Lady Macbeth: Chapter 12  Summary & Analysis

The next morning, guards escort an unwilling Gruadh to a nearby church where Macbeth waits to marry her. Gruadh does not want to marry him but has no agency. Instead, she complains—first that he is married already, and that the events surrounding their marriage are full of bad omens.

Gruadh further complains that she would “prefer to be wed in the old Celtic way, with charms and blessings.” Macbeth agrees, taking her in three circles around the priest “in ancient blessing tradition,” and then points to the rising sun as an “omen.” The priest then marries them in the Catholic tradition. After, the upset Gruadh returns to the fortress at Elgin.

Back in Elgin, Gruadh goes against Macbeth’s commands. She will not stay in her chamber as he has requested, and instead sees to her household. When he informs her that she will leave Elgin and needs to pack, she tells him she is staying.

Gilcomgan’s body and the bodies of his men are returned to Elgin and buried. Gruadh feels numb. She expects that soon Bodhe will avenge her husband and waits for him to send his men. Her thirst for revenge is powerful, and she attributes it to her Celtic heritage, which “demands justice at any cost.” However, the next visitors Elgin receives are a group of the king’s men.