 Following the murder of King Duncan , Lady Macbeth 's role in the plot diminishes . When Duncan 's sons flee the land in fear for their own lives , Macbeth is appointed King . Without consulting his Queen , Macbeth plots other murders in order to secure his throne , and , at a royal banquet , the Queen is forced to dismiss her guests when Macbeth hallucinates . In her last appearance , she sleepwalks in profound torment . She dies off @-@ stage , with suicide being suggested as its cause , when Malcolm declares that she died by " self and violent hands . " 
