In terms of their relationship, this shows that perhaps there are certain aspects of his wife to which Macbeth is unaware. Throughout the play it is only the audience who is party to Lady Macbeth’s references to the supernatural. This idea unfolds into the ongoing theme of deception throughout the play.
Although Lady Macbeth seems to be the stronger in the relationship, she must still resort of manipulation and coercion to direct Macbeth to the path she wishes him to take. She aggressively attacks his manhood by saying things like “Art thou afraid” and “would’st thou live a coward.” Words like “fear” and ‘cowadr” inflame Macbeth’s pride as a man, and he eventually agrees to Lady Macbeth’s plan. This may show that Lady Macbeth is playing the usual woman’s role in a dramatic relationship and guiding her husband to the path she deems best. Or, more likely, she does not trust her husband’s judgement in this matter and will do all she can to force him down the path she has chosen for him. This aggressive method of persuasion shows almost a lack of respect for her husband and shows that although Macbeth calls his wife “my dearest love”, it is possible that Lady Macbeth does not share his sentiments to the same degree. It is also interesting to note at meantime that Lady Macbeth never tires gently persuasion or honeyed words to sway her husband but rather uses more forceful tactics. This is relevant as the first method is usually very popular in dramatic circumstances.
It is shown in the murder scene that the Macbeths are very capable of working together. When Macbeth realises the has forgotten to plant the daggers on the grooms, he says “I’ll go no more” as he cannot bear to look at the crime scene again. Lady Macbeth immediately takes over with “give me the daggers” and completes the deed herself. This proves that the two are able o work in syndicate with each other and the fact that they can commit murder together proves that they trust each other completely. As they now must bear the truth of the crime together, any relationship without the factors of teamwork and trust could not have been successful in such a venture.
The ideas of teamwork and sharing the secret of Duncan’s death are underlined in the next scene where Lady Macbeth removes attention from Macbeth when talk turns to his killing of the two grooms. By fainting with a cry of “hence ho!” she thwarts the other’s interrogation.
The situation whereby Macbeth receives “advice” and help from his wife is a common factor up until the scene with Banquo’s ghost. This is the last time that Lady Macbeth helps cover for her husband and extinguish suspicion. It is the last time the audience sees the couple interact together as Macbeth begins to move into isolation. Lady Mabeth covers for Macbeth’s apparent lunacy by stating that he is “often thus”, that “the fit is momentary”, and that “he will be well again.” Once again this quick wit and fast talking helps remove suspicion from her husband. But this time Macbeth is unable to comply to Lady Macbeth’s wishes for deception and presenting of calm front. He continues to rant and thus the feast is ended with ill-feeling and suspicion.
Once Lady Macbeth and Macbeth are apart, their relationship quickly deteriorates. Perhaps because of the loss of assistance from his wife in uncomfortable situations, or as a result of his own growing paranoia and numerous violent acts, Macbeth becomes known as a tyrant and slowly becomes devoid of all emotion..
The fact that Macbeth has “almost forgotten the taste of fears” in conjunction with lady Macbeth’s “diseased mind” leads to a total breakdown in the couple’s relationship. Although seeking a doctor to cure Lady Macbeth’s madness as Macbeth instructs to “cure her of that” seems to testify some last vestiges of compassion for his wife, by the end of the play when Lady Macbeth dies Macbeth sees if only as an inconvenience. He says “she should have died hereafter”. This total lack of emotion signals the end of any feelings he may have had for his wife and contrast greatly with his earlier lines such as “dearest cherish”. It shows how much their relationship has changed with the progress of the actions, and shows that it is well and truly ended.
In conclusion, it can be sent that the relationship between the Macbeths changes dramatically from teamwork, trust and questionable affection to separation, isolation and eventually utter indifference. It is their own foul deed of murdering Duncan that bring them together in teamwork and the same deed that leads to Macbeth’s tyranny, Lady Macbeth’s insanity, their consequent separation and the ultimate end of their life and love.