Macbeth Assignment
"Lady Macbeth is the real driving force behind the murder of Duncan".
Discuss this statement and decide whether or not you agree.
From the beginning of this play we can sufficiently judge the character of Lady Macbeth. As evident in her early soliloquies 1 we can see that she is of a somewhat manipulative nature as she was already plotting to kill Duncan prior to Macbeth's return home.
In my opinion she is a very conniving individual. She plans ahead and understands that Macbeth will kill Duncan. She is a bit too certain of it I think. It almost seems as if she had it planned for some time. Maybe not that the witches would talk to Macbeth but that Macbeth would heed her constant badgering2. She even goes as far as to insult his masculinity, an act surely designed to solicit the required response.3 This kind of insult would give maximum offence to a man like Macbeth. He has proven he is a brave and heroic soldier who can take life when he needs to so, a coward he is not. He is also Thane of both Cawdor and Glamis, a rank which ensures the respect of others. I think she also uses Macbeth's adoration of her to convince him. She certainly appears to be capable of doing anything to achieve her own ambitions.
"Lady Macbeth is the real driving force behind the murder of Duncan".
Discuss this statement and decide whether or not you agree.
From the beginning of this play we can sufficiently judge the character of Lady Macbeth. As evident in her early soliloquies 1 we can see that she is of a somewhat manipulative nature as she was already plotting to kill Duncan prior to Macbeth's return home.
In my opinion she is a very conniving individual. She plans ahead and understands that Macbeth will kill Duncan. She is a bit too certain of it I think. It almost seems as if she had it planned for some time. Maybe not that the witches would talk to Macbeth but that Macbeth would heed her constant badgering2. She even goes as far as to insult his masculinity, an act surely designed to solicit the required response.3 This kind of insult would give maximum offence to a man like Macbeth. He has proven he is a brave and heroic soldier who can take life when he needs to so, a coward he is not. He is also Thane of both Cawdor and Glamis, a rank which ensures the respect of others. I think she also uses Macbeth's adoration of her to convince him. She certainly appears to be capable of doing anything to achieve her own ambitions.