Character analysis of Macbeth and lady Macbeth and the differences By Neil It is the development of the characters of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth during the play that makes this character study so vital to Macbeth. At the beginning of the play King Duncan hears of Macbeth, the bloody hero. The battle was horrific, but Macbeth was fearless, fighting his way through the enemy and literally cutting the rebel leader in half. King Duncan is suitably impressed by Macbeth's braveness. ôO valiant cousin! Worthy gentleman!ö The audience's initial perception of Lady Macbeth is of a confident and evil woman. In her first scene she is reading a letter from her husband telling her about the witch's predictions. Upon reading the letter she instantly decides to obtain the crown for Macbeth through any possible means. ôGlamis thou art, and Cawdor, and shalt be What thou art promised.ö It is these two bold and sure views of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth that are soon to change. Lady Macbeth forces Macbeth to murder Duncan and when he first refuses, she appeals to his manhood and courage. ôWhen you durst do it, then you were a manö Macbeth eventually gives in with the proposition of being king being too powerful a lure for him. At this stage the audience can deduce that Macbeth is easily subject to persuasion while Lady Macbeth is very persuasive. As the fateful day draws near, Macbeth becomes delusional, picturing visions of blood stained daggers, witches and ghosts. Killing Duncan horrifies him, resulting in him imagining all the consequences of the murder before he commits it, this is due to his vivid imagination, something Lady Macbeth does not have. Lady Macbeth at this point has a stronger inner conviction and uses very powerful antilife phrases in an effort to persuade the evil spirits to make Macbeth kill Duncan. ôCome to my womanÆs breasts And take my milk for gall.ö One would assume here that if one of the two were to have the strength of mind to live through this evil tragedy
