Discuss the relationship between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth.
Sarah Turner UV
Discuss the relationship between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth.
Macbeth portrays a very strange relationship in which Lady Macbeth has the dominant character. Shakespeare demonstrates this by showing us Macbeth, then Lady Macbeth, and finally the two of them together.
The first time Macbeth is mentioned in the play is in Act One Scene One by the third witch. This could demonstrate right at the beginning of the play that Macbeth is linked with evil. In Scene Two, the Sergeant speaks about "brave Macbeth, " he says, "well he deserves that name." This whole scene is summed up when the King says, "what he hath lost, noble Macbeth hath won." In Scene Three, Macbeth begins to portray the other side of his personality in which he is more questioning and cowardly. However, this is a contrast to his emotions that are shown later, which is that he has great ambitions but he also has a very strong conscience. And in this instance, the two do not go well together. Scene Four is very ironic as the King has false trust in Macbeth, which is striking as Macbeth is plotting treason against the King. Finally, in the first few lines of Lady Macbeth's speech in Act One Scene Five she begins airing her views about Macbeth. This is when she feels that Macbeth is weak and he lacks ambition.
In Act One Scene Five, when the messenger has left in line 43, we see how strong Lady Macbeth's character is, for example she has murderous thoughts. Her strength is proved in line 46 when she says that she is going to unsex herself. With this she means that she is going to get rid of the femininity in her blood, thus causing her subconscious thoughts not to affect her actions. This is because she thinks that women are too weak and gentle to commit a crime or have evil thoughts.
In Act One Scene Five, we ...
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In Act One Scene Five, when the messenger has left in line 43, we see how strong Lady Macbeth's character is, for example she has murderous thoughts. Her strength is proved in line 46 when she says that she is going to unsex herself. With this she means that she is going to get rid of the femininity in her blood, thus causing her subconscious thoughts not to affect her actions. This is because she thinks that women are too weak and gentle to commit a crime or have evil thoughts.
In Act One Scene Five, we see Macbeth being praised and flattered by Lady Macbeth. This is Lady Macbeth's way of trying to convince Macbeth to do as she pleases. Here, she is testing for Macbeth's reaction, but when none comes, Lady Macbeth continues. Macbeth then tells Lady Macbeth that they should be expecting a visit from the King that evening. This brings the first disagreement between the two characters. They throw the responsibility of killing the King to each other, and finally Lady Macbeth takes charge. This shows us from quite early on that Lady Macbeth is the more dominant character.
In Act One Scene Seven, we learn that Macbeth goes back on his word in terms of 'doing the deed.' This frustrates Lady Macbeth, but she still manages to win the argument with her superior character. Lady Macbeth then poses a rhetorical question to Macbeth in which she implies that he is like an adolescent girl be saying that he is "green and pale." Lady Macbeth then reminds Macbeth that he is a brave man in his mind, which shows us that she still does have some trust in him. However, she calls him a coward and says that he changes his mind too much. Macbeth replies to this by saying "Prithee peace," which is very polite in comparison to Lady Macbeth's ______________ comments. Macbeth then produces a witty remark, which loosely means that if he were to do more than a man would do, it would make him an animal. However, it is proved that Lady Macbeth does love and respect her husband, because in line sixty, she says that she would have " plucked my nipple from his [her child's] boneless gum and dashed the brains out had I so sworn." This now is the end for Macbeth, and he gives in. Lady Macbeth now becomes very agitated with Macbeth and tells him to be a man. We see in lines seventy to seventy nine that Lady Macbeth is the character who has all the ideas. For this, Macbeth respects her, even though she is his superior.
Act Two Scene Two, is the scene when Macbeth returns to Lady Macbeth after killing the King. When Macbeth enters, he is relieved and delirious. Lady Macbeth tries to calm Macbeth down on a number of occasions. Lady Macbeth is becoming frustrated with her husband's weakness, and when she finds out that he did not leave the daggers in the decided place, she becomes very annoyed. After Macbeth refuses to take the daggers back, Lady Macbeth calls him a baby. Again, we see Lady Macbeth picking up the mess that was left by her husband, and making everything look normal. However, when Lady Macbeth returns, you see the other side of her character which is more cowardly and scared. Even so, Lady Macbeth will not admit her weakness.
Again, in Act Two Scene Three, we see Lady Macbeth take the attention away from Macbeth. She does this because he is acting in a conspicuous manor.
In Act Three Scene Two, we begin to see the roles revercing, because before Macbeth enters, it is clear that Lady Macbeth is not happy, and that she fears punoshment. However, when Macbeth enters, Lady Macbeth has to forget all of her personal feelings, and concentrate on making sure that Macbeth is happy. This is another oddity in the couple's relationship. This is proved in line thirty one, when Lady Macbeth plays the motherly character, calming down the formerly "brave Macbeth." The audience is aware that Macbeth is planning to have Banquo and Fleance murdered, yet it is strange that in this scene Macbeth does not tell Lady Macbeth of his intentions. This shows that Macbeth is becoming more bloody, and Lady Macbeth is losing control of him.
However, in Act Three Scene Four we see that Lady Macbeth is still the more secure. She still has to for Macbeth in public when he has halucinations of Banquo.
In Act Five Scene One we see Lady Macbeth sleep walking and talking. She is clearly very disturbed about the murders. This shows the divisions in the relationship. When Macbeth is told that his wife is dead, he instantly gives a suicidal speech. It is clear that he feels that she should not have died before him, as he needed her for security and direction. Also, he says that without Lady Macbeth, life is worthless and empty.
