How Does Lady Macbeth Influence Her Husband to Killing King Duncan in Act 1 Scene 5 and Act 1 Scene 7?

strong relationship. Macbeth trusts his wife in that she will not show anyone the letter (“that thou mightst not lose the dues of rejoicing by being ignorant of what greatness is promised thee. Lay it to thy heart and farewell.”) Greatness is promised thee, means the power of ruling a kingdom. As there is a risk of treason in the letter. After reading the letter Lady Macbeth begins her soliloquy; her response was direct and she is absolutely determined; “Glamis thou art…” Lady Macbeth also shows that she knows her husband well; as she analyses his nature, fearing that he is too decent and squeamish to murder King Duncan for the crown. He can kill on the battle field but he will not have the nature to kill in cold blood. Both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are extremely ambitious we know this because he sent her the letter – he was excited and could not wait. Lady Macbeth decides that she will influence Macbeth in killing the king; without thinking of the consequences “hie thee hither, that I may pour my spirits in thine ear.” The attendant gives news to Lady Macbeth about the king’s arrival “the king come here tonight” At first she did not believe the attendant but then replies “Give him tending, he brings great news.” Lady Macbeth realises that she has to act quickly (“the fatal entrance of Duncan”) so she invokes on evil spirits to assist her murderous plans. She asks for her femininity to be removed so that she feels no sorrow or guilt “unsex me here and fill me from the crown to the toe topfull of direst cruelty; make thick me blood…” Lady Macbeth’s line seems to be like a witches; it sounds like a witches spell. After this Macbeth arrives at the castle, Lady Macbeth does not congratulate him on his win in the battle, but greets him with thoughts of future greatness, and repeats the witches prophecy “Great Glamis, worthy Cawdor, Greater than both by the all-hail hereafter…. I feel now the future in the instant.” Macbeth greets her lovingly and reminds her of King Duncan’s arrival. She asks when he leaves, he replies “Tomorrow, as he wishes” Lady Macbeth; being very determined replies “O never. Shall sun that morrow see…” After this Lady Macbeth gives Macbeth a ‘lesson on deception’ she says to Macbeth “Your face my thane, is a book where men ay read strange matters. To beguile the time, look like the time, bear welcome in your eye, your hand, your tongue; look like th’innocent flower, but be the serpent under’t.” She tells him to hide his evil intentions (if he has any?!) she is trying to change his innocent nature, which is manipulation. Macbeth does not answer her he is not sure about her plans “We will speak further” He probably did not reply with a certain answer because he is scared of disappointing his wife with an answer she does not want to hear. Lady Macbeth then says, “Only look up clear; to alter favour ever is to fear. Leave all the rest to me.” She is taking control. Lady Macbeth is very resolute, she is also prepared to act dishonestly and unprincipled way. In the beginning of Act one Scene seven Macbeth is struggling with his conscience: thinking desperately about the purposed murder; to kill or not to kill. In his soliloquy he goes through the reasons why he shouldn’t commit murder. In the script there are seven distinctive reasons why he should not kill King Duncan. Vengeance: “…Bloody instructions, which being taught, return to plague th’inventor” – the killer will be killed. Kinship and loyalty: “I am his kinsman and his subject, strong both against the deed” – you don’t kill your relatives; you don’t kill your king. Hospitality, “as his host, who should against his murder shut the door. Not bear knife himself.” – a host doesn’t kill his guest. King Duncan’s good qualities: “this Duncan hath borne his faculties so meek, hath been so clear in his great office, that his virtues will plead like angels” – you don’t kill a virtuous king. Religion: “damnation of his taking-off” “We’d jump the life to come” – the killer is damned for eternity. Pity and Horror: “I have no spur to prick the sides of my intent” – murder is unnatural to innocent humanity and to heaven. The only justification for Macbeth committing this murder is ‘AMBITION’. Macbeth thinks through the consequences (unlike his wife) and decides not to proceed with the killing of King Duncan. Macbeth tells his wife of his decision not to kill the king, “We will proceed no further of this business.” Lady Macbeth, who is not pleased, begins to attack his weaknesses; she accuses him of cowardice and lack of manliness. “Art thou afeard…a coward in thine own esteem.” This is not true, it is said to manipulate Macbeth. He is a hero a warrior, brave in the battlefield. Lady Macbeth concludes with violent images and language. Lady Macbeth would kill her own child rather than break such a promise. “I have given suck and know how tender ‘tis to love the babe that milks me: I would, while it was smiling in my face, Have plucked my nipple from his boneless gums and dashed his brains out, had I sworn as you have done this.” This implies that Lady Macbeth would kill her own child rather than break a promise to a person she loves. Macbeth then re-considers; and asks, “If we should fail?” Lady Macbeth then re-assures and explains and outlines the murder plan. Macbeth’s final words echo Lady Macbeth’s earlier advice, “Bring forth men-children only.” Therefore decides to go on and kill King Duncan. Lady Macbeth was very successful in persuading her husband to kill the king. She taunted his masculinity and she taught him to be false she taught him to be deceptive. She used Macbeth’s affection for her, to manipulate him. She knew his nature and she was knowledgeable. She was also unsuccessful, as she never lived to be queen for long, she committed suicide through guilt, and she was not as evil as she thought herself to be.