However, Lady Macbeth is worried that Macbeth is too kind and without the evil that needs to combine with his ambition in order to kill the king: “…yet do I fear the nature/It is too full o’th’milk of human kindness”(Line 15). So she realises that she will have to persuade him to carry out regicide and she wants him back quickly so they can “catch the nearest way”(Line 16): “Hie thee hither/That I may pour my spirits in thine ear/And chastise you with thy tongue.”(Line 23-24). In this extract she suggests that she will have to poison his mind.
Lady Macbeth then receives great news that King Duncan will come to their castle tonight. After the attendant, leaves she plans to have the king killed: “The raven himself is hoarse/That croaks the fatal entrance of Duncan…”(Line 36-37). She then calls on evil spirits to help her deadly plans: “Come, you spirits/That tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here/ Fill me from the crown to the toe topfull/Of direst cruelty…”(Lines 38-41). This implies that she wants rid of her feminine, gentle feelings and those to be replaced with evil intentions.
Lady Macbeth wants to make sure that she will not be affected by the consequences after the murder: “Stop up th’access and passage to remorse”(Line 42). Another quotation from the text which suggests that she wants to become more evil is: “Come to my woman’s breasts/And take my milk for gall”(Line 45-46). After suggesting that the murder should be committed in the evening, where the night can “pall thee in the dunnest smoke of hell”, Macbeth enters.
Lady Macbeth treats Macbeth with a lot of prestige calling him Thane of Glamis and Cawdor and bringing up that he will become king. Another example of the love that Macbeth has for Lady Macbeth is illustrated in his reply: “My dearest love…” (Line 57). After hearing that Duncan will be staying the night she takes control of the situation: “O never/Shall sun that morrow see.”(Line 58-59). By saying this Lady Macbeth is telling Macbeth that the king will be killed that night. Lady Macbeth is worried that her husband will give their plan away through his facial expressions so she gives him the advice: “look like the innocent flower/But be the serpent under’t.” (Line 63-64).
Macbeth is not convinced by his wife’s words as is evident in his soliloquy in Act 1 Scene 7: “If it were done when ‘tis done, then ‘twere well/It were done quickly.”(Line 1-2). In this extract Macbeth says that if there were no consequences to the crime he would not be worried about killing the king. He is mainly concerned with the retribution that would be taken on him: “…We still have judgement here, that we but teach/Bloody instructions, which being taught, return/To plague th’inventor.”(Line 8 –10).
Macbeth then seems to try to convince himself that the murder is an immoral thing to do and he begins to suggest reasons as for why he can’t kill the king. “First, as I am his kinsman and his subject/Strong both against the deed…”(Line 13-14). He then insinuates that the should not kill Duncan as he is his guest and he should be protecting him why he stays: “…then, as his host/Who should against his murderer shut the door/Not bear the knife myself.”(Line 14-16). He then says that it would be evil to kill a king of such virtue.
Macbeth, in this soliloquy, also refers a lot to Heaven and the consequences in would have in that respect. He worries about how he would be ruined forever: “The deep damnation of his taking-off.”(Line 20). He is scared about the punishment he would receive from God if he committed regicide: “…We’d jump the life to come.”(Line 7). He expresses the unnaturalness of killing someone who is as innocent as Duncan: “And pity, like a newborn babe/Striding the blast, or heaven’s cherubin horsed/Upon the sightless couriers of the air…”(Line 21-23). Yet even though he knows there are so many reasons why he should not kill the king his “vaulting ambition” motivates him.
When Lady Macbeth enters Macbeth decides that they will “proceed no further in this business”(Line 31). But here we see the full extent of Lady Macbeth’s ambition and her lack of morality. She uses emotional blackmail to persuade her husband to proceed with this ambitious enterprise. Lady Macbeth often questions his courage: “…And live a coward in thine own esteem…”(Line 42). “When you durst do it, then you were a man.”(Line 49).
She makes an analogy to emphasise the importance of Macbeth keeping his word: “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 the brains out, had I so sworn as you /As you have done this.”(Line 54-59). After reassuring him that if he keeps his courage the plan shall not fail, Lady Macbeth suggests that they drug the king’s chamberlains and then blame them for the killing of the king. Macbeth then tells Lady Macbeth that “I am settled”(Line 79).
It is now necessary to study the murder scene. Lady Macbeth confirms in her soliloquy at the start that the guards have been drugged. She though has become energised by the same drink, as she anticipates the return of Macbeth. When Macbeth arrives she is concerned that he has not done the deed. She speaks of how easy it was to kill Duncan and how she would have done it if it did not resemble her “father as he slept”(Line 14). This shows that Lady Macbeth has some humanity.
Macbeth reveals to Lady Macbeth that he has done the deed and asks if she heard anything. She replies that she heard “the owl scream and the crickets cry.”(Line 15). Both of these are associated with death. However it could mean that she heard nothing unnatural. Macbeth begins to become obsessed. He insists that the guards woke up: “one did laugh in’s sleep, and one cried/‘Murder!’”(Line 24-25). He becomes preoccupied because after the guards said “‘God bless us!’ and ‘Amen’…”(Line 29), he could not say ‘Amen’. Lady Macbeth tries to calm Macbeth down: “These deeds must not be thought/After these ways; it will make us mad.”(Line 37-38). She orders Macbeth to return the daggers to the sleepy grooms but he refuses resolutely showing that his conscience will not be overcome by Lady Macbeth’s evil. She angrily returns the daggers herself telling Macbeth his behaviour is childish. This shows that Lady Macbeth is used to having her own way which is portrayed in the play up until this point.
With Lady Macbeth absent, Macbeth realises the extent of his crime; he recognises that the murder was morally wrong and should not just be a path to his power. He also realises that he will regret this for the rest of his life: “Will all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood/clean from my hand? No…”(Line 63-64). Lady Macbeth tells him that she is ashamed “To wear a heart so white”(Line 68) even though her hands are bloody. This shows how callous she is as she is annoyed that she was too weak to carry out the murder herself. Lady Macbeth and Macbeth are faced in the same situation here (blood on their hands) but whereas Macbeth is remorseful, Lady Macbeth calms Macbeth down by showing him how easy it is to clear them of the deed. She then calmly prepares an alibi before answering the door.
In Act 3 Scene 2, a clear role reversal can be seen. Lady Macbeth is troubled, she feels neglected by Macbeth and thinks she deserves a more important role after ensuring Macbeth is crowned king. The seemingly unbreakable bond between the two is showing visible cracks: “Say to the king, I would attend his leisure/For a few words.”(Line 3-4). By not using his name it shows the distance that has grown between them. Although this might be considered just formal, as there is only a servant present, it seems unlikely.
When Macbeth enters, he is asked “…why do you keep alone…”(Line 8). This shows that she is feeling neglected. However Lady Macbeth thinks that Macbeth is still anxious about the killing of the king: “…what’s done, is done.”(Line 12). However, Macbeth, still a little guilty, has the same inventive mind that Lady Macbeth has at the start of the play. He realises that to cover up his guilt he needs to readdress the problem: “ We have scorched the snake, not killed it…”(Line 13). He envies the position of Duncan, now free from the problems that face Macbeth.
Lady Macbeth tries to soothe Macbeth but he ignores it and tells her what to do: “And make our faces vizards to our hearts/Disguising what they are.”(Line 34). Macbeth instructs Lady Macbeth to flatter Banquo, in order to hide his deceitful plans. Lady Macbeth now takes the role of Macbeth pleading him not to continue with the murder. When realising that Macbeth will not change his mind, she shows confidence in him and asks him what she should do. Macbeth tells her to “be innocent of the knowledge”(Line 45). This is exactly what Lady Macbeth tells Macbeth to do when he committed the murder of Duncan. In lines 52-55, there is a rhythm in the words of Macbeth similar to that of the witches. Shakespeare may be trying to convey that the witches prophecies have taken over Macbeth.
In Act 3 Scene 4, we see that although Lady Macbeth is not in control of Macbeth anymore she is still able to handle tense situations. There seems to be tension between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth which can be seen within the first few lines: “…our hostess keeps her state, but in best time we will/require her welcome.”(Line 5-6). Lady Macbeth replies: “Pronounce it for me, sir, to all our friends for my/heart speaks, they are welcome.”(Line 8). Although they are talking in front of the Lords there seems to be tension between the two of them which could be due to the distance in their relationship.
The news of Banquo’s death is reported to Macbeth but also the escape of Fleance, Banquo’s son. This makes Macbeth even more fearful: “Then comes my fit again…”(Line 21). Lady Macbeth suggests that he welcomes his guests but it is not a direct order. This shows that the insecurity of Macbeth, even though it is still there, is less visible to Lady Macbeth and so she knows he will not be ordered.
After conversing with the Lords he sees the Ghost of Banquo. He immediately panics revealing that fear and insecurity: “Thou canst say I did it; never shake/Thy gory lock at me!”(Line 50). Here we see the calmness of Lady Macbeth as she is quick to lie for Macbeth: “My lord is often thus/And hath been from youth.”(Line 53-54). Lady Macbeth again questions Macbeth’s manhood but this time, unlike at the start of the play, Macbeth is not going to be emotionally blackmailed. Lady Macbeth criticizes him once again for his public display of fear. She reminds him that this is the retribution for killing Duncan and Banquo. Such is Lady Macbeth’s calmness she is again able to help Macbeth regain his composure. As he returns to the table, the Ghost of Banquo returns.
Macbeth this time, uses violent language commanding the Ghost away. Lady Macbeth recognises that Macbeth is likely to reveal something and therefore she orders the Lords to leave. Lady Macbeth summarizes that the actions Macbeth has caused: “You have displac’d the mirth, broke the good meeting/With most admir’d disorder.”(Line 108-109). Scotland has lost its formality due to Macbeth, and it has become chaos.
Macbeth, looking for security, turns not to Lady Macbeth but to the witches: “I will tomorrow/And betimes I will - to the weird sisters.”(Line 132-133). He expresses he knows his fear will remain for a long time and he will kill anyone who stands in his way.
Lady Macbeth is in the presence of the doctor in Act 5 Scene 1. The evilness has proved too much. The killing of Lady Macduff and her children has caused Lady Macbeth to breakdown. In this scene she recollects the moments that changed her life during the endless twist of evil and treachery.
She first refers to the blood of Duncan: “Out damned spot! Out, I say!”(Line 30). She then recollects the death of Macduff’s wife and children: “Where is she now? What, will these hands ever be clean?”(Line 37). She also describes the murder of Banquo and the knocking at the door the morning after the death of Duncan.
Lady Macbeth is consumed by fear and guilt. Not only is she guilty because of the part she played in the murder of Duncan, but also changing Macbeth from a faithful, fearless soldier to a cold, callous killer.
Now, having studied the main scenes, it is necessary to reveal detailed changes of the relationship between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. The weakness of Macbeth’s character is his downfall, he is corrupted by the witches’ predictions and by Lady Macbeth’s strong character and ambition. He never loses his conscience or humanity, and it is fair, to say due to Lady Macbeth’s persuasive and calculating ways, he kills the king. Macbeth obviously loves his wife at this stage and respects her because otherwise he would not have been manipulated by Lady Macbeth.
After the first murder, fear begins to motivate Macbeth. His wife becomes of minor importance as he continues with his own quest. Throughout the play we see Macbeth, in times of desperation, need the help of Lady Macbeth. This shows that he still has respect for her. Their love for one another is unquestionable, even after Macbeth is lead astray by fear, he calls her “my dearest love”, “my partner of greatness”, “my dearest chuck”. At the end of Act 3 Scene 4 they share a sentimental moment.
Such is the extent of Macbeth’s fear, they are never given the chance to recover, Macbeth becomes more reliant on the witches as Lady Macbeth feels more and more guilty, a feeling that even a woman of the strongest character cannot handle.
The play suffers a lot of twists, as do the characters, but the one thing that can be applied from the start to the end: “Fair is foul, and foul is fair.”
