There is a substantial amount to be learned about Macbeth within this scene, as the perception of Macbeth through the Captain's eyes in 1:2 is quite contradictory to Lady Macbeth's perception of him in 1:5. The Captain makes it more than obvious that he thinks highly of Macbeth, referring to him as "Valour's minion", or in plain terms, fortune's favourite - maintaining that Macbeth is a lucky man and has a great destiny ahead of him. We see discreet biblical references within the Captain's words when speaking of Macbeth, he talks of Golgotha, the hill upon which Jesus was said to be crucified. Whether he is comparing Macbeth to such a man is not completely certain, though it could be seen as an exaggerated compliment towards Macbeth and his willingness to fight for his cause. However, Lady Macbeth contradicts the Captain's description of a brave and ruthless man, referring to Macbeth as being "too full o' th' milk of human kindness". There are various references to milk within this scene, milk being white, hinting upon innocence, and associated with motherhood, kindness and nuturing. In the same scene that she makes this comment she calls upon 'spirits' to take her "milk for gall", thus removing any innocence left inside her, and replacing it with a poison.
However, this can also be seen as a further wish to be "unsexed" as she requests at the beginning of the soliloquy, "Come, you spirits that tend to mortal thoughts, unsex me here,", such a plea would have been extremely disturbing to a 17th century audience; as there was a lot of superstition around the theme of witchcraft and witches, and the simillarities between Lady Macbeth and the Weird Sisters seems to be growing ever more. We can see the link between the blurring of gender and witches in 1:3 where Banquo comments "you should be women, And yet your beards forbid me to interpet That you are so.". The idea that the witches are either Asexual or hemaphrodites seems to originate from here.
Also within this text we see many references to masking and concealment; in the final two lines of Lady Macbeth's soliloquy [and shortly after when Macbeth enters the scene], where she summons "thick night" to "pall thee in the dunnest smoke of hell". In this quote in particular there is clear iambic pentameter, making various parts of the quote ring out to the audience, which is a common literary device used by Shakespeare in his writing. Comments such as "That my knife see not the wound it makes" indicate a wishful blindness or ignorance to the foreboding events. References to concealment through garments and disguise can also be seen after Macbeth enters the scene. Lady Macbeth shows clear dominance when she begins to brief Macbeth as to what she plans to do in order to to achieve what they both want, power.
"Your face my thane, is a book, where men
May read strange matters. To beguile the time,
Look like the time, bear welcome in your eye,
You hand, your tongue: look like th'innocent flower,
But be the serpent under't."
We begin to see Lady Macbeth's more cunning, manipulative side. In the bold we see Lady Macbeth's instruction to her husband. In order for her plan to run smoothly she needs to ensure that they are inconspicuous, hence she has instructed Macbeth to appear to be innocent and welcoming to Duncan, giving no reason to believe that he would commit such a heinious crime. As above, we see further reference to masking and disguise, a theme that runs throughout the play.
At the beginning of 1:7 Macbeth launches into soliloquy. He potrays to the audience his fears and reasons with himself as to why he should not undertake such an act of treason. Many of the reasons he does give are based around his own morals, which the audience would have found easy to relate to, as honour and loyalty to the crown would have been seen as extremely important.
"First as I am his kinsman and his subject,
Strong both against the deed; then, as hs host,
Who should against his murderer shut the door,
Not bear the knife myself."
In the first two lines Macbeth clearly states his loyalty to Duncan, yet we see an avoidance of the word murder, refering to it as "the deed". This only emphasizes his fear and cowardice and can be seen throughout the whole of his soliloquy, refering to murder as "it", "th'assasination", "his surcease", "end-all". In the second half of the quotation we see Macbeth drawing upon the irony and stark contradiction in what he should be doing as one of Duncan's subjects, protecting him against such crimes rather than commiting them for his own benifit. Lastly he adds,
“Besides, this Duncan
Hath borne his faculties so meek, hath been
So clear in his great office, that his virtues
Will plead like angels, trumpet-tongued, against
The deep damnation of his taking-off;
And pity, like a naked new-born babe,”
In this quote we see Macbeth commenting on Duncan's innocence and kindness, drawing upon the fact that murdering such a man would cause great disturbance to his peoples and indeed provoke a tremendous outcry. Contrasting images of Heaven and Hell are clearly present within Macbeth's soliloquy. We see Macbeth make references to angels, and later commenting on damnation - comparing and contrasting the death of Duncan with the birth of a baby, inducing great emotion.
Shortly after Macbeth's soliloquy Lady Macbeth enters the scene. She is keen to put words into actions - yet is angered and let down almost instantly by Macbeth after hearing his reply, she is quick to take control of the situation and eventually convinces him to carry out his original promise. She uses a lot of tact in persuading Macbeth, initially playing on his emotions and questioning his love and loyatly to her. "What beast was't then that made you break your enterprise to me?" Here she points out to Macbeth that he had sworn he would follow through in the undertaking of this deed, she is questioning why he would lie to her. "Was the hope drunk Wherein you dressed yourself? Hath it slept since?" She asks how Macbeth could change his mind so suddenly, she asks him if the proposition was merely drunken ambition which has since faded. ("slept", sleep is something that will later plague Macbeth). When she notices that she has affected Macbeth with these words she proceeds to accuse him of cowardice,
“Art thou afeard to be in the same on thine own act and valour as
thou art in desire”
She asks Macbeth whether he is really worthy of his name. He is renowned for his courageous behaviour and bravery on the battle field, yet shows such fear in commiting to something he had sworn to do. This is an important part in Lady Macbeth's attack when trying to persuade Macbeth, as in order to gain such a rank and furthermore such commendation from his fellows he is required to be worthy of such a role, to be brave and show cold blooded ambition on the battle field. Lady Macbeth plays on this and asks why he cannot make such commitment outside the field.
“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
Have done to this.”
This is probably one of the most shocking statements by Lady Macbeth in the whole of the play. She has proven to be the complete opposite to any archetypical female, let alone wife of the time. The imagery used is extremely violent, and most likely used as a shock tactic by Lady Macbeth to really strike Macbeth with what she is saying. Shakespeare most likely used the imagery to shock and dismay the audience, and to expose the evil driving force behind the Macbeths' plan to come to the throne. She also emphasizes the fact, that had she made promise to Macbeth that she would undertake a deed, she would do so no matter the consequences. She uses this example, however hypothetical it may be to ensure Macbeth understands the sincerity in what she is saying. Using such persuasive tact on her own husband only accentuates her domineering and manipulative character. Lady Macbeth is anxious to persuade Macbeth, as the delay of one night could jepordise their chance of being able to carry through their plans.
“But screw you courage to the sticking place, And we’ll not fail” In saying something so simple Lady Macbeth plans to comfort Macbeth, she presents to him her plan, assuring him that there will be no obstacles along the way. She intentionally places pressure on Macbeth and convinces him to commit the deed.
“I am settled, an bend up Earth corporal agent to this terrible feat.
Away, and mock the time with fairest show:
False face must hide what the false heart doth know."
With this quote Macbeth closes the scene. He has been successfully persuaded by Lady Macbeth to carry out the murder. The audiences' view of Lady Macbeth has stooped once again, she seems to be playing the role of the serpent in enticing Macbeth unto evil. References to such behaviour on Lady Macbeth's part are only echoed in Macbeth's closing lines in the scene, linking directly back to the quote in 1:5;
“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"
At the opening of 2:2 Lady Macbeth appears to be mildly intoxicated, the drink she had given to the chamber men she had also ingested, giving her the courage and rebelliousness to undertake this murderous deed alongside her partner. Such a need for courage shows a weakness in Lady Macbeth's seemingly relentless manner.
“That which hath made them drunk, hath made me bold, what hath
quenched the hath given me fire”
The audience soon learn that Lady Macbeth's apparently collected and prepared attitude is not as strong as first anticipated. They can see signs of this when she is startled by the "owl that shrieked" and shows a need for drink in order to aid Macebeth in carrying out the murder. Only to make these faults in her seemingly inpenetrable infrastructure more prominent, Lady Macbeth admits to the fact that she had the chance to have killed Duncan herself, yet did not, “Had he not resembled / my father as he slept. I had done’t”. Lingering morality shows through in saying this and her previous fright brings to the fore her more humane side. The audience's feelings towards Lady Macbeth may contrast here, though the majority will most probably feel a short lived sympathy for her after she demonstrates that she does still cling to some form of human emotion and morale.
In 2:2 we see an anxiety ridden and traumatized Macbeth. He cannot believe that he has just killed Duncan and believes that the deed will scar him forever, making various references to cleansing and water.
"Will all great Neptune's ocean wash this blood
Clean from my hand? No; this my hand will rather
The multitudinal seas incardine,
Making the green one red."
This is a particularly dramatic excerpt from 2:2, here the audience see the extent of Macbeth's guilt and how his conscience continues to plague him. Macbeth explains how no amount of water could ever clean the blood from his guilty hands and that if he did try to it would only expose the deed to all. Here Shakespeare uses various literary forms and great imagery to exemplify Macbeth's emotions, we see use of different utterances and contrasting colour helping the viewer depict the scene Macbeth describes. However, Lady Macbeth's feelings at this point are in stark contrast to Macbeth's, she shows no remorse in the slightest, saying that "A little water cleans us of this deed".
The banquet scene (3:4) is a turning point in the play, from here after Lady Macbeth's character devolves, we see a once strong minded and dominant character turning into one which is incapable of holding her ground. During the banquet in 3:4 Macbeth sees the ghost of Banquo present at the table, sitting at his place. Everybody else at the table is oblivious to such visions and are confused by Macbeth's strange behaviour. This is a dangerous point in the play for Macbeth, as he almost exposes the fact that he had had Banquo killed to everyone at the table when he says "Thou canst not say I did it: never shake Thy gory locks at me". Ross tries to excuse Macbeth and end the banquet, however Lady Macbeth quickly takes control of the situation and assures the people present that Macbeth is just a little ill and asks them to stay seated and ignore his odd behaviour so he can have time to gather himself.
"The fit is momentary, upon a thought
He will again be well: if much you note him,
You shall offend him and extend his passion;
Feed, and regard him not"
Shortly after this we can see that this incident has infuriated Lady Macbeth as she asks him in her aside, "Are you a man?", here we can see a brief echoing of her words before Duncan's murder. Lady Macbeth tries to attack his masculinity by questioning it,
"Why do you make such faces? When all's done,
You look but on a stool."
She mocks Macbeth for creating such a scene when there is evidently nothing there. There is a feeling of irony after this incident as Lady Macbeth assures him that all he needs is sleep - though Macbeth has "murdered sleep" and blatantly, Banquo has risen from his. At the banquet Lady Macbeth is anxiously trying to cover her husband's behaviour. It is almost unquestionable that his actions are making her insecure, and we can see when she is taunting Macbeth that she is weary. In contrast to her powerful speeches in 1:5 for example, here all that she can reason is that Macbeth needs sleep. Once the ghost has left the audience bare witness to a huge reversal of roles. After such an experience with the 'supernatural', Macbeth comes to the conclusion that he cannot be fightened by nor harmed by anything or anyone in the natural world. Making such a realisation, Macbeth shows a clear change in attitude as he expresses that he is "a man again".
We do not meet Lady Macbeth again until this 5:1. She has now been reduced to a poor, mad creature, broken by events - most likely the result of being apart from Macbeth and being plagued by a guilty conscience. Lady Macbeth has started sleepwalking, her sleep too has been murdered. In last hope the Gentlewoman has called for a doctor to see if she can be helped. Lady Macbeth enters shortly after with a "taper", a candle which is a symbol of hope and purity. This would have emphasized significance to a 17th century audience as it would show that Lady Macbeth is in search of purification and redemption from her past deeds and guilty conscience. Lady Macbeth is obsessed with cleansing her hands, insisting that the blood once upon them can never be removed, “What will these hands ne’er be cleaned?” this contrasts with her initial statement after killing Duncan, that "a little water cleans us of the deed". In this scene Lady Macbeth speaks in prose, Shakespeare rarely uses prose, unless someone of a lower class is speaking - this only emphasizes the extent of Lady Macbeth's devolution since her entrance in 1:5. The manner in which Lady Macbeth converses with other characters within this scene is clearly the result of her delirium. Her utterances seem to be primarily echoes of past conversations, her speech is also noticeably fragmented, only highlighting her current state of mind. “One: Two: why, then’ tis time to do’t. Hell is murky! Fie, my lord, fie! A soldier, and afeard?” Lady Macbeth's pitiful and vulnerable state is only exposed further when she describes the murder of Duncan, “Yet who would have / thought the old man to have had so much blood in him?”. The audience only truly see the severity of her illness when she asserts “The thane of Fife had a wife,” the deed of sheer brutality that she is describing is in somewhat of a contrast to the childlike manner in which she describes it. The Doctor eventually comes to the conclusion that Lady Macbeth needs redemption from her guilty past, as this is what is causing such unnatural behaviour. He believes that the only way she will be cured is through God's mercy, and states that in this unusual case a doctor is of little use. “More needs she the divine than the Physician:” . The most pity the audience feel for Lady Macbeth is more than likely in 5:5, as they can see Macbeth's final words for her are (most likely) uttered in an indifferent tone, possibly with the feeling that she eventually became a lost cause "She should have died hereafter; There would have been time for such a word.". Perhaps the audience eventually feel pity for Lady Macbeth, but only a pity that lives within the confines of her hardness and cruelty. Can true pity be felt for such a woman?
Throughout the play Lady Macbeth is potrayed as an evil, manipulative woman - often compared with the Weird Sisters to accentuate the illegitimate means in which she gains power. Contrary to this, one can also see Lady Macbeth as an object of pity, she is a character whose ambition drove her to fight against herself - her desire forcing her to repress her feelings of guilt in order to stay strong. Such repression eventually takes its toll on Lady Macbeth, as we see in 5:1 she is left in a pitiful state of hysteria, unable to control her actions and in desperate search of any form of redemption. Such a wish for purification eventually leads her to take her own life, or so it is believed. The disentigration of Lady Macbeth's character may be seen by the audience as a moral to the play, it seems to warn of the dangers that women in power pose. It appears that women in power in this patriarchal society are demonised if they step out of the conforms of the "Natural Order", it will supposedly cause great unrest. Throughout the scenes leading up to Duncan's murder indirect comparisons between Lady Macbeth and "Eve" the biblical character can be seen. In persuading Macbeth to kill Duncan Lady Macbeth appears as Eve, the servant of the serpent, tempting Adam into damnation. Such biblical references would have been particularly striking to a primarily Christian audience in Jacobean England, though may be less noticeable to a modern society.
