As well as being a respected soldier of society, he was also loved by his wife. This was the picture we get of Macbeth’s character at the start of the play, ambition changes this.
From this point we start to see Macbeth’s character change. As from when he meets the witches, he was so intrigued by the witches that they led him into a false sense of security, this makes the witches seem trustworthy, Macbeth: ”...stay, you imperfect speakers. Tell me more.”
It is at this point in which we see Macbeth’s character change. When he is awarded Thane of Cawdor, he believes the witches to be true, and wants to become king. Al-though he realises that he can not become king unless he was to kill him. Macbeth’s thoughts contempt him to leave his chances to fate. However when king Duncan announces his succession on Malcolm his eldest son, he realised he could not possibly leave it to fate,
Duncan: “We will establish our estate upon
Our eldest, Malcolm, whom we name
Hereafter the Prince of Cumberland,”
Macbeth then informs his wife of the witches’ prophecy by a letter. This was so by the time he arrives back at his castle, she had already thought up a plan. It’s as if she and her husband are thinking exactly the same thing. She does not hesitate for a moment. But the time he arrives he changes his mind and decides not to kill Duncan, Lady Macbeth implies that he is gutless and cowardly,
Lady Macbeth:” Art thou afeard
To be the same in thine own act and
Valour’ As thou art in desire?”
Macbeth lets his character emerge only to discover his own personality. He becomes very desirous of power and likes the idea of becoming king, his intrigued reaction to the witches shows this.
With Macbeth being very desirous of power wants to please his wife and make her proud of him. With Macbeth and Lady Macbeth only young and recently married, Macbeth still wants to impress her, Lady Macbeth sees this and uses it against him. Lady Macbeth continues implying that he his a coward, this will only outrage Macbeth to eventually doing something, in killing Duncan, which I think is what she wants. Macbeth then starts to feel uncontrolled with this outrage of becoming king. The supernatural starts to play around with Macbeth’s thoughts. The dagger seems to be lending Macbeth to Duncan’s chamber, luring him to kill him. Slipping from his reach he believes he’s meant to do it,
Macbeth:” Is this a dagger which I see before me,
The handle toward my hand? Come, let me
Clutch thee.”
Macbeth fells reluctant to commit into killing Duncan, and criticises his manliness and he feels uneasy. Macbeth starts to be out-manoeuvred by Lady Macbeth and gives in to her desires and pressures, we then see Lady Macbeth start to take control. Macbeth does not actually agree to kill Duncan, al-though Lady Macbeth seems to think he has, this is an example of Lady Macbeth’s complete control.
Macbeth starts to feel uncertain whether or not to kill Duncan, torn by his consciences he does not feel he is doing the right thing. With Duncan being his kinsman and recently rewarding him, Thane of Cawdor, Macbeth feels he can not take Duncan’s life for his own desires. With Duncan being a popular king as well, Macbeth can not take the chance of a public rebellion. Duncan is also a guest in his own home and such he owed with Macbeth’s grace and protection, Macbeth could not possibly kill Duncan in his own house, or could he. It would seem a perfect opportunity to take his throne, to fill his desires. Macbeth’s uncertain thoughts make Lady Macbeth push him to kill Duncan, to fill both their desires, Macbeth starts feel as to be king is his destiny.
The audience sees that Lady Macbeth’s character to be far stronger than Macbeth’s. She has this strong greed to become queen, and manipulates Macbeth to satisfy her own desires. Lady Macbeth calls him to attack his manhood and pride,
Lady Macbeth:” Which thou esteem’st the ornament of life,
And live a coward in thine own esteem.”
The audience also sees Lady Macbeth as a cruel person who takes control over Macbeth. She asks her-self to take out what is good so she can commit evil,
Lady Macbeth knows that she has to steel herself, that the murder will need evil power and evil is not naturally within her. With being cruel and evil, Lady Macbeth is very cunning and creates a simple plan for Macbeth to follow. She plans before and after the murder takes place, to keep in total control.
She becomes very practical after the murder of Duncan, and takes complete control over Macbeth to fulfil her desires. Al-though after Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are rewarded to be King and Queen of Scotland, Lady Macbeth can not seem to control her-self as well as Macbeth. She starts to re-enact the situation of King Duncan’s death, the washing of the hands etc. in her sleep walks at night. On the other hand Macbeth tries to remain normal, I think is shows the true inner strength of the character in dealing with the situation. I don’t think Lady Macbeth realised the consequences of murder, and had a stronger impact on her, than that of Macbeth.
In conclusion to this essay I believe that Lady Macbeth was the real driving force behind the murder of Duncan. It was Lady Macbeth who had the initial idea to kill him, after she was informed by the letter from Macbeth. However they both seemed to have the same initial idea to start off. Al-though Lady Macbeth appeared to be more ambitious than Macbeth, creating an evil character upon her-self. But she wasn’t really a truly evil woman, the fact that she could not kill Duncan due to him looking like her father, proves this. She also called upon the supernatural, to dispense what is good inside her, so she can commit evil. This also proves this.
Although Lady Macbeth may not be truly evil, she is completely responsible. She may not have committed the deed, but the force that she put upon Macbeth, created this crime. She says that it was his idea first to kill Duncan. But in fact it was her initial idea, we know this by looking back at the text. But she makes it out to be Macbeth’s idea. He can not remember if he did, because of the pressure and nervous tension he was going though. With Lady Macbeth and Macbeth’s relationship being so intense, Lady Macbeth picks up on this to push Macbeth further and further. She says he can not love her if he is not to commit the crime, Lady Macbeth makes Macbeth feel bad, which is all part of her plan.
Lady Macbeth also uses shocking and intolerable remarks. She makes the point that she knew the joy of being a mother, and would have given that up for Macbeth to be king. This would be the ultimate sacrifice, to kill her own child. Shakespeare uses this remark to shock the audience, it appals them.
Overall I believe that Lady Macbeth was the true driving force behind the murder, and Macbeth would not of committed the deed if she had not of pushed him. The fact that she keeps prompting him with rhetorical questions and remorseful remarks shows this. She realises that Macbeth doubt needs to be overcome quickly, and this needs extreme measures if they delay one night, the chance is gone.