The Balance of power between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth

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Macbeth Essay

The Balance of power between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth

For this essay I will analyse the relationship between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth throughout the play Macbeth by William Shakespeare. I will be concentrating on the balance of power between both characters. I will be showing how Macbeth’s power is lost in the middle of the play there Lady Macbeth’s power comes to life. When Lady Macbeth’s power is lost she commits suicide but as Macbeth’s power grows he becomes arrogant and is killed whilst in battle.

         At the beginning of the play Macbeth seems very strong and powerful. This is due to the fact that he had just won in battle defeating the Norwegians. Whilst Macbeth is returning from battle with Banquo he significantly meets the three witches. He is more powerful in life as he has the title Thane of Glamis yet in the relationship he is the weaker partner to begin. When the witches meet Macbeth it is significant as he is on a high due to the fact that he has just won battle and feels very powerful. He feels confident and he believes in himself. They say, “For brave Macbeth-well he deserves that name.” This shows what people think of him.

    Once Macbeth and Banquo first arrive the witches hail him and also then hail Banquo. The first witch says, “All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, Thane of Glamis!” then the second witch says, “All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, Thane of Cawdor!” then the third witch says, “All hail, Macbeth! That shalt be King hereafter.” Macbeth is confused by these phrases but I think that they’re predicting the future. He then questions them by saying “Stay, you imperfect speakers, tell me more: By Sinel’s death I know I am the Thane of Glamis; But how of Cawdor?” This phrase shows that he wants to hear good things about the future. Although by the time he has said this, the witches have vanished. This leaves him pondering on his thoughts of what the witches said. He then starts to predict things to himself. He immediately writes home to his wife and addresses her as “My dearest partner of greatness” This shows that their relationship is equal and he doesn’t assume that he is greater than her as many men of that age did. This quote plays a significant role in the play as it predicts how Lady Macbeth’s character will turn out through the play. It shows that the relationship and the way that they talk to each other will be different than the stereotypical couple in these times.

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         The first mention of Lady Macbeth in the play is when Macbeth writes her a letter. He addresses her as “My dearest partner of greatness”. This then suggests to the audience that she plays a very important part in the play. After reading her husbands’ letter she says “ Yet I do fear thy nature; It is too full o’ the milk of human kindness.” She means that her husband is too kind to act evilly. She then decides to take things into her own hands and calls upon the evil spirits. She wants to be ...

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