The Relationship between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth forms a central concern in the play.

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The Relationship between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth forms a central concern in the play. This passionate relationship is put to the test by the sheer greed and ambition of the two. However, the real tragedy is that of Macbeth, who was essentially a good man torn apart by his horrendous crime.

In Act 1 Scene 2 we are first told of Macbeth. King Duncan and his sons, Malcolm and Donalbain, anxious to learn the outcome of the battle, meet a bleeding Captain. He describes a strong and mighty warrior who turned around the battle, fighting fiercely he encountered the rebels’ leader, MacDonwald, and slew him, ripping him open. The captain speaks of him with pride,

“But all’s too weak, for brave Macbeth – well he deserves that name”

Macbeth is looked upon as a mighty and ferocious warrior. The King refers to him as “noble Macbeth”. It appears that Macbeth has few problems killing on the battlefield and before we have even met him, we learn of his great courage and skill.

His worthiness and bravery is further highlighted by images of valour and strength, “valour’s minion”. He is admired by his fellow soldiers and the king,

        

“O valiant cousin, worthy gentleman”.

He is invincible in battle, ruthless and bloodthirsty. Listening to the captain, we picture him as revelling in the slaughter. Nevertheless, Duncan is overjoyed with Macbeths double victory and generously rewards him with the forfeited titles and lands of the traitor Cawdor.

Macbeth is compared to the eagle and the lion, creatures admired for their power and beauty, both predators. He is likened to an overcharge cannon on the battlefield.

All this talk of a hero heightens the readers desire to meet this mighty warrior in the flesh.

I picture Macbeth as a tall, handsome warrior with a fierce look about him. I imagine him to immediately impose a sense of dominance and power on those surrounding him.

In scene 3, Macbeth is stunned into silence by the witches greeting. Clearly their words have touched a nerve for Macbeth. After hearing of his new title he becomes immediately curious and challenges the witches,

“Stay you imperfect speakers, tell me more.”

Macbeth absorbed in thought considering how his kingship might be achieved, reveals his secret ambition and the idea of regicide is planted. However, the Thane of Glamis is essentially a good man, and such a “horrid image” is repulsive to his conscience.

In the stage performance Macbeth is standing centre-stage unmoving, he allows one witch to prod him rather aggressively, this emphasises his preoccupation with the witches message. Banquo however moves nervously around the stage brandishing his sword recklessly.

In Macbeth’s castle at Inverness we discover his wife reading a letter from her husband. In it, he tells her of his extraordinary encounter with the witches and of their prophecies, one of which has already come true.

From her initial reaction after reading the letter, we can see that she is very ambitious, burning in unquenchable desire to bear the name of queen. The letter tells us much about the relationship between Macbeth and his wife. Macbeth addresses her as ‘my dearest partner of greatness’. Clearly Macbeth trusts and respects his wife, seeking to confide in her and treating her as his equal. Lady Macbeth does not disregard the letter but instead she fully digests its contents and tempts herself to what might be. She shows immense knowledge of her husband’s character and fears only that he might not be ruthless enough to kill,

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“What thou wouldst highly, that wouldst thou holily”,

As we read on, we can see her courage, her will power and her thirst for greatness. We hear how she plans to persuade her husband to go along with her gruesome plan,

“That I may pour my spirits in thine ear, and chastise with the valour of my tongue all that impedes thee from the golden round”,

Lady Macbeth goes on to break all bonds between herself and the human nature; she dedicates herself to superhuman evils. She cries out and pleas to evil spirits to come ...

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