How did the relationship between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth change and develop during the course of the play?

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How did the relationship between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth change and

develop during the course of the play?

        The relationship between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth alters throughout the play.  At the beginning of the play Macbeth and Lady Macbeth were very close and loving.  Lady Macbeth showed that she was supportive to Macbeth and encouraged him to kill Duncan in order to clear all obstacles that would get in the way of Macbeth becoming King!  

        Macbeth is introduced as a brave soldier who is devoted to his King, while Lady Macbeth is introduced as a kind and loving wife, who underneath is actually a scheming and deceitful woman!

        At the beginning of the play, Lady Macbeth receives a letter from her husband about the witches' prophecies.  At this point in the play it is obvious that Macbeth and his wife are very close because in the letter Macbeth refers to her as "My dearest partner of greatness."

        While reading the letter, Lady Macbeth says,

"Yet do I fear thy nature; It is too full o' the milk of human kindness to catch the nearest way."

        Lady Macbeth wanted to take the quick and dirty route to royalty by killing King Duncan, but she didn't think Macbeth could do it.  

        Macbeth is not naturally inclined to perform malicious deeds, especially killing a good King and friend in order to gain power or wealth, but he is very ambitious and mentally weak.

        Lady Macbeth's strong power was used to effortlessly persuade Macbeth to kill Duncan.  Lady Macbeth was far more determined than her husband to gain power and royalty and because of this, she was able to encourage him to commit the murder.  She taunted him, and made fun of everything that he cared about, because she knew that her husband's kindness made him weak and susceptible to guilt that could prevent him from murdering Duncan.  She manipulated Macbeth and challenged his feelings of guilt, trying to replace them with spiteful feelings. She says:

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"Look like th' innocent flower, but be the serpent under't."

        She tells Macbeth to put on a pleasant face and leave the rest to her.  This shows that Lady Macbeth is the dominant character in the relationship at this point in the play.

        Lady Macbeth ordered her husband around, instructing him on how he should act, and encouraging him to betray his loyal and trusting leader, Duncan.  I think one of the main reasons Lady Macbeth tried so hard to persuade Macbeth to kill Duncan was because she wanted the power and glory that came with being ...

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