Macbeth - The Sleepwalking Scene

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Gemma Jones

Macbeth

In this extract from the question, Lady Macbeth and Macbeth both hold very different opinions about the murder of Duncan, which has just taken place.  Macbeth says ‘Wake Duncan with thy knocking: I would thou couldst!’ here Macbeth is saying if he could wake up Duncan he would because as he becomes more aware of the enormity of the crime he has committed, his feeling of guilt and regret grows stronger.

Lady Macbeth, however, reacts very differently and while Macbeth realises and regrets what he has done, Lady Macbeth seems to grow in confidence.  She doesn’t seem to hold the emotions of a woman because even though such a terrible thing has happened, she doesn’t ponder on it but carries on giving orders and instructions to Macbeth, unfazed by the murder that has just occurred.

        Macbeth appears cowardly as Lady Macbeth tells him ‘to wear a heart to white’ meaning that he bears a cowardly heart.  Here it is clear that the roles of Husband and Wife have changed.  At the beginning of the play the idea of killing Duncan which was provoked by the witches predictions was made by Macbeth.  As Lady Macbeth hears of the plan she is keen for it to go ahead and overpowers his fears and anxieties to persuade him to murder Duncan.  She challenges his manhood using a proverb saying ‘letting “I dare not” wait upon “I would”, Like the poor cat I’ the adage?’ and questioning whether he is a man because he lacks the courage to actually kill Duncan instead of talking and thinking about it.  This is what finally convinces Macbeth, that as well as getting what he wants from it he will also convince Lady Macbeth how manly he is by killing Duncan.  However, since Lady Macbeth plans the whole thing it doesn’t really prove Macbeths courage or responsibility as the husband.  

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        As the play progresses, it appears that Lady Macbeths influence she holds over Macbeth seems to diminish because she doesn’t appear in many of the scenes after the murder.  In act 3 the first signs of doubt and insecurity show in Lady Macbeth as she says ‘Tis sager to be that which we destroy, than by destruction dwell in doubtful joy’.  Here Lady Macbeth is saying that the happiness they have achieved by committing the crime is wavering and is not real joy.  She feels that the despair they have achieved is of no worth without happiness.

        After this, Macbeth ...

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