Macbeth and Lady Macbeth

Analytical Essay # 9694

Drama and Theater > English
English > Analysis

An examination of the relationship between the character Macbeth and Lady Macbeth in William Shakespeare's play, "Macbeth".

568 words () | 1 source | 2002 | Canada

Published on: Jan 31, 2003

Paper Summary:

This essay discusses the changes in the relationship between Macbeth and his wife, Lady Macbeth in Shakespeare's tragic play, "Macbeth". It shows that as the events of the play progress, so too does their relationship progress from a loving one to an abnormal and unhappy relationship.

From the Paper:

"In the beginning of the play, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth seem to be deeply in love with one another, as proven by such things as his referring to her as his " dearest partner of greatness" and his wanting to go ahead of everyone to get to his home quickly. In the beginning of the play, Macbeth seems to be the "lesser of two evils" as it may be, and Lady Macbeth seems to be domineering. After the murder of Duncan, Lady Macbeth tries to calm Macbeth down by telling him "These deeds must not be thought so it will make us mad", which is ironic because her own thought so of the murder eventually drive her to suicide. Lady Macbeth begins to manipulate Macbeth and challenges his feelings of guilt and pity for King Duncan and replaces them with malicious and spiteful feelings "look like th'innocent flower, but be the serpent under't". Lady Macbeth now instructs Macbeth on how he should act, encouraging him to be deceitful to Duncan. Macbeth becomes so absorbed in his mixed feelings about the murder that he withdraws from the loving relationship that he had with Lady Macbeth in the beginning of the play."