MACBETH
Relationship between Macbeth and
Lady Macbeth
Who’s in charge?
-Lady Macbeth is his ambition and drive personified
How does the relationship between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth change throughout
the play?
In the beginning of the play the couple share a loving and strong bond; however this
contrast to the end of the play as the relationship which once was a strong is
weakened as the couple no longer have importance in each other’s life.
At the beginning of the play Macbeth displays his love and passion for his wife Lady
Macbeth as he writes her a love letter; in the letter he shares his achievements with
Lady Macbeth, the couple are united. Macbeth displays his affection for Lady
Macbeth in his letter.
“My Dearest partner of greatness”
(Act 1 scene 5, line 10)
Macbeth greets Lady Macbeth by addressing her greatly, this shows Macbeth thinks
highly and is very admiring of his wife. ‘He shows that he is proud of the
relationship he shares with Lady Macbeth. Macbeth also indicates his strong desire
of becoming royalty which he and his wife share, by addressing Lady Macbeth
royally.
Macbeth shows his dedication and affection for Lady Macbeth as he writes the letter
to her containing his emotions and praise for his wife he shows that he is committed.
In the letter Macbeth shares his experiences with his wife as he informs her about
his encounter with the witches as they predict that he will become Thane of Cawdor
and also that he will become king. He discusses this with Lady Macbeth as he
believes the witch’s predictions to be true.
“Referred me to the coming on of time, with “Hail, king that shalt be”
(Act 1 scene 5, line 9)
Macbeth is excited and shares his brooding of becoming king with Lady Macbeth;
he shows excitement and determination to fulfil their dream of ruling the kingdom,
with the help and strength of his wife.
Macbeth meets the witches
Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are on exactly the same wavelength - so close they can
almost read each other's thoughts when they are apart. Something from his letter to
her, end of act I, sc v
Planning the murder (early act II)
Their relationship becomes even more intense - a passionate, obsessive, almost
sexual excitement exists between them at this time. (Just before the murder.) Act I,
sc vii
The morning after the murder
Lady Macbeth appears shocked by Macbeth's killing of the guards. Suddenly she
feels that the situation is getting out of control and Macbeth is becoming more
violent. This is the first time we sense they are growing apart. Macbeth “I am afraid
to think what I have done; look on’t again, I dare not”
After the coronation
The time before the banquet is troubled. They are not sleeping. Macbeth begins to
plan and think alone and shuts out Lady Macbeth from his thoughts. Act III, sc ii
The banquet
Lady Macbeth can do nothing to help him. At the end of the scene, she and her
husband are no longer a partnership. He is determined to go back to the witches; all
she can do is try to make him normal again.
After the banquet III, iv, 60
There follows a long period when all Lady Macbeth can do is watch as Macbeth
continues killing.
Lady Macbeth's madness and death: the isolation and the guilt have driven her mad.
Out, damned spot! (search this line electronically in the script)
Macbeth's death
Macbeth realises that his life no longer has any meaning and calmly faces his own
death at the hands of Macduff.
A note from Ja: This is terrific stuff – so good that it almost makes me feel it’s been
cut and pasted from Spark Notes or some other good site. Not that I mind, since the
stuff you’ve got here really is good and would help with your essay. Be careful to put
it into your own words. If I’m wrong and you wrote this yourselves, then I am very
impressed indeed and apologise grovelingly.