End Of The Play Lady Macbeth example essay topic

Throughout Shakespeare's Macbeth the relationship between Lady Macbeth and Macbeth changes dramatically. I think as the play develops they begin to handle their emotions differently, particularly after Duncan's murder. At the beginning of the play Lady Macbeth and Macbeth appear to dwell on one another. This is illustrated in two specific quotations, one where Lady Macbeth refers to Macbeth during Scene 5 as "too full of the milk of human kindness". She claims that Macbeth is very kind and a worthy gentleman.

Also during this scene Macbeth uses affectionate words to Lady Macbeth, "my dearest partner of greatness'. This to me says that the word 'partner' is used since Macbeth and Lady Macbeth share everything. However this all change... Just as the play progresses Lady Macbeth is seen as a very controlling and strong-minded person. Although she seems to be very certain of Macbeth saying that "Shalt be what thou art promised", in my opinion this gives over an impression that the status she has in the relationship is more like the she is the one 'wearing the trousers'.

This is because it appears she is able to pressure Macbeth into doing things that he would not do on his own. After reading Macbeth's letter that told of the witches' prophecy she orders Macbeth to become what the witches have predicted whether or not it is what he wants or will achieve, even though Macbeth trusted only in her by showing her the letter. We see just how powerful and demanding Lady Macbeth is at the scene of Duncan's murder when she tells her husband to murder the king. When we are introduced to Macbeth at the beginning of the play we are told that he is a soldier who is definitely no stranger to any danger. I think Macbeth knows the difference between right and wrong therefore he feels that murdering a good friend / king in order to gain power and wealth is not very righteous. At first when Lady Macbeth suggests killing the king he is very unsure to what to do and so tells her he will not do it, "we will speak further".

Yet manipulative as Lady Macbeth can be soon persuaded Macbeth, nevertheless it seemed rather unfair that she couldn't do it herself. Lady Macbeth says, "Had he not resembled my father as he slept, I had done't". I believe that Lady Macbeth did not truly mean this as in reality in my opinion she would be too cowardly to do the deed herself, I think this is a first sign of weakness. Macbeth's character changed as the play went on. After killing Duncan, it's as though he felt empowered and as a result of this began killing more and more people as time went on. From this moment he was led to doing things on his own and did not let Lady Macbeth order him around anymore, it was like he was a changed person, "At least we " ll die with harness on our back".

By this time Macbeth and Lady Macbeth had grown apart. Macbeth becomes so absorbed with the murders that he withdraws from the loving relationship he and Lady Macbeth had more of at the beginning of the play. At the banquet Macbeth sees a ghost of the loyal friend he had ordered to be killed. It is if though Macbeth retreats and thinks about what he has become before saying, "Prithee, see there! Behold, look, lo! How say you!" This is when Lady Macbeth then tries to cover up Macbeth's behaviour not being worried about Macbeth and his mental state but merely worried about her husband revealing the secret of them killing King Duncan", 'Tis no other, Only it spoils the pleasure of the time".

This distinctly reveals that Lady Macbeth has become very agitated and aware of the fact that she is in the wrong. I think Lady Macbeth also seems as though she is now a bit threatened by Macbeth and she feels the need to take charge again, "You lack the season of all natures, sleep". Towards the end of the play Lady Macbeth is overcome by guilt and becomes somewhat mentally ill. She begins to hallucinate, "out damned spot! Out, I say!" She sees blood and tries to wash it off but nothing will make the blood disappear, I think this blood represents the guilt she feels due to the realisation of her plot to kill Duncan. We can see that during the end of the play it looks as though Macbeth didn't appear overly sad when Seton told him, "The Queen, my lord, is dead."As life were in't.

I have supped full with horrors", I think this quotation indicates to us that Macbeth felt there wasn't a need to be scared anymore as he had faced so many horrors what could be worse..