Preview

How Does Lady Macbeth Change

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
620 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
How Does Lady Macbeth Change
Macbeth by William Shakespeare illustrates throughout the course of the novel how the dominance in a relationship can change. Lady Macbeth is an ambitious character who initially portrays the role of a leading spouse over Macbeth but as the play progresses we witness an incredible shift in the orientation of power. The beginning involves an uncertain Macbeth who struggles to come in terms with the prophecy of the three witches. Macbeths indecisive nature proves to be an opportunity for the success Lady Macbeths objective. Originally both characters indicate their hopes and dreams for glory but it is Lady Macbeth who dominates and leads the ambiguous Macbeth into his drastic yet prophesized future. Macbeths chaotic rule begins a chain of decisions made without the influence of Lady Macbeth which ultimately destroys her power in the relationship. …show more content…
News of Macbeths encounter with the three witches who prophesized his success reaches Lady Macbeth who willingly rids herself of human kindness in order to achieve her dreams. At this stage Macbeth exhibits hesitation to act upon the words of the three witches. Macbeths arrival is met with the overly ambitious Lady Macbeth who automatically declares her evil intentions: Great Glamis, worthy Cawdor! / Greater than both by the all-hail hereafter!, (I.VI.53-54). At this stage Macbeth fails to take authority as his ambiguity holds him back which therefore allows Lady Macbeth to overpower him: We will speak further, (I.VI.68). Lady Macbeths reply gives a concrete indication of her influence: ...To alter favour ever is to fear. / Leave all the rest to me., (I.VI.70-71). This is a significant element of Lady Macbeths outward display of power over her

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    They persauded Macbeth to kill people only because they wanted to be benefited. they were selfish and not worrying that they would soon turn Macbeth into a crazed lunatic The witches delighted in chaos and toil. They did not tell Macbeth what to do but they simply showed him what can happen through their prophecies and the apparitions they showed to Macbeth. Macbeth could've been a perfect target for them to bring about this chaos. Macbeth is a strong soldier, he has killed enemies in war, and perhaps the witches knew his true nature("by the prickling of my thumb, something wicked this way comes..."). The extent of their influenced is demonstrated through their predictions, they are temptations and a form of flattery which Macbeth eventually gave into. On one hand, Lady Macbeth has the far greater influence because she is Macbeth's wife and they share a passionate relationship together. Just like the witches she flatters him, but this time it is a direct flattery and a direct temptation towards him. As far as Macbeth being changed into a diffrent person, he himself is responsible for his own actions. The final decision lies within him and this was demonstrated when he carried out the murder of King Duncan. Lady Macbeth acts as the catalyst for Macbeth. Macbeth realised that he would have to commit regicide (stars, hide your fires; let light not see my deep and black desires), but he was unwilling to do so. Lady Macbeth changes his mind by attacking his manhood, despite the brave acts he has commited as a soldier. She also flatters him shamelessly. The murder of Duncan sets Macbeth on the trail of evil, as he didn't consult his wife when he killed Banquo and Macduff's family. He didn't even care when she commited suicide. The witches represent the Three Fates in Greek Mythology. they connotate destiny, fate, etc. They delight and thrive in chaos and toil. In my opinion, the witches represent the primeval human emotions of hate and wickedness. They are all that is…

    • 469 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Macbeth is a Shakespearean tragedy, written between the years of 1599 and 1606. It tells the story of a Scottish general, known as Macbeth who receives a prophecy from three witches claiming that he will, someday, become king of Scotland. The play demonstrates two main themes through the desires of kingship and power Lady Macbeth has for Macbeth and the numerous murders committed by Macbeth in order to fulfill these and his own want for power. The two main themes of Macbeth include ‘the corrupting nature of unchecked ambition’ and ‘the relationship between cruelty and masculinity.’ The first and most common theme, ‘the corrupting nature of unchecked ambition,’ initially arises when Macbeth tells Lady Macbeth of his new title and how he is…

    • 554 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    The disintegration in Macbeth's and Lady Macbeth's relationship often mirrors the state of Scotland. At the beginning of the play, the relationship is strong, trustworthy and stable. Scotland battled the Norwegians and come out victorious which in turn created order and stability. The gradual changes in the relationship are highlighted by key events, circling around power and this then amount to leaving the relationship, and Scotland, in ruins. As the downfall reaches it's end one of Shakespeare's greater themes become more obvious. By demonstrating the downfall of the relationship and enhancing this through the mirroring of Scotland's fall Shakespeare shows the tragic fall of a hero.…

    • 750 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    A thorough exploration of William Shakespeare’s ‘Macbeth’ reveals that the relationship between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth is a relationship that involves lots of ambition, affection and change which then leaves their fall terrifying and resounding and really shows that the common saying ‘the bigger they are, the harder they fall’ is true. Firstly, the Macbeth’s are highly ambitious and always want the best for themselves. Secondly, the relationship between the two is very affectionate and then changes drastically. Lastly, because of the big build up leading up towards the end, the journey they went on and everything they had to go through it all leaves the reader stunned and shocked at the end.…

    • 329 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Mac Beth Essay

    • 666 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Macbeth is a determined man and has great qualities as a human being at the beginning. However, Macbeth is weak minded, and his will can be easily swayed which contributes to his undoing. Lady Macbeth is just one of the many characters who astray Macbeth’s heart. Due to his lack of sensibility and rectitude, he is unraveled to his very end. Macbeth is to take full responsibility for the tragedies that take place among the innocent lives, which were dealt the wrong hand of fate, during his conquest for complete power.…

    • 666 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Pride is a very dangerous trait. It can take you over, make you feel self conscious, and eventually change you altogether. When put under pressure, pride will make a decision for you. In the book of Genesis in the Bible, Eve, along with the serpent, manipulates Adam to eat the fruit from the tree. She teases him and because of his pride he eats the apple and is thrown out of Heaven, just like in Shakespeare 's play Macbeth. Macbeth is full of pride and as Lady Macbeth manipulates him and makes him feel pathetic, so his character slowly but surely changes from a War Hero into an Evil Murderer.…

    • 1419 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Masculinity In Macbeth

    • 613 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Lady Macbeth, dictates and influences Macbeth until she fulfills her selfish desires. Her actions, cause the play to give unexpected turns, As…

    • 613 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    In the first Act of Shakespeare’s play ‘Macbeth,’ the protagonist is portrayed as brave and courageous man. However, after the witches’ prophesized that he could become king his ambitions change from loyalty and courage to selfishness and greed. Macbeth knew that if he wanted to become king to had to slay Duncan, his relative. However, he is too loyal, instead he seeks Lady Macbeth for advice. She is eager to become queen, labelling Macbeth unmanly and fearful. ‘What thou art promis’d; yet…

    • 1062 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Theme Of Power In Macbeth

    • 997 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Macbeth, a dark and gruesome tragic play written by William Shakespeare primarily discusses the concept of greed for more authority. Emasculation and the Great Chain of Being are some core components of this play that are discussed through gothic poetry. Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are the main characters in the play. Through Macbeth’s catalyst, his wife, he found the strength to kill King Duncan. Lady Macbeth was his agent in many of the scenes in the play. Their compatible pairing lead to many “successes”, but also to their own deaths. Shakespeare brilliantly uses garment metaphors throughout the play as well as the innocent flower and crafty serpent motif to express Macbeth’s mindset and tragedy.…

    • 997 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    At the beginning of the play Lady Macbeth is very eager on taking the throne and would do anything in order to get it, even. She is also very controlling over her husband and demanding. We first see Lady Macbeth in the play when she is reading a letter from macbeth who is explaining what his future holds from him according to the three witches, which is that he will take on the throne. Lady Macbeth already is very ambitious about this and starts to plan to kill King Duncan. She says ‚‘‘ Hie thee hither,That I may pour my spirits in thine ear;‘‘ This suggests that she is controlling and whatever she tells Macbeth she will easily persuade and control him to kill king Duncan.…

    • 255 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Macbeth and Macduff

    • 366 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Shakespeare’s Macbeth portrays the dominance women have. The dominance and the plan that Lady Macbeth has over her own husband. She uses this power to her advantage. Throughout the play…

    • 366 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Shakespeare's Macbeth, considered as one as of his most brilliant plays, is a definite pleasure to read, particularly for fans of the "medieval-setting" and Old English literature. His style is unique and creative, which, all in all, makes for a very appealing storyline. Regardless of such optimistic facets, Shakespeare's signature mark within most of his plays is his combination of various assorted themes merged together within one captivating scenario. In this case, Macbeth is an ideal paradigm representing this talent. Unlike most his past plays, this particular storyline consists especially of gloomy and sinister themes: infidelity, treachery, lust for power, and ironical situations used to emphasize scenes of tragedy form most of Macbeth's foundation.…

    • 789 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Macbeth by William Shakespeare is a very dark and powerful tragic play. There are many characters in this play that are two faced, loyal one minute, and deceiving the next. One of the individuals who immensely represents these attributes is Macbeth himself. Macbeth is a warrior who is manipulated by his own wife and the three witches which leads him to become a greedy, ambitious and brave king. Ultimately because of his overconfidence, he dies devastatingly.…

    • 1524 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    In the play ‘The Tragedies of Macbeth’ , the main character Macbeth, was changed and moulded, from a good soldier that King Duncan trusted to bad guy that everybody wanted to kill, this was all done by his wife Lady Macbeth and the witches. In the start Macbeth was King Duncan solider and the King enjoyed his company as well as trusted him, this was shown by the King gave him the title ‘Thane of Cawdor’, by the end of the play Macbeth was a bad person, everyone hated him, they thought he was a bad king, and throughout the play no one called him ‘King Macbeth’, even though they knew he was no-one wanted to acknowledge that he was a king. In the play Macbeth had three people which affected the end result, two in which he listened to, one he didn't listen to although he should have. These people were Lady Macbeth, the Witches and his conscience. He listened to Lady Macbeth and the Witches although he shouldn't have and he didn't listen to his conscience although he should have.…

    • 665 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Lady Macbeth Changes

    • 543 Words
    • 3 Pages

    In the play ‘Macbeth’ by William Shakespeare there are many people that change throughout their lifetime. Lady Macbeth is one of those people that change.. She actually changes from being a tough woman and planning the death of King Duncan to feeling guilty and killing herself.…

    • 543 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays

Related Topics