Macbeth And Lady Macbeth's Relationship

The Relationship Between MacBeth and Lady MacBeth

“MacBeth’s wife, a deeply ambitious woman who lusts for power and position” (No Fear Shakespeare MacBeth, pg. ix). This quote by Spark Publishing is a part of Lady MacBeth’s overview, it exemplifies her attitude in the beginning of the play. Although she is a strong woman, she succumbs to the stress of her life choices. Even with that being said it is stated that “Lady MacBeth is the strongest character in the play” (Rosenblum, Joseph. "Lady Macbeth"). MacBeth on the other hand, was the opposite of his wife. Even though they both digressed the couple seemed to have switched roles. In the play “MacBeth” by William Shakespeare the relationship between MacBeth and Lady MacBeth changes based on

A further progression of their relationship is the well known ‘Out Damned Spot Scene.’ Lady MacBeth is portrayed as what the reader can infer scrubbing her hands of the bloodshed she had caused, but it is not her hands that need to be purified; it is her heart and mind after the horrific things that she and MacBeth had done. Lady MacBeth was also saying phrases in her sleep that hinted to the people looking after her what has been done, for example: “The thane of Fife had a wife: where is she now? What, will these hands ne’er be clean? No more o’ that, my lord, no more o’ that: you mar all with this starting” (5.1.46-50). This quote was only one phrase she had said but it was enough to display her feelings of guilt and remorse. ‘The Thane of Fife’ is MacDuff, MacBeth murdered MacDuff’s wife and child because MacDuff was a threat to him and MacBeth was not going to let the witches prophecies come

Between the psychological and sociological reasoning, monetary gains, and having the time period in mind there are a lot of different theories one can have on the play. The individual character developments of MacBeth and his wife had their own part in the downfall of a healthy relationship. After hearing word of his wife committing suicide MacBeth’s response shows how far gone he really is, “She should have died hereafter, There would have been a time for such a word. To-morrow, and to-morrow, and to-morrow, Creeps in this petty pace from day to day To the last syllable of recorded time, And all our yesterdays have lighted fools The way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candle! Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player That struts and frets his hour upon stage and then is heard no more: it is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, Signifying nothing”(5.5.18-29). He feels that his wife’s death is nothing more than the ending of a book. Thus the portrayal of a healthy relationship crumbling from poor decisions and