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macbeth vs lady macbeth comparison
to what extent is lady macbeth responsible for duncan´s murder?
macbeth vs lady macbeth comparison
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Macbeth’s and Lady Macbeth’s relationship is somewhat the reverse to the stereotypical relationship. Lady Macbeth is the dictator and Macbeth follows all her orders. Perhaps this is out of love for her or to keep her love or respect for him. Their so-called ‘love’ for each other is not that of a typical relationship. Lady Macbeth spoon-feeds her husband, telling hm what to do all the time, but this switches suddenly after the murder of Duncan.
The woman in ‘A Woman to her Lover’ and Lady Macbeth are alike in many ways. The woman in the poem appears to be a well-structured, logical lady who sets her mind on one thing, a lot like Lady Macbeth when she set her mind on killing Duncan. The woman in the poem lays out her ‘terms and conditions’ for the relationship she expects, a bit like an argument, saying what she doesn’t want and what she wants showing she’s a logical, independent woman. Lady Macbeth would agree with all the things the woman in the poem does not want such as, ‘bear your children, wearing out my life in drudgery and silence...’ (4+5). The lady appears very demanding saying that she is ‘no doll to dress’ implying that she’s not an object to be played with. (11) Lady Macbeth is similarly demanding, ordering Macbeth to ‘look like th’innocent flower, but be the serpent under’t’ and telling her husband that he ‘must’ do this and ‘you shall’ do that (1.6.63-64+65). In ‘Valentine’ by Carol Ann Duffy, the structure of the poem is random with no logical rhyme or rhythm to it. It changes quickly from love to hatred; similar to how Macbeth’s mind keeps changing direction about whether he should or shouldn’t kill Duncan. Macbeth tries to stick to his normal life, stay realistic and look for the simplest option, which is not to ...
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... love for him encouraging him that he will be ‘so much more the man’ (1.7.51) if he obeys her. Walsh’s and Lady Macbeth’s use of imperative words and phrases shows off their dominance and strength. They are also both willing to sacrifice valuable aspects of their life (love) for their selfish reasons.
Like Walsh’s ‘A Woman to Her Lover’, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth both have completely different views on a passionate relationship. As a result of murder, the couple’s relationship got destroyed and caused a power shift, which is parallel to Porphyria’s death. Lady Macbeth lets her determination intersect with her relationship with Macbeth to the point where they lose everything and feel like complete strangers to each other.
Works Cited
Shakespeare, William. The Tragedy of Macbeth. Boston: D.C. Heath and Company, 1915. Google Books. Web. 3 Sept. 2015.
Lady Macbeth’s relationship with her husband is not as patriarchal as is seen in traditional representations of husband and wife dynamics during this time period. For example, she says, “To alter favor ever is to fear/ Leave all the rest to me” to Macbeth (I.v.72-73). She tells him what to do and how to do it rather than the more accustomed reverse. She is also taking a position of authority by doing things for herself. Lady Macbeth criticizes her husband, saying, “Wouldst thou have that/ Which thou esteem’st the ornament of life/ And live a coward in thine own esteem?” (I.vii.41-43). She calls him a coward, easily insulting him without repercussions and with the knowledge that he won’t do anything because of it. After Macbeth kills Duncan and is in shock of the crime he has just committed, Lady Macbeth says, “Give me the daggers. The sleeping and the dead/ Are but as pictures. ‘Tis the eye of childhood/ That fears a painted devil” (II.ii.53-55). In this scene, she is taking charge of the situation by ignoring her husband’s inability to fully comprehend what he has just don...
As Macbeth becomes less dependent on his wife, she loses more control. She loses control of her husband, but mostly, of herself, proving her vacillating truth. Lady Macbeth’s character gradually disintegrates through a false portrayal of unyielding strength, an unsteady control of her husband and shifting involvement with supernatural powers.Throughout the duration of play Lady Macbeth’s truly decrepit and vulnerable nature is revealed. Lady Macbeth has been the iron fist and authority icon for Macbeth, yet deep down, she never carried such traits to begin with. This duality in Lady Macbeth’s character plays a huge role in planting the seed for Macbeth’s downfall and eventual demise.
The themes of love in these poems and play differ but also have a strong link. There is a true love and devotion underlining all of these. Each individual expresses this in different ways. But the way these themes are shown in Macbeth is by using soliloquies and monologues. This requires you to infer and think about their love, it’s not clearly stated unlike the poems. The most reliable source to judge love on is either ‘A Woman to Her Lover’ or ‘Macbeth’. It depends on how well you can deduce emotions and actions. ‘Macbeth’ is more reliable in gaining a view on underlying love, and true love. But it’s hard to see and notice these emotions, you also gain a view of love from both perspectives. ‘A Woman to Her Lover’ is more reliable to gain a view of idealistic and true love, as it is more stated, But only depicted from a single perspective.
Lady Macbeth has been taunting her husband with the idea of success and obtaining royal status. Her solution is one “small” deed- to kill the king. Macbeth becomes uncertain of the repercussions of success, questioning whether he could overome the mental impact of the act. She is the closest character to Macbeth, meaning she is influential through the close proximity of their relationship and in their love. Macbeth is dependent on advice and the opinion of his wife. Lady Macbeth speaks to Macbeth, attempting to aggravate him and obtain an intentional response, she says: “From this time/Such I account thy love. Art thou afeard/To be the same in thine own act and valor/As thou art in desire? Wouldst thou have that/Which thou esteem’st the ornament of life,/And live a coward in thine own esteem,/Letting “I dare not” wait upon “I would,
In the beginning of the play Macbeth showed his love for Lady Macbeth in many different ways. He told her his feelings toward her "My dearest love" (act I, scene v, l 58). Macbeth listens to what Lady Macbeth has to say, and takes her advice into consideration every time he makes a decision. He also has great love for her and tries his best to make her happy no matter what it takes. Lady Macbeth convinced Macbeth that he wasn't a man unless he went through with the murder of Duncan. She threatens his manhood by saying
As Shakespeare’s tragic tale of ambition unfolds, the two central characters, Lady Macbeth and the title character Macbeth, undergo a dramatic shift of dominance in their relationship. In the beginning of the play the couple act as a team, plotting the death of Duncan to further their mutual bloodthirsty ambition. Lady Macbeth soon shows her power over Macbeth when she questions her husband’s manhood and devotion to her when he gets cold feet. As Macbeth’s confidence slowly grows and the witches proclaim positive futures for him he begins to separate himself from his wife, planning Banquo’s assassination without telling her, and no longer being susceptible to her insults. By the end of the play the roles have completely switched and Lady Macbeth spirals into guilt-fueled insanity as Macbeth prepares to battle to keep his throne. This essay will explore the relationship between Macbeth and his wife, paying particular attention to the scenes previously mentioned.
Lady Macbeth is a very loving wife to Macbeth and she wants to do anything she can for him to achieve his goals. She just takes it a little too far, and she puts too much pressure on Macbeth to commit crimes that he is not sure he wants to do. After Macbeth sends her a letter about the witches’ premonitions, Lady Macbeth is no longer the sweet innocent lady we expect her to be. She turns into a person who is just as ambitious as her husband and she wants to do whatever it takes to help him get Duncan out of the way. She even goes to the point of calling Macbeth a coward, and mocking his bravery when he fails to complete the job. She is even willing to do it herself (plant the bloody knife with the guard). Lady Macbeth is constantly putting the pressure on Macbeth to do things that he is not sure about. She almost turns into a bully who dares Macbeth to go out and do evil things. She even says in a soliloquy that she wants to be released of all her morals and values so that she can help him commit these crimes.
Shakespeare, William. The Tragedy of Macbeth. Boston: D.C. Heath and Company, 1915. Google Books. Web. 3 Sept. 2015.
When her husband reveals his indecisiveness on whether he should process the assassination, Lady Macbeth relentlessly accuses Macbeth’s fear of rebellion. She fully understands Macbeth’s desire and weakness; thus, she first utilizes their love to satirize Macbeth, and then questions Macbeth’s manhood which is the most serious taboo for any soldier by saying: “…live a coward in thine own esteem, Letting ‘I dear not’ wait upon ‘I would’.” Obviously, Lady Macbeth’s eloquence immediately impacts on Macbeth so that he commits to kill the king Duncan and “become a man.” Even though the argument against Lady Macbeth might focusing on she provokes Macbeth’s evil ambition and directly causes Macbeth’s death, I think Lady Macbeth forces Macbeth to face his greedy ambition of being a King and strive for the ambition without
Shakespeare, William. The Tragedy of Macbeth. Boston: D.C. Heath and Company, 1915. Google Books. Web. 3 Sept. 2015.
Shakespeare, William. The Tragedy of Macbeth. Boston: D.C. Heath and Company, 1915. Google Books. Web. 3 Sept. 2015.
Shakespeare, William. The Tragedy of Macbeth. Boston: D.C. Heath and Company, 1915. Google Books. Web. 3 Sept. 2015.
Traditionally, men have been the superior partner in a relationship. Throughout time men have always been the one who is outspoken and dominant in marriages. Shakespeare tends to move away from these traditional gender roles and write woman who are strong and independent. In his play, Macbeth, Shakespeare has Lady Macbeth take on a more dominant, cruel and “manly” role in the marriage while Macbeth submits to his wife’s demands thus giving him a more “womanly” role. Both of these characters go through many role reversals between the two of them and subsequently their greed for power leads them to their downfall.
Lady Macbeth is able to achieve such power over her husband by continually insulting his manliness and boasting her...
Shakespeare, William. The Tragedy of Macbeth. Boston: D.C. Heath and Company, 1915. Google Books. Web. 3 Sept. 2015.