Macbeth and Poetry

Examine how Shakespeare presents love between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth as their relationship develops.

The play “Macbeth” is a tale of many themes and messages, some more clear than others. I feel that love is one of the more hidden themes, in that you need to understand and interpret the thoughts and feelings of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth.

At the start of the play you are introduced to Macbeth who stumbles upon 3 witches who foretell his future. This is another important aspect of the play but does not relate much to love. When Macbeth discovers this news from the witches, he writes to Lady Macbeth to tell her of the news. This shows that Macbeth is excited and feels the need to tell his loved one. “My dearest partner of greatness, that thou might’st not lose the dues of rejoicing, by being ignorant of what greatness is promised thee” Is contained in the letter that Macbeth writes to Lady Macbeth. “My dearest” shows his fondness of Lady Macbeth. The quote “partner of greatness” is unusual for a man to call his wife in this age. Women were normally abused and used as a status rather than considered an individual who can be loved and who can love in the time Macbeth was set. Referring to her as a “partner of greatness” shows that he sees them both as being equal and united as one.

Further on in the play Lady Macbeth appears to be leading the relationship, but not in an obvious manner. She is manipulating Macbeth in such a way he will perform what she wants him to do. Using this, Lady Macbeth plots a murder and enforces it upon Macbeth. I wouldn’t say this was abusing their love, but Lady Macbeth manipulating Macbeth’s obedience. When Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are discussing this plan together, Lady Macbeth says “Leave all the rest ...

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...base your assumption on.

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.