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Lady Macbeth and Macbeth are both very alike and very different in William Shakespeare's masterful play, Macbeth. Throughout the murderous tale of Macbeth and his plight, Shakespeare shows us different sides to each character attach different level or act of the play. As the play moves on we almost see a changing of roles in between Lady Macbeth and her doomed husband. In the earlier acts Lady Macbeth is much more devious than her significant other, yet were a repentance in her thoughts and feelings as the play moves closer to a resolution.
The opposite is true in her husband. In the beginning he is the more valiant and righteous of the two, but is turned cold by temptation, as well as borderline madness. The only true comparison between the two is that they both move towards insanity. To begin with, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth both undergo a clear metamorphosis during the course of the plays plot. First, Macbeth is seen as a many virtue and valiance in the beginning of the play. Even King Duncan, Macbethsfuture victim supports his civility as a noble thane and warrior.
Duncan rewards Macbeth for his honor when he states in act 1, scene 2, line 63 No more that Thane of Cawdor shall deceive our bosom interest: go pronounce his present death, and with his former title greet Macbeth. ; thus making Macbeth the new Thane of Cawdor. Also, later in act one we are introduced to Lady Macbeth another personality traits which are much more harsh than her husbands. After Lady Macbeth learns of the witch's prophecies she convinces her husband to aid her in murdering the king and seizing the throne. As her timid husband questions their possible failure she snaps back, We fail? But screw your courage to the sticking-place and well not fail in act 1, scene 7, line 59. She is so strong andperseverant in this plot that she turns her husband into an unstoppable murderer.
This is where the personalities begin to change. Macbeth begins to desire the throne and once he attains it the temptation has grasped so that he loses all sight ohio former morals and sense of honor. This is clearly illustrated in his fury driven murder of Macduffs innocent wife and children. He has Macduffs whole family killed, just because he believes Macduff may threaten his throne. The women and children have no part in Macduffs plans, yet the once merciful but now honorlessMacbeth has them killed in cold blood. The opposite is true for Lady Macbeth.
She has grown apart from the world, entranced by her own sense of guilt over whats has aided in doing. Her sanity has regressed to the point of stating in act 5 scene 1, line 51, Heres the smell of blood still. All the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little hand, affirming her endless guilt while she sleepwalks. Both characters undergo serious changes in personality. The only common thread woven between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth istat they both lose sanity and sense of reason. For Lady Macbeth this is evident infant ways.
She constantly rubs her hands, trying to wash off the invisible blood her husbands victims. As well as the sleepwalking and talking which is diagnosed by the doctor, he says in act 5, scene 1, line 75, More needs she the divine than the physician. God, God forgive us all! The doctor is saying that Lady Macbeth has lost herself in her own guilt and needs guidance not medicine. Yet, the lady sought no guidance and was driven by her insanity to walk off a cliff, committing suicide.
This loss of reason also holds true for Macbeth. His desire has grasped him so that all he can think about is maintaining his throne and holds confidence in himself. He stoops so low as to slay women and children on two separate occasions, something that the old Macbeth would have thought cowardly. Both characters lose most of their ability to reason.
In conclusion, Shakespeare has truly shown how people can change in Macbeth. Two very different character totally reverse roles, causing each to lose their sanity in the end. This shows directly how Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are both very alike and very different.
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Research essay sample on Macbeth And Lady Macbeth Act 5 Scene 1
