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The Relationship Between Macbeth And Lady Macbeth

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Characterize the relationship between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. If the main theme of the play is ambition, whose ambition is the driving force of the play- Macbeth, Lady Macbeth or both? Word Limit 500-1000

According to my understanding of the play, I feel it is Lady Macbeth’s ambition that drives the play forward. In the beginning of the play, it seems that Macbeth is a weak man odalisque to a cold hearted woman who manipulates him to her benefit. This illusion is exemplified when Lady Macbeth presents her thoughts after reading her husband’s letter. “Hie thee hither, that I may pour my spirits in thine ear and chastise with the valor of my tongue” she thinks he is incapable of taking the crown, her vision is obscured by her want for …show more content…

The hallucinations of the dagger afloat with blood on its hilt, the paracusia of “Macbeth does murder sleep, Macbeth shall sleep no more” and his inability to say Amen are all symbols of his guilt.
After the first murder, Lady Macbeth’s ambition seems to fade and Macbeths focal point changes. His ambition is now aimed at keeping the world from learning of his sin; He is willing to do anything, including further stain his conscience by committing and ordering executions. Ironically if it weren’t for the murder of Banquo, no one would have truly suspected Macbeth’s crime as Macduff.
His ambitions change from becoming king to protecting that which his. He is flawed in his ambition and his cowardice, he knows that he is too ambitious he realizes that what he is doing is wrong. He speaks his mind, however he is easily swayed by his wife. Once the murder is committed, once Duncan’s heart has beaten for the last time; Macbeth is immediately thrown into a pit of guilt. He makes it his mission to never let anyone find out that he murdered his king. “Wake Duncan with thy knocking. I would thou couldst.”

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