This Grade 9 Essay focuses on the relationship between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth in the tradegy Macbeth written by Shakespeare. This essay explores the changing relationship between the two as their ambition and interludes with the supernatural cause their own demise, and that of their relationship....
You are advised to spend about 40 minutes on this question.
You should use the extract below and your knowledge of the whole play to answer this question.
How does Shakespeare present the changing relationship of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth?
In your response you should:
refer to the extract and the play as a whole;
show your understanding of characters and events in the play.[25]
5 of this question’s marks are allocated for accuracy in spelling, punctuation and the use of
vocabulary and sentence structures
Macbeth is a Shakespearean tragedy written in 1606 and based around the
downfall of Macbeth. His relationship with his wife Lady Macbeth is unnatural by
the standard of the Jacobean Era, as at the beginning of the play she appears the
more dominant, easily manipulating Macbeth into the regicide. However, Lady
Macbeth loses her control over Macbeth as he claims dominance; their
relationship becomes distant, sharing less scenes together until Lady Macbeth
dies in A5, S5, Macbeth following seven scenes later.
Shakespeare presents the close relationship between Macbeth and Lady
Macbeth through her soliloquy in A1, S5. She deliberates whether her husband
will be able to perform the regicide commenting ‘he is too full o the milk of the
human kindness. This demonstrates her intimate knowledge of his character –
she recognises Macbeth refuses to commit the murder except by her
manipulation. The noun ‘milk’ depicts his purity and innocence however she
uses the adverb ‘too’ to emphasises how she disdains this good quality, and
would rather him cruel and wicked, evoking fear in the audience towards her
easy sway over Macbeth. The noun ‘human’ is a skilful technique by
Shakespeare as the use of such an obvious noun indicate Lady Macbeth herself
does not possess this ‘human’ attribute, portraying her as inhuman, again
creating fear in the audience for Macbeth and what Lady Macbeth is capable of
making him do. Shakespeare successfully presents Lady Macbeth’s dominance
over her husband through the supernatural, preferring ruthlessness rather than
his goodness so that she will gain queenship.
Further on in A1, s5 Shakespeare presents the loving side of their
relationship, however he demonstrates Lady Macbeth’s more ambitious
character. Upon greeting him she states: ‘Great Glamis, worthy Cawdor.’ The use
of his titles to refer to him perhaps indicates the only reason that she loves him
rather than the person he is. This dichotomises with Macbeth’s address ‘my
dearest love’. The use of both ‘dearest’ and ‘love’ demonstrates the depth of his
affection for Lady Macbeth. She encourages his duplicity commenting: ‘look like
the innocent flower but be the serpent under’t.’ The imperative verb ‘look’ shows
her ability to easily influence Macbeth and her power over his actions. The use of
the noun phrase ‘innocent flower’ emphasises how she attempts to use goodness
, –perhaps that of her husband’s – to disguise her true intention. This evokes
suspense in the audience, as they clearly witness the control Lady Macbeth has
over her husband and her worrying dominance and manipulation in their
relationship.
In Act1, Scene 7, Shakespeare effectively presents Lady Macbeth’s
manipulation of Macbeth through her ability to easily influence her husband to
regicide. Macbeth attempts to assert his decision over not committing the
murder stating: ‘We will proceed no further in this business.’ The modal verb
‘will’ depicts how he attempts to take control however the lack of iambic
pentameter and use of soft sounds portrays his weakness and inability to
overpower his wife. This would have shocked the audience as in the Jacobean
Era, it was the man who controlled the wife, yet here the relationship is the
complete the opposite. Lady Macbeth then asks several questions, patronising
and humiliating him. She insults his masculinity by using the adjective phrase:
‘green and pale’ the use of the noun ‘pale’ to attack his visual image – she
understand the importance of visual image to a soldier and therefore targets
this. Macbeth is easily swayed by his wife, as he encourages and motivates him
despite the fact it is towards killing the king: ‘Screw your courage to the sticking
place.’ The use of iambic pentameter highlights her will and determination, along
with sibilance and the hard ‘c’ sound showing her attempts to reinforce this is
her husband also, and the malice of their actions.
Her imperative ‘screw’ also proves this point, the noun ‘courage’ flattering
Macbeth as it contrasts with her insulting language and restores his masculinity
alluding to her subtle manipulation of him. This could further depict her
confidence in him, and perhaps how strength of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth
together, proven by the repetition of the plosive ‘c’ sound.’ Shakespeare skilfully
presents the power of their close relationship, Macbeth easily swayed by his wife
and her authority over him.
In Act2, Scene 2, after the Duncan’s murder Lady Macbeth and Macbeth’s
relationship appears to waver as Macbeth is overwrought with guilt at his
actions. Lady Macbeth advises Macbeth that: ‘these deeds must not be thought
after these ways so it will make us mad’. Her repetition of the determiner ‘these’
emphasises her flippant attitude towards murder - she doesn’t bother to name
the deed. Her use of the pronoun ’us’ again depicts their unity in the deed and
their loyalty to each other. Macbeth however, remains in his agitated state
quoting: ‘Methought I heard a voice cry sleep no more Macbeth does murder
sleep.’ The verb ‘methought’ highlights Macbeth’s distrust in himself , the
referral of himself in the third person shows his confusion an attempt to separate
his titles on his life and actions from who he is. The use of the noun ‘sleep’ paired
with the verb ‘murder’ links to Lady Macbeth’s actions in Act 5, Scene 1, as she
sleepwalks unable to sleep peacefully due to her guilt and nightmares of the
night of the regicide. The use of the verb ‘murder’ suggests it is Macbeth’s
actions that lead to this, and therefore alludes to the eventual breakdown in their
relationship. However Lady Macbeth flatters him stating: ‘you do unbend your
noble strength to think so brainsickly of things.’ Her use of the adverb
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