5/1/18
Macbeth Vs. Lady Macbeth
In Shakespeare's play, "Macbeth" Lady Macbeth and Macbeth are lovers yet have very different and contrasting personalities. In the first passage of Act 1 Macbeth makes a speech to himself about why he is not going to kill the king. He states 4 main reasons why he decided not to go through with it. "I am his kinsman and his subject" (1.7.13) He also says he is hosting Duncan's visit, He is a good king, and his people will be upset if he is dead and gone. This line shows his character is sympathetic towards the king because he hasn't done anything to deserve what will come to him. Towards the end of scene 7, Macbeth tells his wife (Lady Macbeth) that he does not wish to go through with the plan of killing his cousin and the King in order to rule in his place. He states, "We will proceed no further in this business / He hath honored me of late, and I have bought / golden opinions from all sorts of people" (1.7.34-36) Macbeth is saying he will not kill Duncan because he has honored and respected him and he has heard the people talk good things about him. This shows Macbeth's character is kindhearted and caring and doesn't want to cause harm to the king and his people. In Contrast, Lady Macbeth responds by saying "when you durst do it , then you were a man / and to be more than what you were a man / and to be more than what you were, you would / be so much more than the man" (1.7.56-58) When Macbeth says he doesn't want to kill Duncan Lady Macbeth responds by saying the fact that you thought of this idea makes you a man but going through with your plan will make you more than a man. She takes a stab at his masculinity saying he is not a man if he doesn't commit murder. This shows Lady Macbeth's Character is selfish and conceited. The only reason she wants Macbeth to murder Duncan is so she and him can rule and be the richest people of the land. She doesn't think of the people who will be upset or the loss of an important life. In the end Macbeth reluctantly agrees to go through with the plan of murdering the king. The personalities of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth differ greatly in terms of power and wealth.
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I'm starting school again soon so expect some more essays
