Henyce Hylton
Ms. Canning
ENG2D1-11
21 May 2019
The Juxtapose of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth
In the play Macbeth by William Shakespeare, it is shown how Macbeth and his wife
Lady Macbeth have their similarities and differences. Through their ambition to overthrow
Duncan of being king and have Macbeth slaying persons that got in their way. Along with how
Macbeth and Lady Macbeth change the way society is looked at now. Everyone seems to have
an opinion on how others should be viewed or how their lives should be lived. Lady Macbeth is
affected by all the drama that was brought with Macbeth being king, but Macbeth seems to think
otherwise. Macbeth and Lady Macbeth start going through guilt and paranoia and change the
way others see them. In the play Macbeth by William Shakespeare, it will be shown how
Macbeth and Lady Macbeth go through trials and tribulations while comparing and contrasting
each other.
Once, long ago, in Scotland. Two adults let ambition get in their way of what matters the
most, being genuine and kind. When Macbeth realizes that the witches’ prophecy of him being
the Thane of Cawdor has come true. He starts to wonder if the prophecy of him being king will
come true as well. “Two truths are told/ As happy prologues to the swelling act/ of the imperial
theme… (1.3.137-139)”. The eagerness with which he turns this idea suggests he finds the
possibility appealing, even though he realizes he would have to commit a terrible act of violence
in order to achieve the position. These lines hint at Macbeth’s ambition. Lady Macbeth knows
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that Macbeth and she are capable of ambitious dreams, but she thinks that he is unwilling to
display the ruthless behaviour necessary to achieve those dreams. “Thou wouldst be great/ Art
not without ambition, but without/the illness should attend it… (1.5.18-19)”. These lines reflect
Lady Macbeth’s own philosophy in power, in which only individuals who are willing to set their
morals aside, will rise to greatness. Once Macbeth has become king. He is afraid that he might
lose his position as king. He is also frustrated by the fact that he has no heir. “To thus be nothing,
but to be safely thus… (3.1.52-53)”. This quote reveals how Macbeth is giving in to his ambition
and murdering Duncan has not brought him peace. This also sets off a chain reaction, Macbeth
continuing violent acts to maintain his power. Therefore, their two adults who wanted everything
to themselves. Greed.
Today in society, it is set out for the men to be powered over the women. Lady Macbeth
is more willing to fulfill the terrible deed. And accuses Macbeth to have lost his many
traits/persona. “You spirits/ That tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here/ And fill from the
crown to the toe top-full/ of direst cruelty” (1.5.38-41). Lady Macbeth resolves to put her natural
femininity aside. So that she can do ...
