Essay, Research Paper: Macbeth

There are people in life that will go to extreme measures to get what they want. People will lie, cheat, and steal, while some even murder. In the play, Macbeth, William Shakespeare wrote how Macbeth and Lady Macbeth used their ambition as a device to get money and power. Throughout the play Lady Macbeth had different initial reactions to the idea of Duncan s murder, both prior to and immediately after his death. Lady Macbeth shows that she is more ruthless than Macbeth in the conspiracy to kill Duncan.
Lady Macbeth appears to be more ruthless than Macbeth in the initial thought of murdering Duncan. Macbeth is scared and is too honorable of a man to commit such a horrid crime. Macbeth knew Duncan in the past and liked him. He had no reason to kill him. In Act 1, scene 5, Lady Macbeth states, Glamis thou art, and Cawdor; and shalt be what thou art promised. Yet do I fear thy nature; It is too full o the milk of human kindness to catch the nearest way (13-15). Lady Macbeth can sense the fear in Macbeth and feels he is too kind to go through with the deed. On the other hand, Lady Macbeth seems almost excited to kill Duncan. Its seems that she feels that Macbeth is a coward if he does not go through with it. Macbeth is also debating what to do. Act 1, scene 4, Macbeth states, The prince of Cumberland! that is a step on which I must fall down, or else o erleap, for in my way it lies (48-50). Macbeth either must let it go and not be king, or take a leap of faith and kill Duncan for his position.
Furthermore, Lady Macbeth is more ruthless prior to the conspiracy of Duncan s murder. Act 1, Scene 7, Lady Macbeth says, I have no spur to prick the sides of my intent, but only vaulting ambition (25-27). Macbeth gives reasons for Duncan s death. This also shows that Lady Macbeth will go to extreme measures to get what she feels is ness Cary. Macbeth feels that this is wrong and states, We will proceed no further in this business (31). Macbeth does not feel that he could go through with the cold-blooded murder of Duncan. Lady Macbeth also remarks, And live a coward in thine own esteem, letting I dare not wait upon I would, like the poor cat i the adage? (43-45). She relates to Macbeth by comparing killing Duncan to the way a cat would eat a fish, and not getting her feet wet. Yet he wants to be king, but he will not do what he has to do to get there. Before the conspiracy, Lady Macbeth seems to be in charge and makes plans for Duncan s death, while Macbeth is contemplating on whether he should proceed with the murder or not.
Lady Macbeth s ruthlessness continues after the death of Duncan. Macbeth appears timid and scared, while Lady Macbeth remains almost perfectally calm after the murder. Macbeth hears noises and thinks that the have been found out. He is frightened and does not know what to do. Lady Macbeth states, Go get some water, and wash this filthy witness from you hand (46-47). She thinks by Macbeth washing his hands he will be washing away all the evidence, and everything will be fine again. Macbeth shows that he is frightened when he asks, How is t with me, when every noise appalls me? (58). He thinks that people know that he has murdered Duncan. But when the people find out about Duncan, Lady Macbeth mentions that if he did not resemble her father, then she would had done the dirty deed. Lady Macbeth seems to be very callous about the whole situation. Meanwhile, Macbeth strays away form everyone and is more independent for Lady Macbeth with the decisions that he makes after Duncan s untimely death.
Throughout Macbeth, there are many examples that show Lady Macbeth more ruthless and heartless than Macbeth. She shows it in her thoughts, before, during, and even after Duncan s death. Macbeth can often relate to real life situations in many ways. Some people live in a constant struggle for more power and money. Nothing will get in the way of these people in getting what they want. And even sometimes the effect is more negative than they would expect.