Explain how Shakespeare presents the changing relationship between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. You must consider language, form and structure and refer to the context of the play.
Shakespeare's five-act play Macbeth was first performed in 1606. The play was written during the Jacobean period where King James was in control, this determines the dominant roles in play. The Macbeths go from being partners in crime to an unstable relationship that has deteriorated because of their increasing loneliness and obsession with their own guilt.
Macbeth is first introduced by the King’s men reporting to the king of his bravery in the battle against the English. This prepares the reader for his mental and physical strength that has been hardened by war. At the start of Act 1 Scene 5 Lady Macbeth receives the letter of the witches from Macbeth "These weird sisters saluted me and referred me to the coming on of time, Hail king that shalt be." detailing what was said to him about his prophecy in becoming king. This was important because it shows that Lady Macbeth is willing to evoke the magic to fully imbue her, this was seen as evil to the Jacobean audience at the time. Lady Macbeths reaction is in complete contrast with Macbeths in how she embraces the witches and shows early signs of her influence and use of imperatives "Thus thou must do if thou have it" to show she takes charge "never shall
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The Macbeths are not seen on stage after Act 3 together and this eventually leads to Lady Macbeth taking her own life. After Macbeth hears the news about his wife's death he is not affected "She should have died hereafter; there would have been time for such a word." Because their relationship has separated so far. Macbeth has nothing left to live for, so the relationship is over. Even in Act 3 Macbeth refers to Lady Macbeth as "her" and "your patient" foreshadowing the