Lady Macbeth Comparison Essay

Has there been an incident witnessed when two people with traits so similar, can yet vary in many ways? In the play Macbeth, by William Shakespeare, two of the main characters named Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are a married couple that tends to share multiple qualities, yet they differ in various ways. Macbeth starts as a very loyal man towards his country at the beginning of the play, as he just slayed Macdonwald and the Norwegians in battle, meanwhile Lady Macbeth tends to start off the play as a very ruthless one who tends to be a schemer. Near the end of the play, both characters tend to fall into a path of corruption as time goes by, but in different patterns. Lady Macbeth and Macbeth are yet extremely similar in their tendencies of fighting

First, Lady Macbeth and Macbeth are comparable due to their motive for ambition and for power. Lady Macbeth's ambition for her husband to become the king makes her try to convince Macbeth to take part in demonic and serious criminal activities. As stated in the text, "What beast was't then that made you break this enterprise to me? When you durst do it, then you were a man." (Mac.1.7.48) This quote illustrates Lady Macbeth's desire for power and her willingness to manipulate her husband to achieve her goals. Macbeth, too, is ambitious, as he seeks to become the king of Scotland. However, his ambition is more passive, and he is easily influenced by Lady Macbeth's persuasion. He says, "I have no spur To prick the sides of my intent, but only Vaulting ambition which o'erleaps itself." (Mac.1.7.25-27). This quote shows Macbeth's reluctance to act on his ambition until Lady Macbeth manipulates him into doing so. Another similarity both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth tend to carry out throughout the play is that they both end up passing away by the conclusion of Act V, as Macbeth dies in combat, and Lady Macbeth dies by self-harm. It states in the text, “Of this

Lady Macbeth tends to be cruel and manipulative toward Macbeth, while Macbeth feels guilt and sorrow. Throughout the play, Lady Macbeth is portrayed as a very loyal woman to her husband, who will do anything to make her husband stand at the top. She says, "Look like th' innocent flower, But be the serpent under't." (Mac.1.5.67-68). This quote illustrates Lady Macbeth's tendency to manipulate and to be cruel, which is instrumental in convincing Macbeth to commit the murder of King Duncan, for which Lady Macbeth tends to have no remorse at the moment. On the other hand, Macbeth is depicted as a man who is torn between his ambition and his conscience. He is unable to cope with the guilt of killing his king and struggles with his conscience throughout the play. He says, "Will all great Neptune's ocean wash this blood Clean from my hand?" (Mac.2.2.57-58). The portrayed quote shows a prime example of Macbeth's guilt and dejection after the killing of King Duncan. At the beginning of the play, Macbeth tends to start off as a very honorable and avenging warrior, who was loyal to his king. It states in the text, “So well thy words become thee as thy wounds; They smack of honor both. Go get him surgeons. Who comes here? The worthy Thane of Ross.” (Mac.1.2.43-46). The previous portion of text is to show how he is seen as a valiant warrior who has just defeated the rebel Macdonwald and the Norwegian King