Lady Macbeth's Influence On Her Husband

The play, “Macbeth,” by William Shakespeare, is a remarkable tragedy which introduces a different view of marriage, contrary to the norms of society regarding marriage in the medieval era. During this time period, women didn’t have a voice as they were dominated by men in marriages and they were considered to be weak and insignificant humans. However, in “Macbeth,” Lady Macbeth is the biggest influence in her husband, Macbeth’s, life as she possesses higher power than him in their marriage. This imbalance of power substantially impacts their relationship, driving their marriage to take a dark turn. Both with strong ambitions, began a journey to achieve these goals leading to the deterioration of everything around them, including their marriage.

Immediately after receiving the prophesies from the witches, he informs Lady Macbeth of it through a letter, as it says, “…who all-hailed me, ‘Thane of Cawdor,’ by which title, before, these Weird Sisters saluted me, and referred me to the coming on of time, with ‘Hail, king that shall be!’ This I have thought good to deliver thee, my dearest partner of greatness.” (I.v.6-10) Without taking a moment to absorb the news himself, he instantly feels compelled to inform his wife showing Lady Macbeth’s power over him, as she has conditioned him inform her of any information as soon as its acquired to obtain her guidance on what to do with it. Although Macbeth had believed witches prophesies, he had no intention of making those predictions come true himself, however once she learns about the prophecies, she immediately sets on her quest to fulfill these prophecies, taking matters into her own hands. She plotted the plan to murder King Duncan, claiming to be the stronger partner who will get him the crown as she says, “And chastise with the valour of my tongue all that impedes thee from the golden round. Which fate and metaphysical aid doth seem to have thee crowned withal.” (I.v.26-28). She thinks that he is too weak and kind to achieve his foretold future as she states, “…yet do I fear thy

As Macbeth disregards Lady Macbeth’s opinion and stops communicating with her about his plans and thoughts, she is left ignored and alone with her guilty conscience. She begins to get paranoid and sleepwalks as the guilt becomes too overwhelming to her and this is shown when as she says, “What, will these hands ne’er be clean…” (V.i.38). Lady Macbeth’s powerlessness is shown as the guilt overpowers when she stated, “Here’s the smell of the blood still: all the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten these little hands…” (V.i.43-44) Macbeth possesses ultimate power in their marriage when Lady Macbeth commits suicide as she allowed the paranoia and guilt to destroy her. When Macbeth receives the news of his wife’s death, he does not grieve the loss of his wife and seems to be unaffected as he states, “She should have died hereafter; there would have been a time for such a word.” (V.v.17-18) This quote shows the loss of marital affection as he does not express any sorrow for the death of his wife. Her suicide also signifies his final possession of power in their marriage as he didn’t allow the guilt to destroy him as it did to Lady