The Theme Of Manipulation In Macbeth

In William Shakespeare’s Macbeth, there are major themes of manipulation, as well as guilt. When the focus of the play, Macbeth, is prophesized by 3 witches that he will become king, the conclusion that in order to do so, the current king, King Duncan, must be killed is reached. Macbeth undoubtedly wishes to be king and believes that he is entitled to kingship, but due to his steadfast loyalty to Duncan, he is doubting his ability and willingness to commit the murder. Macbeth infers that because it was prophesized, he will become king without having to kill Duncan. His wife however believes that it would be best for the both of them if Macbeth were to become king as soon as possible. Therefore, Lady Macbeth suppresses her conscience in order

She states: “Yet do I fear thy nature; It is too full o’ th’ milk of human kindness to catch the nearest way. Thou wouldst be great, art not without the illness should attend it” (1.5. 15-20). When she says “full o’ th’ milk of human kindness” she is referring to how she believes that he is too nice to commit a murder. The word “milk” implies that he would be more likely to be able to breastfeed and nurture someone than she would. By saying “to catch the nearest way”, Lady Macbeth hasn’t a doubt that Macbeth longs to be king, but to her standards, he won’t be ambitious enough in achieving the goal. The word “illness” refers to ruthlessness, which further shows the reader that Lady Macbeth doubts her husband. This is when she begins to plan convincing Macbeth to kill

Lady Macbeth deems herself evil enough to manipulate him when she says “ And wakes it now, to look so green and pale at what it did so freely? From this time such I account thy love. Art thou afeared to be the same in thine own act and valor as thou art in desire? / and live a coward in thine own esteem” (1.7. 41-47). In order to exploit her husband, she attempts to make him feel guilty by making it seem as though she feels unloved due to his behavior. Another tactic the Lady Macbeth uses to influence her husband is attacking his pride. When she says “green and pale”, she is referring to anemia, which at the time was a disease for young, weak, and virginal girls. By saying this to her husband, alongside with her calling him “afeared” and a “coward”, she is questioning his manhood. She is setting it up so Macbeth associates letting Duncan live with being a coward. This tactic works because Macbeth murders