[ This is an annotated list of passages related to Macbeth's relationship with Lady Macbeth. ]
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Investigate character relationships.

See how their relationship changes during the play by moving the bar to the marked points.

The relationship between these characters remains the same throughout the play.

Macbeth.

Antony Sher as Macbeth.

Ralph Richardson as Macbeth.

Ralph Richardson as Macbeth.

Macbeth.

Paul Scofield as Macbeth.

Macbeth with bloodied daggers after Duncan's murder.

Macbeth with bloodied daggers after Duncan's murder.

Laurence Olivier as Macbeth.

Laurence Olivier as Macbeth.

Macbeth.

Macbeth is the Thane of Glamis and married to Lady Macbeth . He is a brave and successful captain in King Duncan’s army. He meets three witches who tell him that he will one day be king. Persuaded by his wife, he murders King Duncan and is appointed king. During his reign, he begins to fear the loyalty of those around him including Banquo and Macduff . He tries to keep the throne by murdering more people but is tormented by ghosts and dreams. He is defeated by Malcolm’s army and killed by Macduff.

  • He is the Thane of Glamis.
  • He is a captain in King Duncan’s army.
  • He killed the rebel Macdonald in battle and helped King Duncan to achieve victory.
  • He is married to Lady Macbeth and they live in a castle in Inverness.

Things they say:

‘I have no spur / To prick the sides of my intent, but only / Vaulting ambition which o’erleaps itself / And falls on th’other -‘ (Macbeth, 1:7)

Macbeth doubts himself but also confesses he is extremely ambitious.

‘No boasting like a fool; / This deed I'll do before the purpose cool.’ (Macbeth, 4:1)

Macbeth's attitude towards murder changes and he quickly makes the decision to murder Macduff's family.

Things others say about them:

‘For brave Macbeth - well he deserves that name’ (Captain, 1:2)

Macbeth is well respected in King Duncan’s army for his military success.

‘Yet do I fear thy nature, / It is too full o’th’milk of human kindness / To catch the nearest way’ (Lady Macbeth, 1:5)

Macbeth has a kind and sympathetic personality, which Lady Macbeth fears will make him unable to achieve their ambitions through murder.

‘Not in the legions / Of horrid hell can come a devil more damned / In evils to top Macbeth.’ (Macduff, 4:3)

Macbeth is no longer the worthy and brave leader he was and is now thoroughly evil.

Lady Macbeth

Lady Macbeth screams in silk pyjamas.

Lady Macbeth.

Lady Macbeth.

Lady Macbeth sleepwalks.

Lady Macbeth.

Diana Wynyard as Lady Macbeth.

Lady Macbeth reads Macbeth's letter.

Lady Macbeth reads Macbeth's letter.

Lady Macbeth.

Lady Macbeth is married to Macbeth and lives at their home in Inverness. She seems to want the throne as much as her husband, so encourages him to murder King Duncan . At first, she copes with the deeds well, but is soon plagued by guilt. She begins to sleepwalk and re-enact the murders. She kills herself.

Facts we learn about Lady Macbeth at the start of the play:

  • She lives in their castle in Inverness.
  • She and Macbeth trust each other and plan together.
  • She has been waiting for Macbeth to return from battle.
  • She and Macbeth do not have any living children.
‘and chastise thee with the valour of my tongue’ (Lady Macbeth, 1:5)

Lady Macbeth knows her influence over her husband. She values her own courage.

'I would, while it was smiling in my face, / Have plucked my nipple from his boneless gums / And dashed the brains out, had I so sworn / As you have done to this.’ (Lady Macbeth, 1:7)

Lady Macbeth would do anything rather than break her promise and is capable of great violence.

‘my dearest love’ (Macbeth, 1:5)

Lady Macbeth and Macbeth have a loving marriage.

‘thy undaunted mettle should compose nothing but males’ (Macbeth, 1:7)

Lady Macbeth seems determined and unafraid, which Macbeth associates with masculinity.

‘his fiend-like queen’ (Malcolm, 5:9)

Lady Macbeth has used devilish means to achieve her ambitions.

The Witches

The witches around their cauldron.

The witches around their cauldron in the 2004 production of Macbeth.

The Witches.

The witches in the 1946 production of Macbeth.

The witches above a large digital clock.

The witches in the 2018 production of Macbeth.

The Witches.

The witches in the 1987 production of Macbeth.

The witches.

The witches in the 1952 production of Macbeth.

The Weird Sisters.

The weird sisters in the 1999 production of Macbeth. 

The witches hang above Macbeth and Banquo.

The witches in the 2011 production of Macbeth.

The witches dance.

Louise Bangay, Meg Fraser and Ruth Gemmell as the three witches in the 2004 production of Macbeth.

Banquo encounters the three witches.

Jan Chappell, Susannah Elliot-Knight and Janet Whiteside as the three witches in the 1996 production of Macbeth.

Macbeth and Banquo meet the witches.

Anthony Quayle as Macbeth and Clement McCallin as Banquo with the witches in the 1949 production of Macbeth.

The witches are three weird sisters who have supernatural powers. They plan to meet with Macbeth after the battle and deliver prophecies to him and Banquo . Later, Hecate is angry with them for meddling. She decides that they will punish Macbeth. The witches then give further prophecies to Macbeth about the things he should fear.

  • They have decided to meet after the battle.
  • They want to meet with Macbeth on the heath at sunset.
  • The witches have familiars called Graymalkin and Paddock.
  • They cast spells and cause problems for people in the local areas.
'The weird sisters, hand in hand, / Posters of the sea and land, Thus do go, about, about…’ (Witches, 1:3)

The witches are close, like sisters, and meet to chant spells and cast magic together.

'Come, sisters, cheer we up his sprites, / And show the best our delights.' (Witches, 4:1)

The witches delight in shocking Macbeth with their prophecies.

‘So withered and so wild in their attire , / That they look not like h’inhabitants o’th’earth’ (Banquo, 1:3)

The witches look inhuman. Their look and clothes are very wild.

'…what seemed corporal , / Melted, as breath into the wind’ (Macbeth, 1:3)

The witches appear to vanish into air before Macbeth and Banquo’s eyes.

‘Have I not reason, beldams , as you are, / Saucy and over-bold?’ (Hecate, 3:5)

The witches have meddled with things they should not have. They are over-confident.

Banquo in a fur-lined coat.

Banquo encounters the three witches in the 1996 production of Macbeth.

Banquo and Macbeth.

Banquo and Macbeth.

Banquo and Macduff.

Banquo and Macduff in the 2004 production of Macbeth.

Banquo is a friend of Macbeth and a fellow captain. Along with Macbeth, he has led the Scottish troops to victory. He is also given a prophecy by the witches . As he sees the prophecies come true for Macbeth, he begins to suspect his friend of evil deeds. Macbeth has him killed, but the ghost of Banquo continues to haunt Macbeth.

  • He is a successful captain in Duncan’s army alongside Macbeth.
  • He is curious about the witches’ prophecies for both himself and Macbeth.
  • He has a son called Fleance.
‘So I lose none / In seeking to augment it, but still keep / My bosom franchised and allegiance clear, / I shall be counselled.’ (Banquo, 2:1)

Banquo is loyal to Duncan and vows to do nothing devious to make the prophecy come true.

'In the great hand of God I stand and thence / Against the undivulged pretense I fight / of treasonous malice.’ (Banquo, 2:3)

Banquo is courageous. He leads the other thanes in a vow to discover who has committed the treasonous murder of King Duncan.

'May they not be my oracles as well / And set me up in hope?’ (Banquo, 3:1)

Banquo is hopeful that the prophecy about his children will come true too. He has ambitions.

'Noble Banquo, / That hast no less deserved, nor must be known / No less to have done so, let me enfold thee / And hold thee to my heart.’ (Duncan, 1:4)

Banquo is greatly valued for his bravery and loyalty.

'Our fears in Banquo / Stick deep, and in his royalty of nature / Reigns that which would be feared.’ (Macbeth, 3:1)

Banquo has royal and noble qualities. He could make a good king.

Macduff prepares to kill Macbeth.

Macduff prepares to kill Macbeth in the 1949 production of Macbeth.

Macduff holds a sword in front of himself.

Macduff plots his revenge.

Macduff in long black leather coat

Harry Andrews as Macduff in the 1949 production of Macbeth.

Macduff.

Nigel Cooke as Macduff in the 2001 production of Macbeth.

Macduff is the Thane of Fife . He is married to Lady Macduff and has children. Macduff suspects Macbeth of killing Duncan , and joins with Malcolm to overthrow him. When Macduff's family is killed by Macbeth, he vows revenge. Macduff fights with Macbeth and kills him.

  • He has a wife and children.
  • He visits Macbeth’s castle in Inverness to meet with King Duncan.
  • He is loyal to Duncan and does not go to Macbeth’s coronation
'But I must also feel it as a man; / I cannot but remember such things were / That were most precious to me.’ (Macduff, 4:3)

Macduff feels has a strong bond with his family and grieves for them when they are killed.

'My voice is in my sword, thou bloodier villain / Than terms can give thee out.’ (Macduff, 5:8)

Macduff is a man of action, rather than words.

‘Here comes the good Macduff’ (Ross, 2:4)

Macduff is valued as an ally and a friend.

'How says thou that Macduff denies his person / At our great bidding ?’ (Macbeth, 3:4)

Macduff has integrity and stands up for what he believes in, even if it puts him at risk.

‘Macduff, this noble passion, / Child of integrity, hath from my soul / Wiped the black scruples , reconciled my thoughts / To thy good truth and honour’ (Malcolm, 4:3)

Macduff is loyal to Scotland and its people, which reassures Malcolm of his honesty and goodness.

Macbeth lies at the feet of King Duncan.

Macbeth lies at Duncan's feet.

Duncan.

Macbeth and Duncan.

Duncan.

Duncan is the King of Scotland. He has two sons, Malcolm and Donalbain. He trusts Macbeth and honours him with a new title and a visit to his castle. Whilst he is visiting, Macbeth murders him in his sleep.

Facts we learn about Duncan at the start of the play:

  • He is a well-liked and successful king.
  • His army has just defeated the rebel Macdonald’s forces and the Norwegian troops.
  • He has two sons, Malcolm and Donalbain.
  • He shows gratitude to those loyal to him through praise, land and titles.
'He was a gentleman on whom I build / An absolute trust.’ (Duncan, 1:4)

Duncan is a trusting man who puts faith in the loyalty of those serving him.

'The sin of my ingratitude even now / Was heavy on me.’ (Duncan, 1:4)

Duncan is grateful to the men who have supported him.

'Duncan hath borne his faculties so meek, hath been / So clear in his great office, that his virtues / Will plead like angels’ (Macbeth, 1:7)

Duncan is a gentle and fair ruler. Duncan is well respected by his lords and officers.

Malcolm is crowned.

Malcolm is crowned.

Malcolm in armour and crown

Laurence Harvey as Malcolm.

Malcolm.

Malcolm is King Duncan’s eldest son, and is set to inherit the throne after Duncan’s death. When Duncan is murdered in Macbeth’s castle, Malcolm is immediately suspicious and fearful so flees to England. He and Macduff lead an army to overthrow Macbeth. Once Macbeth is defeated, Malcolm becomes the new King of Scotland.

  • He is the eldest son of King Duncan.
  • He has a younger brother called Donalbain.
  • He is with his father and brother when they receive news of victory in battle.
  • He is given the title the Prince of Cumberland and will inherit the throne.
'The murderous shaft that’s shot / Hath not yet lighted, and our safest way / Is to avoid the aim.’ (Malcolm, 2:3)

Malcolm wants to protect his brother Donalbain. He is cautious in his response to his father’s death.

'Let not my jealousies be your dishonours, / But mine own safeties.’ (Malcolm, 4:3)

Malcolm does not trust easily. He is suspicious of the other thanes after the murder of his father.

‘We will establish our estate upon / Our eldest, Malcolm, whom we name hereafter / The Prince of Cumberland’ (Duncan, 1:4)

Malcolm is declared as the successor to the throne after his father Duncan.

‘Malcolm and Donalbain, the king’s two sons, / Are stol’n away and fled, which puts upon them / Suspicion of the deed.’ (Macduff, 2:4)

Malcolm’s action of running away after his father’s death is viewed as suspicious by the other thanes.

'Revenges burn in them, for their dear causes / Would to the bleeding and the grim alarm / Excite the mortified man .’ (Menteith, 5:2)

Malcolm is a passionate leader, who inspires his followers with his cause.

Ross greets Macduff's children.

Ross greets Macduff's children.

Ross and Lady Macbeth.

Ross and Lady Macbeth.

Macduff greets Ross.

Macduff greets Ross.

Ross.

Macbeth and Ross.

Ross and Malcolm.

Ross and Malcolm.

Ross is a thane in Scotland. He brings reports of Macbeth’s bravery to King Duncan . Ross visits Lady Macduff to tell her that Macduff has fled to England. Later, he delivers the news to Macduff that his family have been murdered. He is part of the army that overthrows Macbeth.

Facts we learn about Ross at the start of the play:

  • He is a Scottish thane.
  • He is trusted by Duncan to deliver news about the battle.
  • He is given the job of telling Macbeth about his new position as Thane of Cawdor.
‘I dare not speak much further, / But cruel are the times when we are traitors / And do not know ourselves’ (Ross, 4:2)

Ross is sympathetic and reassuring to Lady Macduff. He is diplomatic and careful about what he reveals to her because there is a lot of danger.

'The worthy Thane of Ross’ (Malcolm, 1:2)

Ross is liked and respected by King Duncan and his sons.

'My ever gentle cousin, welcome hither.’ (Macduff, 4:3)

Ross has a kind and good nature.

Fleance.

Fleance with Macbeth and Lady Macbeth.

Fleance is Banquo’s young son. Macbeth begins to fear him after hearing the witches’ prophecy that one day Banquo’s sons will be kings. Macbeth sends murderers to kill Fleance but Fleance escapes.

  • He is Banquo’s son.
  • The witches' prophecy says that Fleance or his descendants will be kings.
  • He is with Banquo at Macbeth's castle when they return from battle.
'Fly, good Fleance, fly, fly, fly!’ (Banquo, 3:3)

Fleance is loved and protected by his father Banquo.

'The worm that's fled / Hath nature that in time will venom breed, / No teeth for the present’ (Macbeth, 3:4)

Fleance is young, which makes Macbeth believe he is not yet a great threat to him.

Explore their relationships

Macbeth - lady macbeth.

From the way Macbeth describes Lady Macbeth at the start of the play, they appear to have a strong relationship. Macbeth tells her about everything that happened with the witches and they plot together to kill Duncan.

‘This I have thought good to deliver thee, my dearest partner of greatness, that thou mightst not lose the dues of rejoicing by being ignorant of what greatness is promised thee.’ (Macbeth’s letter, 1:5)

Macbeth waivers over killing Duncan, which angers Lady Macbeth. Macbeth is persuaded by his wife to go through with the murder.

‘What beast was’t then / That made you break this enterprise to me?’ (Lady Macbeth, 1:7)

The couple work as a team to murder Duncan and his guards. Lady Macbeth criticises Macbeth for bringing the daggers back and returns them to the murder scene herself. She helps Macbeth wash away the blood.

‘A little water clears us of this deed.’ (Lady Macbeth, 2:2)

Their relationship is publicly strained when Macbeth sees the ghost of Banquo at a feast. Lady Macbeth is irritated by his lack of courage and has to send the guests away. Macbeth makes plans to kill more people and to visit the weird sisters alone without telling her.

‘You make me strange / Even to the disposition that I owe…’ (Macbeth, 3:4)

Lady Macbeth dies, having been driven mad by guilt. Macbeth receives the news of her death and doesn’t react emotionally to it.

‘She should have died hereafter; There would have been a time for such a word.’ (Macbeth, 5:5)

Macbeth - Banquo

Macbeth and Banquo are both captains in Duncan’s army and have fought alongside each other. They both receive prophecies from the witches.

‘Think upon what hath chanced and at more time, / The interim having weighed it, let us speak / Our free hearts each to other.’ (Macbeth, 1:3)

Trust begins to break down between Macbeth and Banquo. Macbeth lies to Banquo in Act 2 when he is on his way to kill Duncan, saying that he has not thought about the witches’ prophecies since.

Banquo: ‘I dreamed last night of the three weird sisters; / To you they have showed some truth.’
Macbeth: ‘I think not of them.’ (2:1)

Both men begin to deeply mistrust one another in Act 3. Banquo fears that Macbeth has become king through evil acts and Macbeth fears the witches’ prophecy that Banquo’s sons will eventually become king after him. Macbeth sends murderers to kill Banquo and Fleance.

‘They hailed him father to a line of kings. / Upon my head they placed a fruitless crown…’ (Macbeth, 3:1)

Macbeth is haunted by the ghost of Banquo, which terrifies him in Act 3 after he learns that Fleance escaped. After the ghost appears, he starts to feel guilt over the murder of his friend.

‘Thy bones are marrowless, thy blood is cold; / Thou hast no speculation in those eyes / Which thou dost glare with.’ (Macbeth, 3:4)

Macbeth - Duncan

Macbeth is one of Duncan’s favourites. Duncan enjoys hearing news of Macbeth’s victories in Act 1 and rewards him with a new title – Thane of Cawdor.

‘The service and the loyalty I owe, / In doing it, pays itself.’ (Macbeth, 1:4)

Once Macbeth has heard the witches’ prophecy in Act 1 Scene 3, he begins to think about ways to get the crown. Although he is tempted, he talks himself out of murder because Duncan is a good king and is staying in Macbeth’s house.

‘He’s here in double trust: /First as I am his kinsman and his subject, / Both strong against the deed; then, as his host.’ (Macbeth, 1:7)

Macbeth is persuaded to go through with the act of killing Duncan, especially after seeing an apparition of a dagger which he believes is a sign. He immediately feels terrible guilt for murdering the king and wishes he could undo his act.

‘Wake Duncan with thy knocking: I would thou couldst.’ (Macbeth, 2:2)

Macbeth - Macduff

Macduff and Macbeth are both thanes within Duncan’s kingdom. Macduff arrives at Macbeth’s castle the morning after the great feast for Duncan and uncovers the murder. He begins to question Macbeth’s reasons for killing the grooms suspected of the murder.

Macbeth: ‘O yet I do repent me of my fury / That I did kill them.’
Macduff: ‘Wherefore did you so?’ (2:3)

Macduff declines an invitation to the Macbeths’ castle for a banquet with all the other Scottish thanes. Macbeth is concerned about his loyalty.

‘How sayst thou that Macduff denies his person / At our great bidding?’ (Macbeth, 3:4)

The witches warn Macbeth against Macduff. When Macbeth is told that Macduff has fled to England, he fears that Macduff is rebelling. Macbeth orders murderers to kill Macduff’s family.

‘The castle of Macduff I will surprise;/ Seize upon Fife; give to th’edge o’th’sword / His wife, his babes, and all unfortunate souls /That trace him in his line.’ (Macbeth, 4:1)

Fuelled by grief for his murdered family, Macduff fights with and defeats Macbeth, calling him a monster, a hell-hound and a tyrant. Macduff was not ‘of woman born’ and he fulfils the prophecy when he kills Macbeth.

‘We’ll have thee, as our rarer monsters are, /Painted upon a pole and underwrit / ‘Here may you see the tyrant’ (Macduff, 5:8)

Macbeth - Malcolm

As soon as Macbeth hears the witches' prophecy in Act 1, he sees Malcolm as a threat to gaining the crown.

‘The Prince of Cumberland: that is a step/ On which I must fall down, or else overleap, /For in my way it lies.’ (Macbeth, 1:4)

After the murder of his father King Duncan, Malcolm is immediately suspicious of Macbeth and flees to England for safety.

‘There’s daggers in men’s smiles; the nea’er in blood, / The nearer bloody.’ (Donalbain, 2:3)

Malcolm leads an army against Macbeth, ultimately defeating him to become the new king in Act 5.

‘Macbeth / Is ripe for shaking, and the powers above / Put on their instruments.’ (Malcolm, 4:3)

Macbeth - The Witches

Lady macbeth - macbeth, the witches - macbeth, the witches - banquo, banquo - fleance.

‘Fly, good Fleance, fly, fly fly!’ (Banquo, 3:3)

Banquo - Macbeth

Banquo - the witches, macduff - macbeth, macduff - ross, macduff - malcolm, duncan - malcolm.

Duncan announces that his eldest son Malcolm will inherit the crown.

‘We will establish our estate upon our eldest, Malcolm…’ (Duncan, 1:4)

After their father is murdered, Malcolm and Donalbain decide to escape to England and Ireland for safety. They don’t comment on their father’s death but talk about their own safety.

‘Our separated fortune / Shall keep us safer.’ (Donalbain, 2:3)

Once Macbeth is defeated and Malcolm is crowned king, Malcolm celebrates that he and Donalbain can be reunited.

‘calling home our exiled friends abroad/ That fled the snares of watchful tyranny’ (Malcolm, 5:9)

Duncan - Macbeth

Malcolm - duncan, malcolm - macbeth, malcolm - macduff, ross - macduff, fleance - banquo, teacher notes.

On this page students can arrange the characters on the screen, showing the connections between the characters and their relationships. They can then print this using the button on the page and label them with their own quotes.

The following activity is also a great way to explore re;ationships in more detail, looking at what connects the characters.

Instant Images (2011)

The activity can be found on page 5 and takes approximately 20 minutes.

essay on the relationship between macbeth and lady macbeth

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essay on the relationship between macbeth and lady macbeth

Lady Macbeth as Powerful

The essay below uses this simple structure:, an introductory paragraph to summarise an answer to the question, one paragraph about the extract, one about the rest of the play, one about context., lady macbeth:, the raven himself is hoarse, that croaks the fatal entrance of duncan, under my battlements. come, you spirits, that tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here,, and fill me from the crown to the toe top-full, of direst cruelty. make thick my blood., stop up the access and passage to remorse ,, that no compunctious visitings of nature, shake my fell purpose, nor keep peace between, the effect and it come to my woman’s breasts,, and take my milk for gall , you murd'ring ministers,, wherever in your sightless substances, you wait on nature’s mischief. come, thick night,, and pall thee in the dunnest smoke of hell,, that my keen knife see not the wound it makes,, nor heaven peep through the blanket of the dark, to cry “hold, hold”, starting with this speech, explain how far you think shakespeare presents lady macbeth as a powerful woman., write about:, how shakespeare presents lady macbeth in this speech, how shakespeare presents lady macbeth in the play as a whole., the essay below is written using a simple structure:, an introductory paragraph to summarise an answer to the question., one paragraph about the extract., one about the rest of the play., before you read the answer below, why not have a think about how you'd answer this question. i've highlighted the quotes i'd write about - do you agree or would you focus elsewhere also, which sections from the rest of the play would you focus on and what contextual factors influenced lady macbeth's presentation, most importantly, though, have a think about how you'd write that opening paragraph - answer the question in two or three simple sentences., an example answer, during the majority of the play, lady macbeth is presented as being a powerful woman who defies the expected gender stereotype of the caring, soft, gentle female. by the end of the play, however, she kills herself as she discovers that although she can order the rest of the world around, she cannot control her own guilt, right at the opening of this speech, lady macbeth makes her position known when she describes “my” battlements. the use of the possessive pronoun emphasises that she thinks of the castle walls as being her own. she follows this by calling “come you spirits.” the use of this magic spell has two effects on the audience: firstly, she is calling for dark magic to come and support her. this would have reminded the audience of the possibility that she was a witch and had all the evil powers connected with them. also, she is using an imperative here: “come you spirits.” she’s not asking them but telling them. this shows that she expects even the supernatural world to answer to her demands. one of the things she demands is that they “stop up the access and passage to remorse.” this means that lady macbeth doesn’t want to feel any regret for what she is about to do, which would make her powerful. she is no longer going to be slowed down by feelings of compassion or care in her pursuit of power. finally, she says that the spirits should “take my milk for gall.” here, she is asking that her own milk be turned to poison. this suggests that she is turning something caring and supportive into something deadly, giving her even more evil powers. also, milk is pure white and suggests innocence and purity so lady macbeth is asking that what is innocent and pure about her gets turned into something deadly. throughout this speech lady macbeth sets herself up as being someone very powerful, who is able to control even the spirits., her power continues throughout the play. lady macbeth suggests the murder and talks macbeth into it – showing that she is powerfully persuasive. she also plans the murder, showing that she is intelligent as well. she also stays calm under pressure, such as when macbeth arrives with the daggers from the murder scene but lady macbeth returns them to the scene so that they don’t get caught. she is also able to manipulate macduff when she faints in shock after they discover duncan’s body. you could easily argue that lady macbeth’s ambition was more powerful than macbeth’s, and that the murder wouldn’t have ever happened with her involvement. she is determined to become powerful and will stop at nothing to get it. at the end the play though she is caught sleepwalking, and she confesses to all that they’ve done. this is interesting, however, as while she is sleep-walking she is not in control of herself so she is not really aware of what she’s doing. it could be the case that lady macbeth herself never felt guilty, though she couldn’t hide her real feelings from her dreams. in the end, she dies. malcolm claims that she killed herself quite violently, but since it happens off-stage we cannot be sure. what is clear is that although she could push macbeth around, and trick macduff, and even order the spirits to do her bidding, she couldn’t order the blood off her own hands., shakespeare presents a very powerful female character in lady macbeth, and although this would have been quite radical for people in jacobean england there were other powerful, female role models to choose from: bloody mary or queen elizabeth are good examples. this play, however, was written for king james who had just taken the throne of england, and james was not a fan of queen elizabeth – who had killed his mother, mary queen of scots (and he might not even have been a big fan of his mum, because she married the man who killed his dad) as a result, james would have enjoyed seeing this powerful woman become such a villain and then getting punished for her crimes..

Mr Salles Teaches English

essay on the relationship between macbeth and lady macbeth

How does Shakespeare present the relationship between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth?

Grade 9 essay relevant to every possible exam question.

essay on the relationship between macbeth and lady macbeth

By A for Anonymous (thank you!)

This is a great topic to revise, because it covers many of the main themes and both main characters of the play.

Methought I heard a voice cry, “Sleep no more!

Macbeth does murder sleep,”—the innocent sleep;

Sleep that knits up the ravell’d sleave of care,

The death of each day’s life, sore labour’s bath,

Balm of hurt minds, great nature’s second course,

Chief nourisher in life’s feast.

LADY MACBETH.

What do you mean?

Still it cried, “Sleep no more!” to all the house:

“Glamis hath murder’d sleep, and therefore Cawdor

Shall sleep no more. Macbeth shall sleep no more!”

Who was it that thus cried? Why, worthy thane,

You do unbend your noble strength to think

So brainsickly of things. Go get some water,

And wash this filthy witness from your hand.—

Why did you bring these daggers from the place?

They must lie there: go carry them, and smear

The sleepy grooms with blood.

I’ll go no more:

I am afraid to think what I have done;

Look on’t again I dare not.

Infirm of purpose!

Give me the daggers. The sleeping and the dead

Are but as pictures. ’Tis the eye of childhood

That fears a painted devil. If he do bleed,

I’ll gild the faces of the grooms withal,

For it must seem their guilt.

Shakespeare presents the relationship between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth as a loving but domineering relationship in order to criticise the Jacobean patriarchal society.

Although just a sentence long, this is a three part thesis statement, setting out what A. is going to prove in the essay. It also includes the author’s purpose, so it tells the examiner that this is bound to be a ‘thoughtful’ answer. This means that the examiner is already primed to want to award at least Level 5. Firstly, Shakespeare presents the relationship between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth as loving but domineering. For example, in Macbeth’s letter to Lady Macbeth, he writes to “ my dearest partner in greatness ”. The use of “ partner ” suggests equality between the two individuals, which shows how they are deeply in love. Shakespeare also employs “ greatness ” for Macbeth to describe his wife which almost puts her at a higher status than himself, who is a warrior and a true soldier. This would have been extremely absurd and shocking to the Jacobean audience as patriarchal society treated males as more powerful than females.

Analysing a longer quotation by focusing on individual words to explore an interpretation. A. links this to the context of Jacobean society. At this stage, it suggests ‘clear understanding’, which is Level 4.

Therefore, it would have been further evidence to the audience that women shouldn’t be given power as their actions end in regicide. The Jacobean audience would have seen Lady Macbeth as “ the spur that breaks the sides of his intent ” and suggests that the Macbeths’ relationship shouldn’t have been this loving as it ultimately ended in the heinous, most punishable act of regicide.

The context has now been developed. It scores marks because it is still linked to an interpretation, that Shakespeare has constructed Lady Macbeth as a warning about the dangers of female power and influence. This shows at least ‘clear understanding’ so it is awarded Level 4 AO3.

This almost makes Macbeth a martyr. This would also have reminded the audience about the theme of Christianity from the story of Adam and Eve, where Eve is more evil than Adam as she eats the forbidden fruit, which would’ve highlighted the fact that Lady Macbeth is more evil than Macbeth himself.

The idea that Macbeth is made into a martyr by Lady Macbeth’s evil control, much like Adam is a victim of Eve’s evil is an interesting one, and moves from ‘understanding’ to ‘thoughtful’. This is Level 5. An examiner will probably wait for another example, because this level also needs to be ‘developed’.

However, Shakespeare appears to subtly undermine this view of society, and might be criticising this view, as he might be suggesting that the cause of the problem is that women are subservient, oppressed and victimised by the patriarchy and women aren’t seen as partners in society, which is why they rebel.

Ok, this introduces an alternative perspective – that Shakespeare sympathises with Lady Macbeth. If A. gives some evidence, then the idea is definitely ‘thoughtful’ and has the potential to be ‘exploratory’ in Level 6.

So because she has failed in her primary role to provide Macbeth with an heir , Lady Macbeth tries to gain power in order to be loved and valued by her subjects, not just by Macbeth. This suggests that, even though the relationship is loving, Lady Macbeth is most domineering in order to gain power.

Although this is not a quotation, the italics is a clear and relevant reference to the text. Now there is enough evidence to award Level 5 AO3.

Furthermore, this domineering relationship is also clearly visible in the extract when Macbeth is suffering from the psychological guilt of killing Duncan, as he claimed to have heard a voice cry “ Macbeth shall sleep no more ”. However, instead of being an ideal Jacobean wife, Lady Macbeth criticises him by saying that he does “ unbend ” his “ noble strength ” by thinking too much about these things. The use of “ unbend ” is deliberately employed by Shakespeare in order to remind the audience about the “unbended” [ing] of the Great Chain of Being, which further makes Macbeth more miserable as he is reminded of his act of regicide.

The last point looks good on paper, but is a made up point – chains are made to bend, and Macbeth has clearly broken its main link.

But the point about Lady Macbeth being domineering is well made. So, we have enough quotations now to decide that AO2 shows ‘clear understanding’ at Level 4.

We are waiting for A. to link this to his previous point that she feels forced to act this way in order to gain power in society. This would make the point ‘thoughtful’.

In addition, Shakespeare contrasts “ unbend ” and “ noble ” in order to suggest Macbeth’s cowardice in the eyes of Lady Macbeth. This echoes her previous soliloquy when she feared Macbeth was “ too full o’th’milk of human kindness ” and accused him of cowardice with “ I shame to wear a heart so white ”. The use of “ milk ” and “ white ” both suggest cowardice and surrender, even though Macbeth has just won a brave battle against the Norwegians. Shakespeare uses this domineering relationship in order to criticise patriarchal society. Shakespeare suggests her attitude is caused as a consequence of Jacobean society denying her power and love. She has to dominate her husband to influence him in order to gain that power and love.

Well, here it is that link in italics. So this now can be awarded Level 5 AO2.

Notice that A. has also linked the language of the extract to language Lady Macbeth used elsewhere in the text. This is definitely a ‘thoughtful’ use of ‘references’ to the text, for AO1 Level 5.

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How does the Relationship between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth change throughout the Play?

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How does the Relationship between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth change throughout the Play?

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How does the relationship between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth change throughout the play?

How does the relationship between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth change throughou...

How does the Relationship between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth change throughout the Play?

How does the Relationship between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth change throughou...

How Does The Relationship Between Macbeth And Lady Macbeth Change Throughout The Play

How Does The Relationship Between Macbeth And Lady Macbeth Change Throughou...

How does the relationship between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth change throughout the play?

Conflict between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth (Play Analysis)

Shakespeare shows conflict in the relationship between the two characters, in the extract by reversing the roles of man and women. In the extract Macbeth is presented as weak ‘I am afraid to think what I have done’ implies that Macbeth shows no courage but shows a great deal of guilt toward the traitorous act. Whereas in the extract Lady Macbeth manifests what Macbeth was at the start of the play, courageous and heroic. ‘Infirm of purpose’ shows Lady Macbeth has the nerve to call out Macbeth on being a coward. The role reversal of men and women is clear here, as women are presented as weak and cowardly people in the 15th century, whereas men were seen as more capable and valiant. 

Shakespeare uses negative language because she wants to show that Lady Macbeth and Macbeth are the villains of this play. ‘This the eye of childhood ,that fears a painted devil’ this shows the two characters are in conflict with each other, Lady Macbeth refers to Macbeth as a child implying he does not have the courage to do what is needed to ensure the prophecy of what is needed to be done. In addition to tis, childhood represents innocence and she implies only children are afraid of scary pictures. It also shows that Macbeth is conflicted himself, he is unsure if he has made the right decision or wether his wife’s influence has made him commit the act of treason. 

Shakespeare suggests that Macbeth is weak as he has handed most of the power in their relationship to his wife!  Lady Macbeth, is shown for having too much power in this extract, that it could be seen as unnatural. 

However, throughout the play their relationship takes on many forms! At the begging of the play they both seemed happy and content, but upon hearing of Macbeths plot, lady Macbeth becomes power hungry and tries to claw at every bit she can get. She manipulates him to kill the king. As she does not yet have the status in their relationship to order him to kill the king. ‘When you durst do it, then you are a man’ shows her questioning his manly hood, this could affect how he sees himself and now feels he has to prove his strength as a man. 

At the Banquet scene Lady Macbeth is anxious Macbeth that her husbands lack of self control will make the Scottish lords suspicious. Macbeth has more control in the relationship, the dynamic has shifted as Macbeth rises in status. Their relationship isn’t as strong as there are constant quarrels back and forth between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. ‘My worthy lord, Your noble friends do lack you. I do forget-‘ fragmented sentences show her irrational behaviour. 

Toward the end of the play their relationship is a weak link! When Lady Macbeth dies Macbeth does not mourn. ‘Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow creeps in this petty pace from day to day’ implies her death is inconvenient or it could suggest if she had died earlier he would have time to mourn her. ‘Out, out, brief candle’  the personification suggests her life was like a candle, it only lasts so long. Lady Macbeth dies off screen, this is unusual as it means she is an insignificant character. For a character that had a dominant role at the start. She became insignificant for Macbeth and Shakespeare. 

In act 5 scene 5 Shakespeare breaks the fourth wall, ‘Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury signifying nothing.’ Implies playwrights are idiots.it could also suggest that Macbeth now believes everything could be pointless!

So in conclusion Macbeth and Lady Macbeths relationship is like a rollercoaster, it had its highs and lows but also span round in circles. But it ended back where it started with Macbeth in control!

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‘Macbeth’ Grade 9 Example Response

Grade 9 – full mark – ‘Macbeth’ response

Starting with this extract (from act 1 scene 7), how does Shakespeare present the relationship between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth?

In Shakespeare’s eponymous tragedy ‘Macbeth’, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth’s relationship is a complex portrait of love, illustrating layers of utter devotion alongside overwhelming resentment. Though the couple begins the play unnaturally strong within their marriage, this seems to act as an early warning of their imminent and inevitable fall from grace, ending the play in an almost entirely different relationship than the one they began the play with.

In the exposition of the play, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth initially appear immensely strong within their marriage, with Macbeth describing his wife as ‘my dearest partner of greatness’ in act 1 scene 5. The emotive superlative adjective ‘dearest’ is a term of endearment, and acts as a clear depiction of how valued Lady Macbeth is by her husband. Secondly, the noun ‘partner’ creates a sense of sincere equality which, as equality within marriage would have been unusual in the Jacobean era, illustrates to a contemporary audience the positive aspects of their relationship. Furthermore the lexical choice ‘greatness’ may connote ambition, and as they are ‘partner(s)’, Shakespeare suggests that Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are equal in their desire for power and control, further confirming their compatibility but potentially hinting that said compatibility will serve as the couple’s hamartia.

However, the strength of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth’s relationship falls into a rapid downward spiral in the subsequent scenes, as a struggle for power within the marriage ensues. This is evidenced when Macbeth, in act 1 scene 7, uses the declarative statement ‘we will proceed no further in this business’. Here, Macbeth seems to exude masculinity, embracing his gender role and dictating both his and his wife’s decisions. The negation ‘no’ clearly indicates his alleged definitive attitude. However, Lady Macbeth refuses to accept her husband’s rule, stating ‘when you durst do it, then you were a man’. She attempts to emasculate him to see their plan through. The verb ‘durst’ illustrates the risk taking behaviour that Lady Macbeth is encouraging; implying an element of toxicity within their relationship, and her harsh speech makes the cracks in their relationship further visible to the audience. It is also probable that a contemporary audience would be made severely uncomfortable in the presence of Lady Macbeth’s unapologetic display of power, and it is possible that Shakespeare attempts to paint Lady Macbeth as the villain of the play, playing upon the audience’s pre-determined fears of feminine power. Though Lady Macbeth appears to be acting entirely out of self-interest, another reader may argue that she influences her husband so heavily to commit the heinous act of regicide, as she believes that he crown may as a substitute for the child or children that Shakespeare suggests she and Macbeth have lost previously, and in turn better Macbeth’s life and bring him to the same happiness that came with the child, except in another form.

As the play progresses, Shakespeare creates more and more distance between the characters, portraying the breakdown of their relationship as gradual within the play but rapid in the overall sense of time on stage. For example, Lady Macbeth requests a servant ‘say to the king’ Lady Macbeth ‘would attend his leisure/ for a few words’. Here she is reduced to the status of someone far lesser than the king, having to request to speak to her own husband. It could be interpreted that, now as king, Macbeth holds himself above all else, even his wife, perhaps due to the belief of the divine right of kings. The use of the title rather than his name plainly indicated the lack of closeness Lady Macbeth now feels with Macbeth and intensely emotionally separates them. This same idea is referenced as Shakespeare develops the characters to almost juxtapose each other in their experiences after the murder of Duncan. For example, Macbeth seems to be trapped in a permanent day, after ‘Macbeth does murder sleep’ and his guilt and paranoia render him unable to rest. In contrast, Lady Macbeth takes on an oppositional path, suffering sleepwalking and unable to wake from her nightmare; repeating the phrase ‘to bed. To bed’ as if trapped in a never-ending night. This illustrates to the audience the extreme transformation Macbeth and Lady Macbeth’s relationship undergoes, and how differently they end up experiencing the aftermath of regicide.

In conclusion, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth begin the play almost too comfortable within their marriage, which seems to invite the presence of chaos and tragedy into their relationship. Their moral compositions are opposing one another, which leads to the distancing and total breakdown of their once successful marriage and thus serves as a warning to the audience about the effects of murder, and what the deadly sin of greed can do to a person and a marriage.

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9 thoughts on “‘Macbeth’ Grade 9 Example Response”

wheres the context

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It is also probable that a contemporary audience would be made severely uncomfortable in the presence of Lady Macbeth’s unapologetic display of power, and it is possible that Shakespeare attempts to paint Lady Macbeth as the villain of the play, playing upon the audience’s pre-determined fears of feminine power.

Also ref to ‘divine right of kings’

Thank you! This is a brilliant response. Just what I needed. Could you also please include the extract in the question.

We will proceed no further in this business. He hath honored me of late, and I have bought Golden opinions from all sorts of people, Which would be worn now in their newest gloss, Not cast aside so soon.

—> until end of scene

She did (Act 1 Scene 7)

Another great resource for grade 9 Macbeth analysis https://youtu.be/bGzLDRX71bs

In order to get a grade 9 for a piece like this would you need to include a wide range of vocabulary or could you write the same thing ‘dumbed down’ and get a 9.

If the ideas were as strong then yes, but your writing must AT LEAST be ‘clear’ for a grade 6 or above.

This is really great, I’m in Year 10 doing my Mock on Thursday, a great point that i have found (because I also take history) Is the depiction of women throughout the play, during the Elizabethan era, (before the Jacobean era) many people had a changed view of women as Queen Elizabeth was such a powerful woman, glimpses of this have been shown in Jacobean plays, in this case Macbeth, Lady Macbeth is depicted as powerful although she had to be killed of to please King James (as he was a misogynist) women are also depicted as evil in the play, such as the three witches, I also found that the Witches are in three which could be a mockery to the Holy Trinity.

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Relationship Between Macbeth and Banquo

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