Commentary on Macbeth Essay

Macbeth was written by William Shakespeare and set in Scotland in the 1600's. The main theme of the play is that Macbeth has been distorted by the interference of three witches. The three witches tell Macbeth that he will be king one day; Macbeth slowly becomes fanatical with this prophecy. This need for power leads Macbeth to kill his king, best friend (Banquo) and countless other Scottish Thanes and their wives and children. Macbeth does all of this in a bid to keep the crown of Scotland on his head. Lady Macbeth's position in this scandalous story was to continuously assure Macbeth that everything would be okay, and that they had selected the right course of action. Many times throughout the journey Macbeth wanted to bring everything to a stop, but Lady Macbeth was always convincing him otherwise. Through this journey their close connection falters under the stress of guilt.

An essential scene which expresses how much the couple cherished one another was 'Act 1 scene 5' when Macbeth had written Lady Macbeth a letter expressing to her how much he loved and cared for her. Macbeth had trusted and believed that his wife's judgment was the right one, and took her advice almost every step of the way. All along she is preparing the execution of King Duncan. "Fill me from the crown to the toe top full of direst cruelty." Lady Macbeth wants to be overflowing with brutality so she can fulfill this dreadful deed. But all along, she is conscious of what she is doing, but persuading Macbeth that this is the best plan. Yet, Macbeth still refers to her as 'My dearest love.' Macbeth is soon aware of the circumstances, but decides to follow through. "Your hand, your tongue; look like the' innocent flower, But be the serpent under't."

In 'act 1 scene 7' Macbeth has his own concern, when he exposes that he is actually quite terrified. Macbeth has second thoughts about killing the king, but his drive for power overrules his hesitation, Macbeth is anxious. But when Lady Macbeth enters, everything changes, she is quick to reassure and changes Macbeths mind by persuasion. At this point in the tragedy Lady Macbeths role is over powering Macbeth into seeing what she sees so she gets a equal share of power if he succeeds. Macbeth is bound to her in a deadly conspiracy, and an obsession of power.

The imagery of blood in 'Act 2 scene 2' bound the couple together. This was probably not love, but the fact that they are both guilty. Lady Macbeth has just recently woken up and tried to wash the blood from her hands. This is a sign that she is finding it hard to cope with the guilt. This was possibly the beginning of the break down in their relationship, this awful secret seems to be pulling them apart and causing them grief.

In 'act 3 scene 1-3' there is a large change in their relationship. Lady Macbeth barely talks in the scenes, and finds it hard to find a spare moment for Macbeth to talk to her "for a few words." Macbeth is now the one in charge of the plans to kill Fleance and Banquo. Lady Macbeth now has no part in the murders at all. Macbeth has chosen not to involve her here. "Till supper-time alone," Macbeths plan to kill Banquo went well, but Fleance escaped, leaving Macbeth very worried. "Both of you know Banquo was your enemy."

Another key scene is 'Act 3, Scene 4' the relationship becomes very strained, and Macbeth starts to go insane with guilt. First of all he sees the ghost of Banquo whom he has killed. Lady Macbeth tells him to "pull himself together" Lady Macbeth is becoming weak, and is no longer over powering Macbeth, she unable to tell him what to do. The couple have gradually over time, become very distant. They no longer bond, or confide in each other. This is all due to guilt, and trauma they have brought on themselves.

Nearer to the end of play, Lady Macbeth sleep walks, this shows how alone she is. She can no longer confide in her husband, and the guilt has driven her insane. Again the reference to blood is having an effect on their relationship, and all of this is driving them further and further apart.

Macbeth's reaction to his wife's death is shock. They have been driven so far apart that he was unaware if how she was feeling. The couple has completely changed from the couple we first met. They were once madly in love, and now Macbeth had lost his "dearest partner". All he had left was his crown, which wasn't going to be his for long.

For the overall view of the play, it becomes clear to the reader that the obsession with power has pulled this marriage apart. "Vaulting ambition."

Now days there is a lot more divorces and separations, failures. But nothing is quite as drastic as murder. Macbeth creates a great picture of pain and loneliness in the community, and this is all due to murder, and ambition for power.