How is the relationship between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth presented in Acts I
and Acts II.
Interestingly, Shakespeare’s representation of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth’s
relationship is one that is fuelled by their desire to succeed and the idea that the only
logical way their relationship will progress is if their dreams are accomplished.
Therefore, the readers begin to consider that for Lady Macbeth and Macbeth to remain
together, King Duncan definitely had to be murdered.
In Act I, the readers are exposed to Lady Macbeth’s domineering nature as Shakespeare
evidently structures her into a candid and passive aggressive individual whose strength
revolves around her choice of words and how ruthlessly she conveys her thoughts.
These are attributes that control Macbeth into submission.
“Look like the innocent flower but be the serpent under’t”.
Here, Lady Macbeth encourages Macbeth to become duplicitous and deceptive as by
being a “flower”, he could easily build up a facade to others that he is indeed good-
natured and loyal, but in reality, consuming thoughts of becoming the King prevails. The
simile “like the innocent flower” conveys to the readers that Lady Macbeth possibly
needs Macbeth to embrace the qualities of femininity because by doing so, he will be
able to deceive everyone easily. The characterization of a flower as “innocent” explores
biblical connotations of the apple in the Garden of Eden that God forbade Adam and
Eve from eating- The adjective “innocent” is a reference to the idea of the evil of man
because although, something might look trustworthy and beneficial, the adage comes
into play “Not everything that glitters is gold”. Shakespeare perhaps used this scenario
to reveal that even after Adam and Eve's disobedience of God's orders, humanity has
still not learnt whereby lady Macbeth is the embodiment of Eve who pushes Macbeth
(Adam) to kill Duncan (the fruit) that will lead to their damnation and suffer eternal
consequences. Moreover, the existence of the “serpent” portrays the devil within
humans as lady Macbeth ensures that the readers know that evil will always be there
lurking and that she is the poison in her relationship with Macbeth, driving him towards
the root of evil and cruelty. Furthermore, by her saying “leave the rest to me” shows that
she is the assertive figure in the relationship as anytime Macbeth tries to display his
leadership, she always tries to regain control from him. Perhaps Shakespeare wants the
readers to consider that the purpose of Lady Macbeth being the leader is a way to
ensure that Macbeth continues to try to reclaim the control from her and while doing
this, he can build up his ruthlessness. Thus, it can be argued that Lady Macbeth is
preparing Macbeth to fit into the patriarchal Jacobean society.
Additionally, Shakespeare shows Lady Macbeth as someone who is upfront and takes
the initiative, whereby Shakespeare subverts the typical role of a woman during the
and Acts II.
Interestingly, Shakespeare’s representation of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth’s
relationship is one that is fuelled by their desire to succeed and the idea that the only
logical way their relationship will progress is if their dreams are accomplished.
Therefore, the readers begin to consider that for Lady Macbeth and Macbeth to remain
together, King Duncan definitely had to be murdered.
In Act I, the readers are exposed to Lady Macbeth’s domineering nature as Shakespeare
evidently structures her into a candid and passive aggressive individual whose strength
revolves around her choice of words and how ruthlessly she conveys her thoughts.
These are attributes that control Macbeth into submission.
“Look like the innocent flower but be the serpent under’t”.
Here, Lady Macbeth encourages Macbeth to become duplicitous and deceptive as by
being a “flower”, he could easily build up a facade to others that he is indeed good-
natured and loyal, but in reality, consuming thoughts of becoming the King prevails. The
simile “like the innocent flower” conveys to the readers that Lady Macbeth possibly
needs Macbeth to embrace the qualities of femininity because by doing so, he will be
able to deceive everyone easily. The characterization of a flower as “innocent” explores
biblical connotations of the apple in the Garden of Eden that God forbade Adam and
Eve from eating- The adjective “innocent” is a reference to the idea of the evil of man
because although, something might look trustworthy and beneficial, the adage comes
into play “Not everything that glitters is gold”. Shakespeare perhaps used this scenario
to reveal that even after Adam and Eve's disobedience of God's orders, humanity has
still not learnt whereby lady Macbeth is the embodiment of Eve who pushes Macbeth
(Adam) to kill Duncan (the fruit) that will lead to their damnation and suffer eternal
consequences. Moreover, the existence of the “serpent” portrays the devil within
humans as lady Macbeth ensures that the readers know that evil will always be there
lurking and that she is the poison in her relationship with Macbeth, driving him towards
the root of evil and cruelty. Furthermore, by her saying “leave the rest to me” shows that
she is the assertive figure in the relationship as anytime Macbeth tries to display his
leadership, she always tries to regain control from him. Perhaps Shakespeare wants the
readers to consider that the purpose of Lady Macbeth being the leader is a way to
ensure that Macbeth continues to try to reclaim the control from her and while doing
this, he can build up his ruthlessness. Thus, it can be argued that Lady Macbeth is
preparing Macbeth to fit into the patriarchal Jacobean society.
Additionally, Shakespeare shows Lady Macbeth as someone who is upfront and takes
the initiative, whereby Shakespeare subverts the typical role of a woman during the
