Macbeth

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1. 
   sullymonster Teacher
   Community / Jr. College

   In Act I, Macbeth is the more sensitive and indecisive character, while Lady Macbeth is determined, logical, argumentative and single-minded.  She covers it all!  Macbeth hears the prophecies and is immediately intrigued by them - but also doubtful.  He can't decide how to talk them:

   I thank you, gentlemen.
   [Aside.] This supernatural soliciting
   Cannot be ill, cannot be good

   Lady Macbeth, however, reacts immediately with a murder plan when she hears the prophecy:

   The raven himself is hoarse
   That croaks the fatal entrance of Duncan
   Under my battlements.

   For two scenes, Lady Macbeth plows along with the plan.  She takes Macbeth's suggestion (his "deep and dark desires") and uses it to force him to follow through with murder.  She does this by challenging his manhood and reassuring him about their own safety:

   Wouldst thou .... live a coward...

   We fail?
   But screw your courage to the sticking-place,
   And we'll not fail.

   Macbeth, however, is plagued by concern and guilt.  He spends the first part of scene vii listing reasons why the murder is a bad plan, and insists that he will not do it. 

   We will proceed no further in this business: 

   Ten minutes alone with Lady Macbeth, however, and he is singing a new tune.  She clearly knows how to manipulate him and he is clearly sensitive to that manipulation.

   Sources:

   http://www.enotes.com/macbeth/act-summary-analysis

   http://www.enotes.com/macbeth/lady-macbeth-character-anal...

   http://www.enotes.com/macbeth/macbeth-character-analysis

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   Posted by sullymonster on Tuesday October 7, 2008 at 8:24 PM
   
   

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