The Start of Death
The first act of Macbeth gives the audiance an introduction the characters and prepares to bring about the demise of many chracaters.
In act two and three we finally see Macbeth and Lady Macbeth's plan go into action. Act two, scene two the audiance sees the aftermath of Duncan's assassination. Macbeth ovecome with grief states that he can no longer say the word "amen" and that he heard a voice say that he murdered sleep, " and therefore Cawdor- Shall sleep no more!" Lady Macbeth, drunk reprimands Macbeth's actions and insults him yet again. She takes it upon herself to complete the task of making it look like Duncan's servants were responsible. Macbeth is horrified with the act they commited but his wife sees no issue with it.
Later on in act three, scene one, Macbeth meets with two murderers and instructs them to kill Banquo and his son, Fleance. Two scenes later, three murderers appear, waiting for Banquo and Fleance so that they can kill them. Once the murders attack Banquo is killed but Fleance is able to escape. After this Macbeth again feels remorse and is tortured by the ghost of Banquo.
These two instances in acts two and three signify the beginning of the end and marks the start of many more deaths to come. As Macbeth spirals deeper into a frenzy more death accumulates around him.
In act two and three we finally see Macbeth and Lady Macbeth's plan go into action. Act two, scene two the audiance sees the aftermath of Duncan's assassination. Macbeth ovecome with grief states that he can no longer say the word "amen" and that he heard a voice say that he murdered sleep, " and therefore Cawdor- Shall sleep no more!" Lady Macbeth, drunk reprimands Macbeth's actions and insults him yet again. She takes it upon herself to complete the task of making it look like Duncan's servants were responsible. Macbeth is horrified with the act they commited but his wife sees no issue with it.
Later on in act three, scene one, Macbeth meets with two murderers and instructs them to kill Banquo and his son, Fleance. Two scenes later, three murderers appear, waiting for Banquo and Fleance so that they can kill them. Once the murders attack Banquo is killed but Fleance is able to escape. After this Macbeth again feels remorse and is tortured by the ghost of Banquo.
These two instances in acts two and three signify the beginning of the end and marks the start of many more deaths to come. As Macbeth spirals deeper into a frenzy more death accumulates around him.
Although grief seems to only affect Macbeth after the murder, I think it also strains the relationship between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. For example, in act one of the play Macbeth writes a letter to his wife explaining his and desire to become king. Macbeth values her advice on the issue, Lady Macbeth expresses her hope that Macbeth's dreams come true, and they are equals in a happy marriage. However, after the murder of Duncan the two become so paranoid that they are unable to trust each other. Lady Macbeth mocks Macbeth when he expresses regret over his actions, and they fight over how to hide their murderous act. Macbeth even begins to hide information from his wife as he doesn't inform her of his plan to kill Banquo and Fleance. These changes in their relationship demonstrate the affect of grief over their unnatural decision to murder a good king.
ReplyDeleteI don't think that the wife is not being affected. I think she is putting on a front for the husband. Remember she herself did not kill the king because he reminded her of a father, perhaps suggesting that she is vulnerable. In addition, her being drunk suggests that Lady Macbeth is suffering greatly and is trying to soothe herself. It is Macbeth who becomes more and more aggressive as time goes on, where as Lady Macbeth becomes more haunted.
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