Assignment details:
This is a very common Shakespeare essay on Macbeth which is basically asking you to consider the relative evil of the two central characters. Actually, a Shakespeare essay which asks you to compare and contrast characters in this way is a gift because you can easily use the knowledge you have of the play as a whole but filter it through the characters under discussion.
Advice on answering this essay question:
In the case of Macbeth, you will have done considerable work on both of these characters if you are studying the play and therefore all you need to do is to decide what your response is to the question – in other words, which of them do you consider the more evil?
It is easy to opt for Lady Macbeth, she influences her husband towards the evil deeds which they both commit and she urges him to carry on when he is wavering (as in Act I, Scene v). However, Lady Macbeth is only involved directly in the murder of Duncan and is driven mad by guilt whereas Macbeth continues on his murderous rampage right until the end and is not seen to be really effected by guilt at all and is so closely identified as being like the witches that they recognise him via the ‘pricking of their thumbs’ and when he speaks to them he speaks, as they do, in true rhyme rather than blank verse.
Therefore, a balanced response to this question in a Shakespeare essay might be:
- Outline the different viewpoints in your introduction and suggest ways in which you intend to look at this.
- Develop your argument in your Shakespeare essay over three paragraphs in the main body, the first looking at Macbeth, the second at Lady Macbeth and the third comparing the two.
- Conclude your Shakespeare essay on Macbeth by summarising your main points and giving a simple response to the initial question that you now feel you have answered.
Remember that any Shakespeare essay will expect you to focus on the language used and the structure so you must always analyse your quotes and all points of your argument must be supported by evidence from the text.
Sample essay response:
Introduction
In Shakespeare’s “Macbeth,” the relative evil of the two central characters, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth, is a topic of significant debate. Both characters engage in heinous acts, but their motivations and reactions differ, leading to varied interpretations of their moral culpability. This essay will explore the complexities of their characters, examining their actions, motivations, and the consequences of their deeds to determine which character embodies greater evil. By analyzing key scenes and the language used, this essay will argue that while Lady Macbeth initially appears more malevolent, it is ultimately Macbeth whose sustained and unrepentant brutality marks him as the more evil character.
Macbeth’s Descent into Evil
Macbeth begins the play as a valiant and loyal soldier, celebrated for his bravery on the battlefield. However, his encounter with the witches ignites a latent ambition within him. The witches’ prophecy that he will become king plants the seed of treachery in Macbeth’s mind, but it is his own actions and decisions that lead to his moral decline. Initially, Macbeth is hesitant to commit murder to achieve his ambitions. In Act I, Scene vii, he contemplates the consequences of murdering Duncan, recognizing that such an act would set off a chain of violence: “Bloody instructions, which, being taught, return / To plague the inventor.” Despite his initial reluctance, Macbeth is spurred on by Lady Macbeth’s manipulations and his own burgeoning ambition.
Once he murders Duncan, Macbeth’s transformation is swift and brutal. He becomes increasingly paranoid and ruthless, resorting to further violence to secure his position. He orchestrates the murder of Banquo and the massacre of Macduff’s family, actions that demonstrate a chilling disregard for human life. Unlike Lady Macbeth, who is eventually consumed by guilt, Macbeth shows little remorse. His descent into tyranny is marked by a growing detachment from morality and a willingness to eliminate any perceived threats, as seen in Act IV, Scene i, where he resolves to act on his impulses without hesitation: “The very firstlings of my heart shall be / The firstlings of my hand.”
Macbeth’s interaction with the witches also highlights his deepening corruption. Initially a passive recipient of their prophecies, he later seeks them out for guidance, demonstrating his increasing alignment with their malevolent influence. By Act IV, Scene i, Macbeth speaks to the witches in a manner that mirrors their own, using true rhyme: “Double, double toil and trouble; / Fire burn and cauldron bubble.” This linguistic parallel underscores his moral descent, suggesting that he has become indistinguishable from the supernatural forces of evil that initially tempted him.
Lady Macbeth’s Role and Downfall
Lady Macbeth is often perceived as the instigator of the play’s central act of regicide. Her determination to see her husband ascend to the throne drives her to manipulate and challenge Macbeth’s masculinity, urging him to commit murder to fulfill the witches’ prophecy. In Act I, Scene v, she famously calls upon the spirits to “unsex me here,” asking for the resolve to carry out their dark ambitions without the hindrance of conscience. Her pivotal role in planning Duncan’s murder and her ability to remain composed immediately afterward highlight her initial ruthlessness.
However, Lady Macbeth’s strength and resolve begin to crumble as the play progresses. The psychological burden of their actions takes a severe toll on her mental health. By Act V, Scene i, she is plagued by guilt and haunted by hallucinations of bloodstains that cannot be washed away: “Out, damned spot! Out, I say!” Her descent into madness and eventual suicide reveal a profound internal conflict and remorse that contrast sharply with Macbeth’s increasing detachment and brutality.
While Lady Macbeth’s initial actions are undeniably malevolent, her subsequent unraveling and ultimate demise indicate that she is not entirely devoid of conscience. Her guilt-driven madness suggests a complexity to her character that tempers her initial evil, highlighting her humanity and vulnerability. This complexity invites the audience to view her with a degree of pity, recognizing that her ambition and manipulation are, in part, fueled by her loyalty and love for Macbeth.
Comparing Macbeth and Lady Macbeth
When comparing Macbeth and Lady Macbeth, it becomes evident that both characters contribute to the play’s exploration of ambition and moral corruption. However, their trajectories diverge significantly. Lady Macbeth’s initial dominance and influence over Macbeth wane as the psychological consequences of their actions consume her. Her descent into madness and eventual suicide underscore her internal torment and suggest that she retains a sense of morality, however buried it might have been initially.
Macbeth, on the other hand, evolves from a hesitant murderer to a remorseless tyrant. His increasing reliance on violence to maintain power, coupled with his lack of guilt or remorse, paints a portrait of a character who fully embraces evil. While Lady Macbeth is driven mad by guilt, Macbeth’s unrepentant continuation of his violent spree until his death marks him as the more inherently malevolent of the two. His alignment with the witches and his transformation into a figure who inspires fear and loathing further reinforce his role as the more evil character.
The language used by Shakespeare in the play also supports this interpretation. Macbeth’s soliloquies reveal a man who becomes progressively more detached from human empathy and moral considerations. His use of imagery related to blood and darkness, such as “I am in blood / Stepp’d in so far that, should I wade no more, / Returning were as tedious as go o’er” (Act III, Scene iv), illustrates his acceptance of his bloody path. In contrast, Lady Macbeth’s language shifts from commanding and resolute to fragmented and remorseful, reflecting her psychological disintegration.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth exhibit significant moral failings and engage in heinous acts, Macbeth emerges as the more evil character. Lady Macbeth’s initial ruthlessness gives way to guilt and madness, revealing a complexity and vulnerability that mitigate her malevolence. Macbeth’s sustained brutality, lack of remorse, and increasing alignment with supernatural evil mark him as the true embodiment of the play’s exploration of ambition and moral corruption. Shakespeare’s nuanced portrayal of these characters invites the audience to consider the nature of evil and the factors that drive individuals to commit monstrous acts. Ultimately, it is Macbeth’s unrepentant and escalating violence that cements his place as the more profoundly evil figure in this tragic narrative.