Describing Macbeth

Describing MacBeth as a ‘dead butcher’ and Lady MacBeth as ‘his fiend-like queen’ is an inadequate description of them both. The descriptions do not have any feelings. They do not feel remorse over anything and are ‘dead’ inside. Although MacBeth and Lady MacBeth do show attributes to suggest that they are cold and heartless, their guilt and conscience after the murder of King Duncan prove otherwise.

MacBeth was known as the ‘bravest’ soldier, a ‘valiant cousin’ and a ‘worthy gentleman’. To his wife he was ‘too full o’ th’ milk of human kindness’. His rank of Thane of Glamis was of great value and showed a great importance. MacBeth loved his wife calling her his ‘dearest partner of greatness’, an attribute a ‘dead butcher’ would not have. When MacBeth was told of his prophecy by the ‘juggling fiends’, the thought of killing King Duncan was at first a ‘horrid image’ to him.

At the feast in Dunsinane for King Duncan, MacBeth argued with his ambition to become king if he should proceed with the inhuman deed. He argued that he was King Duncan’s ‘kinsmen’, ‘his subject’ and ‘his host’. He believed King Duncan had ruled Scotland well and that ‘his virtues will plead like angels’. It wasn’t until Lady MacBeth questioned his manhood that he let his ambition overcome his great values.

Right after the murder of King Duncan, MacBeth narrates to his wife the gruesome details of the murder. He reveals he was unable to bless himself when he ‘had most need of blessing’. He then grimly states ‘will all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood clean from my hand? No: this my hand will rather The multitudinous seas incardinine, Making the green one red’. It is then he begins to feel the guilt of his horrible deed.

Later in the play, after the numerous murders King MacBeth ordered he laments that even if he prevails over the army of MacDuff and Malcolm coming,