Lady of the Manor

Andrew Pickett May 31st 2002

Macbeth Ruthless Essay Period 2 and 3

To be ruthless is to act with malice regardless of the consequences. In the first two acts of Macbeth, Lady Macbeth is clearly more ruthless than Macbeth himself. While when both characters are faced with the idea of murdering Duncan they appear equally as ruthless, it becomes clear as the scenes progress that ultimately, Lady Macbeth is the more ruthless of the two.

Lady Macbeth and Macbeth appear equally as ruthless when faced with the idea of murdering Duncan. In an aside to himself Macbeth exclaims, “The Prince of Cumberland! This is a step on which I must fall down or else o’er leap, for in my way it lies. Stars, hide your fires; Let not light see my black and deep desires.” (1.4.55-59) When Macbeth learns of his new position his mind almost immediately thinks of what is now standing between him and the throne. His ruthless nature takes charge almost instantly as his mind turns toward murdering Duncan to secure the throne. Lady Macbeth’s ruthless nature also takes charge almost immediately after she learns of Macbeth’s new title. “…unsex me here, and fill me from the crown to the toe top-full of direst cruelty. Make thick my blood.” (1.5.48-50) Lady Macbeth calls on the spirits to strip her of her womanhood and fill her with cruelty and evil. With these new qualities she believes she will be able to take charge and through with the plan to murder Duncan. She is clearly passionate about securing the thrown for her husband, Macbeth. Both Macbeth’s and Lady Macbeth’s ruthless personalities clearly take charge when they consider murdering Duncan. However as the time of the murder draws closer, Lady Macbeth’s ruthlessness will surpass that of Macbeth.

Prior to the murder of Duncan, Lady Macbeth is clearly more ruthless than Macbeth. In the last scene of the first act Macbeth begins to strongly question the proposed murder.

“He’s here in double trust: First, as Kinsman and his subject, strong both against the deed; then, as his host, who should against his murderer shut the door, not bear the knife myself.”

(1.7.12-16)

Macbeth clearly begins to feel guilty about murdering Duncan as he is not only his kinsman but his host. As Macbeth’s conscience begins to regain control, Lady Macbeth’s ruthless personality takes charge once again. When Macbeth tells Lady Macbeth that he no longer wants to go through with the plan she immediately, almost instinctively, begins attacking him.

“What beast was’t then, that made you break this enterprise to me? When you durst do it, then you were a man; And to be more than what you were, you would be so much more the man.”

(1.7.53-58)

Lady Macbeth is adamantly trying to reverse Macbeth’s decision not to murder Duncan. She begins questioning his manhood as she persuades him to go through with murder. Even as Macbeth explains