Macbeth

Duncan has been a good king. He is meek, gentle, honest and not corrupt. Macbeth thinks that everyone will condemn him if he kills Duncan and he will have no respect as king.
             This far into the scene the audience has a clearer image of Macbeth's character. He is confused. He wants the crown but his only motive is his vaulting ambition'. At the same time, he is weighing up the consequences, which proves that he is putting a lot of thought into the proposed act and knows that if he aims to high he may fail. Also he is very aware of the differences between good and bad. At the same time, he does not want to let his wife down or let his ambitions go to waste.
             Lady Macbeth enters at this point and Macbeth tries to assert himself but his assertions come across as superficial and pathetic. His reasons for not killing Duncan are based on what he would lose if they were caught, golden opinions'. Macbeths character image appears to be selfish, vain, and slightly evil. He is now focusing on what the end result would be for him and there is no consideration of it being a wrong or immoral act.
             Lady Macbeth attacks his vanity and manipulates him, makes him feel small, pitiful and stupid.
             "Was the hope drunk wherein you dressed yourself?-.
             She goes on to say that she loved the man who said he would commit such a deed but now that he wont she does no longer. She calls him a coward and his responses become weaker and weaker. He claims that if he kills such an innocent man he will feel he is a beast and inhuman. He does not want to be seen as an evil man but Lady Macbeth tells him that she would prefer a beast to a coward. She persuades him that he would be more of a man in her eyes. The strength of her character prevails over him and he gives in.
             She renounces her femininity by saying to him that if she had promised to, she would kill her own child, their only heir to the throne.
             "Had I so sworn as you have to this-.