To What Extent Is Lady Macbeth Responsible For Macbeth's Downfall?.
The argument, which is being discussed, is how far would you go to say that Lady Macbeth is responsible for Macbeth's downfalls. An example of Lady Macbeth's character, which would play a big part in the way she influences Macbeth, is "Come, you Spirits That tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here And fill me from the Crown to the toe topfull of direst cruelty; Make thick my blood," (1.5.38-41). This quote shows a side of her personality of, which is that she, although confident and sure about her plan to Macbeth. Is actually a weak and cowardly person herself. So she calls on Spirits which were strongly believed in at the time this play was written, to pocess her and to take away all that would make her feel remorse and doubt so that she can commit the deed comfortably and maybe in her mind not be totally responsible. .
In the early stages of the plan, there are numerous examples of Macbeth having doubts and feeling wrong at Lady Macbeth's idea to kill duncan and her using very pesuasive language on him. Macbeth "We will proceed no further in this business."(1.7.31) Lady Macbeth "Art thou afeard to be the same in thine own act and valour, as thou art in desire?"(1.7.39-41). This is a great example of Macbeth having doubts about the deed and wanting to stop, and then Lady Macbeth practically calling him a coward and offending his manly position. This then causes Macbeth to take offense and go back on his decision to stop. At this part of the play, I see Lady Macbeth getting agitated with Macbeth and his doubts and just wanting him to be a man and do the deed. .
Also evident in the play, is the strong binding relationship of trust which Lady Macbeth and Macbeth have with each other. "I have given suck and know How tender "tis to love the babe that milks me: I would, while it was smiling in my face, Have plucked my Nipple from his boneless gums and dashed the brains out, had I sworn As you have done to this.