Does Macbeth seem to notice the slow mental and physical deterioration of his wife. Or does he not notice until the very end.
If you know any part of the play that shows this please inform me.
Thanks
In Shakespeare's play Macbeth, the extent to which Macbeth notices and acknowledges the mental and physical deterioration of his wife, Lady Macbeth, is open to interpretation. However, there are several moments in the play that suggest Macbeth may be aware of her decline.
One instance that demonstrates Macbeth's awareness is in Act V, Scene 1, where Lady Macbeth sleepwalks and hallucinates, obsessively trying to wash imaginary bloodstains from her hands. Macbeth witnesses this disturbing behavior and shows concern for her. He asks the doctor attending to her, "Canst thou not minister to a mind diseased, pluck from the memory a rooted sorrow?" (V.1.42-43), indicating his distress over her worsening condition.
Additionally, Macbeth's soliloquy in Act V, Scene 5, after he receives news of Lady Macbeth's death, suggests that he may have been aware of her deteriorating state. He remarks, "She should have died hereafter," indicating that her death was expected and perhaps even a release from her torment (V.5.17).
It is worth noting that Macbeth's actions, driven by his ambition and the influence of the supernatural, contribute to the deterioration of both himself and Lady Macbeth. Over the course of the play, their relationship becomes strained as guilt and paranoia consume them. Macbeth's preoccupation with securing and maintaining power often overshadows his concern for his wife's well-being.
In summary, while the play does not explicitly state when Macbeth notices the slow mental and physical deterioration of his wife, there are several moments that suggest he becomes aware of it, particularly in Act V. However, the extent to which he empathizes with her suffering can be debated, as his ambitions often take precedence.