Compare and contrast the development of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth.What different stages does each other them through
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This character analysis site will probably help you with your answer.
http://www.sparknotes.com/shakespeare/macbeth/canalysis.html
To compare and contrast the development of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth, we can look at the different stages each character goes through in William Shakespeare's play, Macbeth.
Macbeth starts off as a brave and loyal soldier, admired by King Duncan and his peers. However, upon encountering the three witches who prophesy that he will become the Thane of Cawdor and later the King of Scotland, an ambitious desire for power takes hold of him. This marks the first stage of Macbeth's development – his initial temptation and ambition.
As the play progresses, Macbeth becomes increasingly consumed by his ambition and the prophecies, leading him to commit heinous acts to secure his throne. This marks the second stage of his development – the deterioration of his morality and sanity. Macbeth's actions, such as ordering the murder of King Duncan, Banquo, and Macduff's family, reveal the depth of his corruption and his descent into tyranny.
In contrast, Lady Macbeth exhibits a different trajectory in her development. At the start of the play, she is depicted as a strong-willed and cunning woman who spurs her husband into action. She is ambitious and unafraid to manipulate those around her to achieve their goals. This marks the first stage of Lady Macbeth's development – her role as the driving force behind Macbeth's actions.
However, as Macbeth's crimes escalate, Lady Macbeth's guilt and remorse begin to consume her. She sleepwalks, reliving the night of Duncan's murder and continuously washing her hands in a symbolic attempt to cleanse herself of their sins. This marks the second stage of Lady Macbeth's development – her descent into madness and emotional collapse.
Ultimately, both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth reach their tragic ends. Macbeth is beheaded in battle, and Lady Macbeth takes her own life. Their paths to these final stages differ, with Macbeth being driven by a relentless ambition and Lady Macbeth being torn apart by her guilt.
To further analyze their development, you can refer to character analysis resources such as SparkNotes' character analysis on Macbeth and Lady Macbeth (http://www.sparknotes.com/shakespeare/macbeth/canalysis.html). This site provides a deeper understanding of the characters, their motivations, and the stages they go through throughout the play.