MACBETH PLAY

Lady Macbeth (Act 1; Scene V):

Glamis thou art, and Cawdor; and shalt be
What thou art promised: yet do I fear thy nature;
It is too full o’ the milk of human kindness
To catch the nearest way: thou wouldst be great;
Art not without ambition, but without
The illness should attend it: what thou wouldst highly,
That wouldst thou holily; wouldst not play false,
And yet wouldst wrongly win:
thou’ldst have, great Glamis,
That which cries ‘Thus thou must do, if thou have it;
And that which rather thou dost fear to do
Than wishest should be undone.’ Hie thee hither,
That I may pour my spirits in thine ear;
And chastise with the valour of my tongue
All that impedes thee from the golden round,
Which fate and metaphysical aid doth seem
To have thee crown’d withal.

Macbeth (Act 1; Scene VII):

He’s here in double trust;
First, as I am his 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. Besides, this Duncan
Hath borne his faculties so meek, hath been
So clear in his great office, that his virtues
Will plead like angels, trumpet-tongued, against
The deep damnation of his taking-off;
And pity, like a naked new-born babe,
Striding the blast, or heaven’s cherubim, horsed
Upon the sightless couriers of the air,
Shall blow the horrid deed in every eye,
That tears shall drown the wind. I have no spur
To prick the sides of my intent, but only
Vaulting ambition, which o’erleaps itself
And falls on the other.

Use the excerpts from Macbeth to complete the following task:

Write an essay of at least three paragraphs, supporting the assertion that the character of Lady Macbeth is passionately ambitious while the character of Macbeth is more cautious. Be sure to include evidence from the text to support your answer. Remember to clearly state your main point and use correct citation in your response. (100 points)

Answer preview

Lady Macbeth is strongly ambitious; it is evident when she reads a letter from the husband concerning his meeting with the witches. She is significantly aware of the witches’ prophetic words. She is then informed about King Duncan royal visit to their home (Inverness). She is very determined that the king must be killed to hasten the witches prophecy. When Macbeth is back at home, she uses prophetic words to address him “Glamis thou art, and Cawdor” to challenge him (Bradley, 2015)…