[Period 6]

[Cassiday Moriarity]
[Price]
[English 10 Honors]
[12/14/2014]
[The Tragedy of Macbeth]: [Contrast Paper]
Macbeth and Lady Macbeth both have two very intricate character analysis'. In their
characterizations, they are enhanced by contrast in the scenes before and after the murder of
Duncan in Act II. Their characters grow throughout the play and seem to do a 360 degree turn
while trying to handle the emotions of guilt and joy.
Before the murder of King Duncan, Macbeth was described as "brave Macbeth..." in act I
scene II and then referred as "Worthy Macbeth..." in act I scene III. He also showed great rapture
for his love, his wife, Lady Macbeth. Macbeth referred to his wife by saying "my dearest partner
in greatness..." in act 1 scene V as well as "my dearest love...". He was a well-respected man,
originally having clear conscience, while just being the thane of Glamis. As soon as he commits
his first crime though, he continues to do other crimes with ease many revolving around murder.
He was actually willing to wait for fate to allow him to be king at the right time, until his
manipulative wife gets him to do the murder immediately. So, as that he would become king
right away. He knew that killing was morally wrong so he was fearful before the murder, but he
did murder the king even though he had been fearful. His ambition got the best of him, and after
the murder guilt slowly comes upon him. He even told him wife that "had I but died an hour
before this chance, I had lived a blessed time..." in act II scene III. Macbeth eventually becomes
numb to emotion, so much so he doesn't immediately react to his wife passing. Eventually, it was

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his conscience that ultimately gets him. He had no reason to be alive anymore so he went willing
to death, but not without a fight.
Lady Macbeth came into the play and seemingly almost immediately began putting her
manipulative ways into motion. Murder the king, she said and Macbeth did as told. She had a
knack for getting what she wanted, and at the time she wanted Macbeth to become king. Lady
Macbeth actually said "had he not resembled my father as he slept, I had done't..." in act II scene
II, meaning she would have murdered him herself. She was ready to do whatever it took to get it
done. Her ambition was had gotten the best of her as well. Eventually, she begins to worry that
their guilt will be discovered and goes as far to say in act III scene II "'Tis safer to be which we
destroy than by destruction dwell in doubtful joy..." Lady Macbeth is saying that she rather be
dead then to feel what she is now feeling. From there she just continues to decline until she
jumps off the roof of the castle committing suicide due to her guilt.
In Macbeth's and Lady Macbeth's characterizations they are enhanced by contrast in the
scenes before and after the murder of Duncan in act II. This is all due to the way in which they
attempt to handle their guilt or joy. Macbeth handles his by continuing to get rid of all that
oppose them or do not believe their story. Lady Macbeth attempts to handle hers by relying on
Macbeth's joy of their new life, which does not go as planned.