Macbeth is a butcher and Lady Macbeth is a fiend-like queen
Uploaded by bron on Jun 29, 2001
In Shakespeare’s tragedy Macbeth, the following statement can be applied, “Macbeth is a butcher and Lady Macbeth is a fiend-like queen.” This is a true statement as many occurrences involving Macbeth and Lady Macbeth portray them in this way. A butcher can be defined as someone who kills or has people killed needlessly or brutally. The term butcher used in this way describes Macbeth to some extent. During the play, Macbeth is involved in the murder of many people, including King Duncan, Banquo, and Macduff’s wife and children. A fiend can be described as a very wicked or cruel person, or one who causes mischief and annoyance. This can be applied to Lady Macbeth, who had only her own intentions at heart. On many occasions Lady Macbeth shows fiend-like traits, especially when plotting to kill Duncan, framing the servants after he has been killed, and also when she fails to stop Macbeth from killing Banquo. These events are examples of when the two characters show these traits.
In the beginning of the play, Macbeth can be described as being loyal, courageous and noble. He is liked, trusted and respected by everyone around him. However this soon changes after his first encounter with the three witches. This is because the witches inform Macbeth that his life could be far different, therefore changing Macbeth’s perception of his life. In doing this, they do not actually use true powers, they use the power of suggestion. This is where we begin to see a change in Macbeth’s outlook on life and his behaviour. Being the ambitious man that he is, Macbeth’s thoughts become dark, and he secretly thinks about what should be done about King Duncan to increase his own power. In spite of this fact, the play is equivocal as to whether or not Macbeth intended on killing Duncan before he met with the witches. In Act One, Scene three, Macbeth says:
This supernatural soliciting
Cannot be ill, cannot be good. If ill,
Why hath it given me earnest of success,
Commencing in truth? I am Thane of Cawdor:
In this passage Macbeth seems to be questioning himself as to what he should do next. The first prediction that the witches made has come true, and he is now considering whether or not there will be any truth in the prediction about him becoming king. He seems unsure if he should act upon their predictions or not.
Macbeth is eventually...