Macbeth Lecture (Part II)

Lady Macbeth vs. Macbeth

• Lady Macbeth was not completely cut off from her humanity. It ends up consuming her and causes her to kill herself.
• AfterMacbeth is crowned king, he and Lady Macbeth go their separate ways. What was once a relationship with communication and compassion turns into Macbeth's struggle to keep his power, and Lady Macbeth's fight for her sanity.
• "Things bad begun, make strong themselves by ill." -Macbeth
• Macbeth wishes to be detached from his humanity. This desire is the start of his destruction. 
• "She should have died hereafter..." was Macbeth's reaction to his wife's death. Not near as dramatic as Mcduff's reaction to his wife and children's death.
• The witches give Macbeth "permission" to go after the crown in whatever way he wants. He wants the crown anyway.

Banquo

• Banquo completely contrasts Macbeth.
• Banquo represents the connection to community and morality, regardless of the future he is told exists. Doesn't rely on what witches say, goes on living his life the way he was.