The Corruption Of Minor Characters In Lady Macbeth By William Shakespeare

Within literature, authors utilize the presence of minor characters to illuminate the qualities of the protagonists. In Shakespeare's Macbeth, Lady Macbeth's cynical desires for her husband to obtain the throne resurrect the hidden evil and lust for power within Macbeth. Throughout the play, Lady Macbeth encourages her husband to use any force necessary to acquire the throne, whether it be through devious lies or cold-blooded murder. At first, her own brutality contrasts the mercy and loyalty of Macbeth. Her husband is wary of deceiving those around him and is so unwilling to betray his kingdom that his wife dismisses Macbeth as a coward, mocking his manhood and commitment to the throne. This is particularly evident when Macbeth refuses to kill one of the royal family members himself and Lady Macbeth is forced to carry out the crime. However, after …show more content…
Macbeth was already deemed a hero at the beginning of the play as a result of his courageous victory in the war, but his craving for further recognition and glory led to his demise. Lady Macbeth's presence also demonstrated the relationship between cruelty and masculinity. She insulted and berated her husband for originally refusing to carry out horrific deeds and claimed that he was less of a man due to his loyalty and refusal to spill the blood of innocence and brave men. However, we have learned that controlling one's power and greed is much more honorable than betraying an entire kingdom for the benefit of one one's power. Moreover, Macbeth's wife demonstrates the difference between kingship and tyranny. If the king and queen were willing to murder the most distinguished and noble members of the kingdom, how could they possibly act as proper leaders of the