Essay on Role Reversal in William Shakespeare’s Play Macbeth

William Shakespeare’s play Macbeth has a few main themes, one of which is role reversal. Macbeth is portrayed as a strong, fierce, and trustworthy soldier. At this stage in the story he had a conscience, and had a boundary between good and bad. However, Lady Macbeth is depicted as a devious and an extreme organizer, without a good sense of what is right and wrong. She would do anything in order to obtain supreme authority. Gradually they both change their views of power, treatment of one another, and their reactions to the murders and prophecies. Both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth exchange views on power and organization over each other. At first Lady Macbeth seemed to control Macbeth in every way. â€Å"†¦look like the innocent flower, but be the†¦show more content†¦Although Macbeth did not approve of the killing at first, as King, he has exchanged views. As Macbeth plans his Banquo’s death, he calls in delegated murderers. To get them to do what he wants, h e questions if they are men, the same way Lady Macbeth manipulated him. In addition Macbeth also plans to cry at a death that he orchestrated. Similarly he told his wife to do the same. â€Å"Be innocent of the knowledge, dearest chuck†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Macbeth is now taking charge and telling Lady Macbeth to act innocent at Banquo’s death, just as she did before Duncan was murdered. As power was transferred to another, the treatment of one another was also transformed. At first Macbeth regard to Lady Macbeth was equality. â€Å"My dearest partner of greatness†¦Ã¢â‚¬  He viewed her as an equal partner in the relationship. However, Lady Macbeth did not have the same opinion, she saw him as a softy. â€Å"†¦yet do I fear thy nature; It is too full o the milk of human kindness to catch the nearest way:† She sees him as a mama’s boy, who was breast fed too long, which has made him spineless. He is too nice to find and use the quickest path to his foretold f uture of becoming king. Likewise, Lady Macbeth also jeers at Macbeth. â€Å"And live a coward in thine own esteem, Letting I dare not wait upon I would, Like the poor cat i the adage?† Lady Macbeth compares Macbeth to a cat that is too afraid and cowardly to get what he wants. Moreover, Lady Macbeth is even moreShow MoreRelatedMacbeth by William Shakespeare1293 Words   |  5 PagesThe play, â€Å"Macbeth† is one of William Shakespeare’s tragic plays written approximately in 1606. The play centres on Macbeth who is a general in King Duncan’s army. Upon returning from a successful battle, Macbeth is confronted by three witches who claim they know the future. The three witches tell Macbeth that he will be the future King. The events that occur after this encounter between Macbeth and the witches are what makes this play a tragedy. 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