Macbeth showcases the manifestation of a disease-like transformation in individuals, leading them to adopt dark tendencies akin to a child. This affliction spreads contagiously, ultimately engulfing its final victim in self-inflicted torment. Nevertheless, people exhibit varying responses to illnesses. This dynamic is exemplified through the evolving roles of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth throughout the play. Initially, Macbeth encounters three mysterious sisters who foretell his future as Thane of Cawdor and subsequently as King.
After the initial prophecy, Macbeth appears to be afflicted by a particular ailment: “I am Thane of Cawdor. If it is good, why do I succumb to the suggestion that fills me with horror and causes my heart to pound within my chest? The thought of murder, although still only a fantasy, shakes me to the core” (I, iii, 133-136;139-140). Macbet
...h's fear of these thoughts demonstrates that he still possesses goodness since he is able to recognize their weight. However, he has already been influenced by some evil force. In fact, he has begun contemplating the assassination of his own King and gives in to these thoughts. Nonetheless, he continues to resist this wickedness within him, as evidenced by his statement: “If chance will have me become King, then chance may crown me without my intervention” (I, iii, 143-144).
This demonstrates his continued self-control and agency, with the hope that he can avoid taking any action that would result in him becoming King. However, he is fearful of the malicious thoughts that plague him, particularly the fear of others discovering them: "Stars, hide your fires,/ Let not light see my black and deep desires" (I, iv, 50-51). He worries that the light symbolizing divin
grace may expose the darkness within him to everyone. Strangely, this darkness seems to manipulate Macbeth's thoughts, persuading him to avoid the light that could both reveal his condition and aid him in combating it.
Lady Macbeth also contracts the same disease, but her response is entirely different. As soon as she discovers that, according to the witches’ prophecy, Macbeth will become King, her ambition and desires allow the sickness to take control. "Come, you spirits That tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here, And fill me, from the crown to the toe, topfull Of direst cruelty! Make thick my blood, Stop up the access and passage to remorse, That no compunctious visitings of nature Shake my fell purpose, nor keep peace between The effect and it! Come to my woman’s breast, And take my milk for gall, you murdering ministers," (I,v, 35-43).
The passage highlights the contrasting responses of Macbeth and his wife to the ailment. While Macbeth resists it, his wife embraces it by summoning wickedness and accepting it within herself. The fact that she desires to replace the nurturing milk in her breasts, symbolizing childbirth, with a harsh substance shows how this illness is eradicating all her maternal instincts. When Macbeth returns to their castle with news of Duncan's imminent arrival, Lady Macbeth immediately recognizes the opportunity and tries to convince her husband that they must murder Duncan. She assures him that she will take charge of the plan since he is currently unable to do so.
Macbeth is struggling with his inner evil and hesitates to act due to concerns about Lady Macbeth's desires and loyalty to Duncan. He states, "We will not go
any further with this plan. He has recently honored me, and I have gained favorable opinions from many people" (I, vii, 31-33). However, later on, Lady Macbeth's wicked influence convinces him to proceed. She confesses, "If he didn't look like my sleeping father, I would have done it" (II, ii, 13-14). This highlights the contrasting nature of Lady Macbeth and Macbeth.
At the start of the play, Macbeth is portrayed as a decent individual, despite harboring some wicked thoughts. In contrast, Lady Macbeth is initially shown as extremely evil, but she now displays a previously unseen human emotion, implying the presence of some small goodness within her. However, after killing Duncan, Macbeth is consumed by fear and guilt, confessing, "I’ll go no more. / I am afraid to think what I have done,/ Look on’t again I dare not” ( II, ii, 50-52). Though he carries out the murder, he forgets to remove the daggers and now dreads returning to face the consequences of his action.
However, upon becoming King, Macbeth's fears worsen and transform, making his evil nature stronger. He expresses his concerns about Banquo, acknowledging that their fears regarding him run deep and that Banquo possesses a fearless temperament. Macbeth admits that there is nobody else but Banquo whom he fears. Despite Banquo being present when the witches predicted Macbeth's future, including the prophecy of his descendants becoming kings, Macbeth suspects that Banquo is aware of his involvement in Duncan's murder. Consequently, Macbeth decides to kill both Banquo and his son, Fleance. At this point, Macbeth no longer requires the assistance of his wife, who remains oblivious to her husband's plan.
Lady Macbeth is growing weaker
and weaker, no longer satisfied as a queen. The evil inside her, which once gave her the strength to act without emotions, is now leaving her, replaced by overwhelming guilt and self-torment. In her despair, she reflects, "Naught's had, all's spent, Where our desire is got without content. 'Tis safer to be that which we destroy, Then by destruction dwell in doubtful joy" (III, iii, 4-7). Death seems preferable to a life devoid of happiness and consumed by fear. Macbeth too begins to realize the extent of his actions after the murder of Banquo. He confesses, "I am in blood, Stepped so far that should I wade no more, Returning were as tedious as go o'er" (III, iv, 136-138).
Macbeth, like Lady Macbeth before him, is now fully controlled by his illness. Despite the opportunity to turn back, he chooses to persist in his tyrannical ways, aware that it will be just as difficult to continue. Macbeth visits the three witches once more, who conjure three apparitions. Each provides a distinct prophecy: 1) He must beware of Macduff; 2) No man born of a woman can harm him; 3) He will not be defeated until Birnam Wood moves to Dunsinane Hill. Despite feeling a heightened sense of security, Macbeth still harbors fear towards Macduff. In this moment, Macbeth undergoes another transformation.
He becomes more ruthless, losing any hesitation he had before. After discovering that Macduff has fled to England, he decides to kill Macduff's family. He plans to surprise the castle of Macduff, seize Fife, and use the sword to kill his wife, his children, and anyone who follows him in his family line (IV, i, 150-153).
This strange disease seems to have drained him of all human emotions. It has a similar effect on Lady Macbeth as well. She expresses her willingness to kill her own child if it meant achieving their ambitions (I, vii, 56-58).
The disease has corrupted their minds to the point where they are willing to murder innocent women and children. They lack any pity and only have an unquenchable thirst for blood. Macbeth's disease intensifies his hatred and fear, while Lady Macbeth's disease consumes her. She sleepwalks and speaks about Duncan's murder while she sleeps. She realizes that she no longer has the strength to resist the evil she invoked. She attempts to find solace by claiming that she always has a light with her.She hopes that the light, symbolizing goodness, can combat the evil that is driving her mad and wash away her sins. However, it is too late as her fears, guilt, and troubled mind will push her towards suicide. Despite this final event, Macbeth remains unaffected in his behavior, showing no response to the tragedy. He dismisses it casually, stating, "She should have died hereafter,/ There would have been a time for such a word" (V, v, 17-18). It appears that the life of his beloved, who even influenced him to commit heinous acts, holds no significance to him.
Macbeth's primary concern is his own well-being. Eventually, he battles with Macduff, who remains under the influence of evil. Despite knowing that Macduff is fated to slay him, Macbeth refuses to submit to the rightful king and ultimately meets his demise at Macduff's hands. The roles of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth gradually reverse. Initially, Macbeth portrays
himself as a righteous individual but eventually succumbs to wickedness, which taints his thoughts. He initially attempts to banish these malevolent thoughts from his mind through sheer determination.
Both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth, despite their different reactions to the illness, ultimately meet the same fate - death. Whether self-inflicted or caused by another, they both succumb to this outcome. As Macbeth's inner evil grows stronger, his will and mindset gradually change. Conversely, Lady Macbeth is immediately consumed by the illness upon contracting it. However, she lacks the strength to endure its full force and consequences, allowing it to consume her internally. While striving to cleanse her soul and distance herself from past wickedness, Lady Macbeth's attempts at innocence only serve to intensify her self-torment for her committed actions.
