Macbeth Rhetorical Analysis

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They say the longer ones around someone the more they become like them, and in some cases they may even become them. Humans are imitators of everything from speech to body language and emotion. This is a rule of human psychology and is a proven fact. In some cases a couple can appear to reverse roles, this is seen most in unhealthy relationships. This theme is one that authors and poets have used for generations. This is apparent in Shakespeare’s play Macbeth. In the play Lady Macbeth and Macbeth have apparent role reversals. In the beginning Macbeth is hesitant to follow through with the evil plans of his wife, but then he begins to take charge with the use of evil and manipulation all while excluding his wife and by the end of the play he …show more content…
Macbeth has tasted power and evil and now that he has tasted it he can’t get enough. Although, this time is different. Macbeth no longer needs nor wants the help or opinions of his wife. Whereas before Macbeth would never have committed crimes without the coercion of Lady Macbeth. Shakespeare conveys this shift of power in the play when Macbeth is going to have Banquo and his son killed and Lady Macbeth is excluded. “Be innocent of the knowledge, dearest chuck, till thou applaud the deed” (Shakespeare 7). Macbeth is telling his wife that it would be better if she did not know about his plans until after they were done and then she could applaud him. This is the first time Macbeth is choosing to go through with bad deeds without any persuasion needed, and Lady Macbeth is not included. Critic Charles Boyce believes, “It is clear that Lady Macbeth’s influence helps him on his way, but once he has killed Duncan he withdraws from her, and she has no role in his subsequent plots; he plainly can get along without her.” Lady Macbeth was once Macbeth’s partner in crime. Lady Macbeth was the one who introduced Macbeth into the man he became and he left her behind. He no longer needs Lady Macbeth. Lady Macbeth once played a vital role in Macbeth’s actions but he continued his