In Act 3, Scene 2, Macbeth retains his remorse over the brutal murder of Duncan and fears that he has only "scorched the snake, not killed it" (line 15), that is, he is still in danger. Although Macbeth is racked with guilt (and even contemplates killing himself - "Better be with the dead, whom we, to gain our peace, have sent to peace" - lines 22-23), he realizes that to keep his power, he must continue murdering until his position is safe. In this respect, the tables have turned in Macbeth and Lady Macbeth's relationship, as Macbeth is the one who is proposing new murders and convincing himself to go through with them, while Lady Macbeth can only stand by and watch. In fact, Macbeth chooses to not even tell his wife of the murder ("Be innocent of the knowledge, dearest chuck, till thou applaud the deed" - lines 51-52), showing that Lady Macbeth has succeeded in changing Macbeth's nature and is no longer needed in Macbeth's plots.
While it is true that Macbeth's actions show some signs of independency from Lady Macbeth, it is also important to acknowledge the fact Macbeth and Lady Macbeth's former equal relationship has now evolved into a more distant relationship, due to Macbeth's self confidence from his success in killing king Duncan to satisfy his personal ambitions. Prior to the murder of king Duncan, Macbeth addresses Lady Macbeth in his letter as "my dearest partner of greatness," demonstrating the two's remarkable connection and partnership (1.5.11). In fact, the equal respect Macbeth expresses to Lady Macbeth prompts her to plan the murder of Duncan, for she identifies that her role as Macbeth's loyal wife is to help him achieve his goals of becoming king. Following Macbeth's successful murder however, Macbeth begins to address his wife as "[my] dearest Chuck" in an overly polite and formal manner. Macbeth's awkward address to his wife displays a less intimate connection, which was shown in their previous collaboration. Macbeth further displays a change in their relationship by controlling how she should present herself. In planning the murder of Duncan, Lady Macbeth instructs Macbeth to "look like th' innocent flower, But be the serpent under't" to conceal who killed the king (1.6.77). Ironically, Macbeth reciprocates Lady Macbeth's words by giving the advice she gave to him earlier: "be innocent of the knowledge" (3.2.51) when she asks about his plans to murder Banquo. Macbeth's deliberate decision to keep his plan in secrecy and refrain from telling her his, plan further illustrates their progressive weakening bond. As a result of his ambition for power, Macbeth compromises his strong consanguinity with Lady Macbeth.
Before Macbeth became king, Lady Macbeth exhibited more authority in her relationship with Macbeth. However, after murdering Duncan, Macbeth develops independency and begins to assert power without Lady Macbeth's persuasion or consent. Prior to Duncan's murder, Lady Macbeth exerted more authority over Macbeth, and pressured Macbeth to kill Duncan. When Macbeth is hesitant in murdering Duncan, Lady Macbeth questions Macbeth's masculinity. "When you durst do it, then you were a man" (1:7:56). By questioning Macbeth's masculinity, Lady Macbeth bullies Macbeth into killing Duncan. Though Macbeth continues to fear the consequences of murdering Duncan, he is persuaded by Lady Macbeth to perform the murder. "I am settled and bend up Each corporal agent to this terrible feat" (1:7:92). Though Macbeth still believes Duncan's murder to be a 'terrible feat,' he vows to carry out Lady Macbeth's plan. However, Macbeth later refuses to inform Lady Macbeth of his arrangement of Banquo's murder, wishing for Lady Macbeth to remain ignorant of Macbeth's plot. "Be innocent of the knowledge, dearest chuck, Till thou applaud the deed. —Come, seeling night, Scarf up the tender eye of pitiful day …" (3:2:51). By concealing his plot from Lady Macbeth, Macbeth begins to assert power without Lady Macbeth's persuasion, exhibiting a power shift in Macbeth and Lady Macbeth's relationship. Instead of Lady Macbeth prompting power plays, Macbeth beings to independently assert his power.
Great paragraph overall, but the thesis could have been rephrased to have a greater emphasis on the dynamics of the relationship opposed to a summary. A replacement could have been " Prior to Duncan's murder Lady Macbeth was an equal conspirator or even was the dominant in the relationship, but after Macbeth becomes more independent forcing Lady Macbeth into a subordinate position. It was great to use the line about dearest chuck but without the contrast of "my dearest partner of greatness," from his letter it is not as strong as it could be(1.5 L11). By calling her his partner before it insinuates that they are equals, unlike chuck. And you could have used "better be with the dead," to contrast the line about the terrible feat(3.2 L22). This line shows that Macbeth wants to kill not because it is necessary, but to quell his paranoia. The line you used showed that when Killing Duncan was required to become king he didn't want to do it then. That would make the argument about Macbeth's change in personality influencing their relationship better by showing progresssion.
Although Macbeth conspires to kill Banquo without consulting Lady Macbeth, their roles in the relationship inversely change and tint their connection. After Lady Macbeth hears of the witches’ prophecy, she realizes that her husband is too “full o’ th’ milk of human kindness” to be able to adequately pursue his desire of kingship (1.5.16). Despite Macbeth’s longing for authority, his inherent kindness prevents him from pursuing the throne. Lady Macbeth acknowledges Macbeth’s inability to independently assert his authority and consequently summons spirits to block her “access and passage to remorse” (1.5.51). By getting rid of rational and moral thoughts, Lady Macbeth enables herself to help her husband become king without any ethical quandary. After Macbeth kills Duncan, he ambiguously foretells and justifies Banquo’s death. While Macbeth is initially overcome by the immorality of killing Duncan, as he plots to kill Banquo cries that his mind is “full of scorpions” (3.2.42). Rather than being filled with compassion and morality, Macbeth is now plagued with malevolent thoughts. Additionally, as Macbeth hints at his intentions to kill Duncan, Lady Macbeth says that “things without all remedy should be without regard” (3.2.13). Lady Macbeth’s newly developed rationality and desire to avoid everything that could pin Duncan’s murder on Macbeth mirrors Macbeth’s initial attitude towards the prophecy.
In earlier encounters between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth, conversation in most cases, was lead by Lady Macbeth, who offered Macbeth strategy and justification for their cruel deeds. However, in Act 3 scene 2, Macbeth took the reigns and individually forged new plans of murder and ambition. Though still in remorse food the murder of Duncan, Macbeth's ambition for power overwhelmed his mind, while Lady Macbeth stood merely as an observer to his conspiracies. Throughout the scene on multiple occasions, Macbeth reintroduced the immoral actions of times past, "Duncan is in his grave. After life's fitful fever he sleeps well.", which suggests to Lady Macbeth his continuous upset, and the hint at a conscience (3:2:25). The fact that Macbeth hid the plan to kill Banquo, and rather complained to Lady Macbeth about how "full of scorpions" his mind was, implied that he now felt independent from Lady Macbeth's pressure and help (3:2:42). The authoritative figure in the relationship had swapped due to Macbeth's overpowering ambition for power.
This argument makes a good point about how the strategic aspect of carrying out cruel and amoral deeds was generally assigned to Lady Macbeth, who superimposed the "illness necessary," upon Macbeth in an attempt to unkinder his "vaulting ambition," from his strong moral code of ethics (1.7.27, 1.8.18-20). However, it would be negligent not to mention that the balance of power between the two could also be attributed to the horrors which Lady Macbeth witnessed her husband commit, such as murdering Duncan and his guards, then attempting to reassure herself that everything is alright, "a little water clears us of this deed." (2.2.64). Additionally, Macbeth decides to exclude Lady Macbeth from his plot to assassinate Banquo, a testament to his growing suspicion of others, paranoia due to lack of sleep (“Sleep no more, Macbeth hath killed sleep.”) and overwhelming desire to maintain his position of power. Lady Macbeth continuously tried to remove the sense of morality Macbeth has, he was able to compartmentalize his violence by only fighting viciously in war, but with her influence, he became a monster who scares even his dark wife. Macbeth even calls forth the dark forces similar to Lady Macbeth before the murder of Duncan, “Come, selling night,…rouse.––“ (3.4.52-60). Lady Macbeth's serious downgrade from her title of "partner" to "chuck", which is synonymous for the modern "babe", further illustrates the transition in their influence over the other.
While the argument above displays the switching in roles in Macbeth and Lady Macbeth's relationship, it does not include the apparent tension and awkwardness in their relationship. When before Lady Macbeth was his "dearest partner of greatness", now she is treated formally and her opinions are ignored (1.5, 11). Macbeth is so caught up in his own quest for power that he disregards everything that Lady Macbeth has to say. When Lady Macbeth inquires "What's to be done?" Macbeth responds to Lady Macbeth saying "be innocent of the knowledge, Dearest Chuck" (3.2, 50-53). This exchange shows the distance that has emerged in their relationship. Macbeth no longer feels comfortable confiding in Lady Macbeth, and she has become wary of her husband. Macbeth realizes Lady Macbeth's discomfort when he says "Thou marvel's at my words", and this pushes him to keep information from her. Lady Macbeth no longer supports her husbands desires to go farther and commit more murder. Macbeth believes "[they] have scorched the snake, not killed it" (3.5, 15), but Lady Macbeth pleas "come on, gentle my lord, sleek 0'er your rugged looks. Be bright and jovial" (3.5, 30). The distance in their relationship grows, and continues to allow Macbeth to plan more deaths.
Since Duncan's murder, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth's relationship has changed in so much as they no longer confer regarding their decisions. In Act 3 Scene 3, Macbeth chooses not to tell Lady Macbeth of his plan to murder Banquo and Fleance; a decision he has made in order to prevent the prophecy regarding Banquo's children succeeding Macbeth as ruler, rather than his own children. Though he warns Lady Macbeth that "there shall be done a deed of dreadful note," he does not inform her that this deed is murder (3.3.48-49). He does not want his wife involved in another crime, because it was difficult for both of them to act genuinely surprised by Duncan's death. When Lady Macbeth questions Macbeth about what is going to happen, he replies by stating that she should "be innocent of the knowledge" (3.3.51). Macbeth wants no one to suspect that he is the murderer. By not telling Lady Macbeth what will happen, she can react with real emotion and truthfully defend his innocence. By withholding knowledge from Lady Macbeth, Macbeth is distancing himself from her; therefore, causing their relationship to become more secretive, and resulting in their no longer being partners in crime.
While the argument above makes a strong claim about the distance and secrecy between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth when it comes to his plans to murder Banquo, it is also important to make note of how this scenario highlights Lady Macbeth's overall downgraded role in the life and actions of her husband. Lady Macbeth, whom her husband once referred to as his "dearest partner in greatness", is now simply referred to as his "dearest chuck". (2.5.11; 3.2.52). The success of Duncan's murder has transformed him into a man of immorality and great ruthlessness, and he feels that he doesn't need the guidance or support of his wife in his quest to make sure the throne is passed on to his offspring, and not Banquo's, as the prophesy from the witches foretold. Lady Macbeth's own wisdom and cunning has been overshadowed by her husband's own ambition, and she has simply become an unknowing agent of Macbeth's corrupt actions.
While the argument above suggests the loss of intimacy between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth that develops in Act 3 Scene 2, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth’s relationship further changes as Macbeth exhibits authority in his own actions absent the advice of his wife who begins to question the morality of their crimes. Prior to Duncan’s murder Lady Macbeth commands Macbeth to “screw [his] courage [to] the sticking place,” encouraging him to have confidence in murdering Duncan despite the potential consequences (1.7.70). Morally uncertain and impressionable, Macbeth allows his wife to determine his actions as he solely feels capable of committing murder if “[i]t were done [so] quickly” that he did not have to consider the implications of his own actions (1.7.1-2). While Lady Macbeth advises Macbeth to “be the same in [his] own act and valor [a]s…in [his] desire,” she manipulates him into committing the murder and establishes herself as the decision maker in their relationship (1.7.44-45). Shadowed by his “vaulting ambition” to become king, Macbeth succumbs to Lady Macbeth’s orders despite his rational desire to act with “even-handed justice” for fear of the consequences of committing murder (1.7.27, 1.7.10). Yet, following Duncan’s murder, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth’s roles quickly reverse as Macbeth assumes the position of authority in their relationship and Lady Macbeth begins to question the morality of their actions. No longer the assertive individual in their relationship, Lady Macbeth explains she would prefer to experience death like Duncan than face the “destruction [that] dwell[s] in doubtful joy” (3.2.9). Plagued by guilt and uncertainty, Lady Macbeth tells her husband he “must leave” behind any additional desire to commit murder as she acknowledges the immorality of his ruthless actions (3.2.40). In response, Macbeth takes matters into his own hands as he plans to commit “[a] deed of dreadful note” without his wife’s involvement (3.2.39). He asserts, “[w]e have scorched the snake, not killed it,” displaying his eagerness to kill despite Lady Macbeth’s disapproval and the immorality of his own actions (3.2.15). Macbeth no longer relies upon the advice of his wife in determining his actions, asserting “[t]hings bad begun make strong themselves by ill,” as he believes that once he has committed murder he must continue to follow his malicious intentions through additional crimes (3.2.61-62). Instead of relying upon Lady Macbeth’s initial prodding to show himself as “much more than a man,” Macbeth tells his wife she must be “innocent of the knowledge” of his intended actions as he conspires to commit immoral acts independent of his wife (1.7.58, 3.2.51). Macbeth and Lady Macbeth’s relationship changes as Macbeth becomes more assertive in his actions and as Lady Macbeth assumes a position of rationality.
In Act Three, Scene 2, Lady Macbeth gives up her predominant management role in her relationship with Macbeth, becoming subordinate to her husband. Because Macbeth has taken the throne, Lady Macbeth’s supremacy has been abolished and her guidance has lessened. Lady Macbeth is no longer able to express her thoughts freely to Macbeth at any time she wants, but now is forced to politely ask his servants to talk to him as she would “attend his leisure for a few words” (3:2 3-4). Before Macbeth’s journey as king began, it was Lady Macbeth who had authority and pushed Macbeth into murdering Duncan. Without her counsel and fortitude, Macbeth would have not gone through with murdering Duncan, therefore squandering the throne. Although Macbeth may have obtained the throne through other means, his immediate kingship would not have been possible without Lady Macbeth’s leadership.
Although Gigi's argument expresses how Lady Macbeth has lost power in the relationship, I believe the couple has also become more distant towards one another because Macbeth no longer trusts his wife with his plans for the future. Macbeth blatantly lies to his wife when he tells her to "let [her] remembrance apply to Banquo; present him eminence with both eye and tongue" (3.2.34-35). Lady Macbeth has not been told Macbeth's plan to kill his best friend, and Macbeth makes no effort to confide in his wife. Macbeth goes on to hint at his malicious plans, but in the end only says to "be innocent of the knowledge, dearest chuck" (3.2.52). Before Duncan's death, Lady Macbeth was encouraging her husband to not hold onto his morality. Macbeth knows that this time his wife may not be as supportive, so he does not share the details with her. The lack of communication and trust shows how Macbeth and Lady Macbeth's relationship has changed for the worse.
While the argument above supports the fact that, "Lady Macbeth gives up her predominant management role in her relationship with Macbeth,[and therefore] becoming subordinate to her husband", it doesn't acknowledge the awkward tension that has been created in their relationship. Earlier in the story, Macbeth addresses Lady Macbeth by calling her: "my dearest love"(1.5.58), and "thy love"(1.7.39). This shows that there was once an intimate relationship between Macbeth and his wife, that has been lost after the murder of Duncan. During their conversation in Act 3 scene 2, Lady Macbeth first addresses Macbeth, saying: "how now, my lord"(3.2.10). This is the first time we see Lady Macbeth addressing Macbeth in a formal matter. Although it could be said that she is only calling him lord because he is now the king of Scotland, the formality/awkwardness of the conversation continues when Macbeth calls Lady Macbeth " [my] dearest Chuck", and "[my]dearest wife"(3.2.50, 40). By creating this awkwardness between him and his wife, Macbeth has ended another relationship with a close companion, just like with Banquo. The murder of Duncan has taken a major toll on Macbeth's mental health, and as a result his rationality and ability to carry out basic conversation with people close to him is impaired.
Macbeth and Lady Macbeth switch roles in Act 3, Scene 2 because Macbeth becomes absorbed in protecting his power and is an instigator of murder, while Lady Macbeth is content in her position. Previously in Act 1, Lady Macbeth leads and encourages Macbeth to murder Duncan, but the act of killing the king alters their relationship such that Macbeth is now the one encouraging himself to do bad. In fact, while in the first Act Macbeth seeks his wife's guidance in attaining his goals, he no longer shares with her his plans, and instead acts almost independently of her. Macbeth believes that they "have scorched the snake, not killed it,"and by saying so indicates how fear now provides him the drive to kill all by himself (3.2 line 15). Contrastingly, Lady Macbeth now has the mentality that "things without remedy should be without regard. What's done is done" (3.2 lines 13-14). She no longer has the first impulse to kill as Macbeth does, and is accepting of consequences. Also, the morbid attitude that Macbeth displays which Lady Macbeth would previously have appreciated from him when they were deciding to kill Duncan, she instead admonishes. Lady Macbeth now encourages him not to continue his dark train of thought, but to "be bright and jovial" (3.2 line 31). In their relationship, Macbeth is now the one to take control of the situation and act on his desire to kill, while Lady Macbeth no longer encourages him to act—she is content where she is.
Although the paragraph above makes a good point at pointing out Lady Macbeths desire to move past the murder in order to continue on with her life, it is also important to note that Lady Macbeth has no knowledge of what Macbeth plans to do, therefore it is not necessarily true that she would be against it. Macbeth blantantly lies to Lady Macbeth and instead of telling her of his plans to kill Banquo, Macbeth says, "let your remembrance apply to Banquo" (III. ii 34). Instead of telling Lady Macbeth of his plans, he decieves her and tells her to pay special attention to Banquo, even though he very well knows that Banquo will not be attending the dinner party. Like Katie has previously noted, Macbeth says, he "ha[s] scorched the snake, not killed it," (III. ii 15). It is also possible that he says this not because he realizes he must commit the murder alone because of fear, but because he realizes that it is the immoral thing to do and must convince himself that it is the right thing to do before telling anyone else.
Although there is a definite switch in authority in act 3 scene 2 between Lady Macbeth and Macbeth, Macbeth also distances himself from her so they are no longer even a team. In the previous conversation between Lady Macbeth and Macbeth regarding murder, they are on more even ground. Macbeth calls her "my dearest partner in greatness" and although she generally leads the conversation, steering him towards murder, they formulate the plan together(1.5.11). He treats her more formally, there is less of a closeness in their conversation. In Act 3 Scene 2, Macbeth no longer refers to her as an equal but as "dearest chuck", "love"and "dear wife"(3.2.51)(3.2.34) (3.2.41). These terms are more generic and less intimate, like the relationship Macbeth now has with his wife. He also makes these plans without her and deliberately keeps her out of them. Lady Macbeth must ask "what's to be done?" when she hears Macbeth's insidious tones and even then he merely dismisses her questions, telling her to "be innocent of knowledge"(3.2.50)(3.2.51). She is no longer his partner in crime, together creating a plan. And he intentionally keeps his plans to himself, as he tries to distance himself. Macbeth says that he must destroy "bonds which keeps [him] pale"(3.2.55). Since Macbeth thinks that bonds with people like Duncan and Banquo make him weak, he tries to destroy his bond with Lady Macbeth by being distant and cut himself off from her.
The relationship between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth has become a lot more tense. Lady Macbeth is unhappy and Macbeth would rather have the peace that death rewards because of the nightmares that plague him. He discloses this to Lady Macbeth, but she doesn't voice her unhappiness. Macbeth has started to become more in command with the plots, not consulting with Lady Macbeth (or needing her to bully him into doing it like she did with Duncan), claiming to want her to remain innocent. "Be innocent of the knowledge" (3.2:95) In this case, it is him that's protecting her from being involved or being caught involved, as opposed to after Duncan's death, where Lady Macbeth was the one protecting Macbeth from being caught by cleaning his hands and replacing the dagger. Keeping his plan away from Lady Macbeth gives him responsibility of the outcome and also gives him more power because he becomes independent from Lady Macbeth's influence. In a way, he switches their roles, having power over himself instead of his wife having power over him.
While the above paragraph conveys the tension that has developed in the relationship between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth and the authoritative role that Macbeth now embodies, the interpretation above fails to highlight the switch in morality that occurs between husband and wife in Act Three, Scene Two. Previously, as Macbeth is “his [Duncan’s] kinsman and his subject, strong both against the deed,” Macbeth displays his moral conscience and sense of duty that he owes towards Duncan while insinuating at the immorality of killing Duncan, his king (1.7: 13-14). Likewise, “as his [Duncan’s] host,” Macbeth admits the depravity, “bear[ing] the knife,” thus accentuating the ethicality of Macbeth in the earlier acts of Macbeth (1.7: 14-16). Lady Macbeth, however, lacks any moral conscience, instead displaying ruthlessness as she calls upon the spirits to, “stop th’ access and passage to remorse,” and to, “fill me [her]… with the direst cruelty,” (1.5: 51, 1.5: 49-50). Contrastingly, in Act Three, Scene Two, as “full of scorpions is my [Macbeth’s] mind,” Macbeth now lacks any moral conscience, instead only displaying a cruelty which Lady Macbeth once exhibited (3.2: 41). Macbeth additionally manifests his immoral character and remorselessness, as he wishes to, “tear to pieces that great bond [w]hich keeps me [Macbeth] pale,” (3.2: 55-56). However, as Lady Macbeth acknowledges that, “’tis safer to be that which we destroy [t]han by destruction dwell in doubtful joy,” Lady Macbeth expresses a moral guilt and conscience for their foul murder of Duncan (3.2: 8-9). Additionally, when Macbeth discusses deceiving Banquo, Lady Macbeth states, “you must leave this,” (3.2: 40). The object Lady Macbeth raises conveys her newfound moral conscience and guilt for their unethical murder of Duncan. Thus as Macbeth loses his moral conscience and instead embodies cruelty, and Lady Macbeth displays a sense of right and wrong, the roles which Macbeth and Lady Macbeth play are reversed from earlier in Macbeth.
Macbeth and Lady Macbeth’s relationship begins to disintegrate because of their vaulting ambitions for power, causing them to lose happiness and eventually swap roles. In the beginning of the play, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth plan to seize the throne by killing Duncan. Lady Macbeth, the mastermind behind the scheme, tells Macbeth to “leave all the rest to [her],” (Act 1, Scene 5, Line 85). Macbeth is left in the dark without a sense of how the plan will pan out, although Lady Macbeth eventually convinces Macbeth to kill Duncan instead of having her do it. In contrast, Macbeth in Act 3, takes on the primary role. He needs to maintain his power, but does not reveal his intentions to Lady Macbeth so that she is “innocent of the knowledge,” (Act 3, Scene 2, Line 51). When Macbeth assumes the position as leader, Lady Macbeth no longer has a significant role like before. In addition to switching their roles, “brave Macbeth” transforms to someone who worries about being stripped from his power: “We will eat our meal in fear, and sleep in the affliction of these terrible dreams that shake us nightly,” (Act 1, Scene 2, Line 18 and Act 3, Scene 2, Lines 20-21). He focuses more on keeping his throne that cannot enjoy life. Macbeth is plagued by fear because of his immoral method of becoming king. Lady Macbeth also recognizes that nothing beneficial has come out of their wrongdoing: “Naught’s had, all’s spent, where our desire is got without content,” (Act 3, Scene 2, Lines 6-9). Lady Macbeth and Macbeth’s ambitious efforts to rise to power have ultimately led to nothing. The two of them are not enjoying their lives but instead are worried about whether or not they will lose their place of dominance. Living in unease leaves no room for Macbeth and Lady Macbeth to have a stronger relationship than they do now. Their quest for power broke the bond between them and along the way, caused their roles to reverse.
In act 2 scene 3, Macbeth shows that he is now the one in charge of planning and thinking of what will come. Previously, Lady Macbeth was always there to sway Macbeth's opinions and to comfort him. It was her job to make the plans that Macbeth would then very quickly carry out. Without Lady Macbeth's heavy influence, the murder of Duncan would not have been committed. However, in this scene, Macbeth shows that he now embraces the leadership role and is comfortable with giving advice. When Lady Macbeth asks "whats to be done", Macbeth answers in the same tone that Lady Macbeth previously held (2.3 line 50). This calm and comforting tone is one that both have realized comforts the other. The role of authority has now switched from Lady Macbeth and now resides in the hands of Macbeth, the king.
Both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are troubled and are being driven mad because they now have what they initially wanted which was the throne but their "desire [was] got without content(3.2.7)." Lady macbeth believes that "Tis safer to be that which we destroy than by destruction dwell in doubtful joy(3.2.8)." Lady Macbeth thinks that it is awful that they now are in a constant state of worry even though they have what they initially wanted. both lady macbeth and Macbeth are plagued by their conscious and the fear of being exposed as duncan's murderers is driving them insane. Macbeth's and lady Macbeth's views on how to deal with the fear of being caught are different. As henry said we once saw lady macbeth being the more powerful one but now she is more passive and believes that they should stop the murdering; she says "what's done is done (3.2.14)." Now we see Macbeth fill the more sinister role and instead of dealing with this uneasiness of the mind by accepting and forgetting he intends to continue murdering stating that they "have scorched the snake, not killed it(3.2.15)." Macbeth thinks the only way to cure his fear of being caught and his conflicting morals is to murder his friend Banquo. So to add to Henry's point we see that the role of authority has now switched to Macbeth because of the different ways Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are dealing with their psychological distress.
Although Lady Macbeth's and Macbeth's roles have switched in terms of their cruelty and ambition, Macbeth takes on a very different role in terms of guidance than Lady Macbeth. In contrast, it seems Macbeth responds to Lady Macbeth's queries in a very different tone than she responded to him about Duncan's murder. When Lady Macbeth asks "What's to be done?", Macbeth responds with a condescending and dismissive attitude, saying, "Be innocent of the knowledge, dearest chuck." (3.3.50, 3.3.51) Lady Macbeth's response in a previous scene, when Macbeth asks, "[What] if we should fail [to kill Duncan]?", Lady Macbeth responds with a concrete plan and encouragement, saying, "We'll not fail … his two chamberlains will I with wine and wassail so convince that memory, shall be a fume." (1.7.69) Lady Macbeth and Macbeth seemed to have switched roles in act 3, however they switch roles while changing their relationship so that they become for distant. Macbeth becomes just as power-hungry as Lady Macbeth was in act 1, however he doesn't take on the same guiding and teaching role Lady Macbeth had.
While the role of authority has switched to Macbeth, Macbeth's tone is neither calm nor comforting. Rather, Macbeth further demonstrates his dominant position by calling Lady Macbeth "dearest chuck", as opposed to his "dearest partner of greatness" as he did previously (3.2.51;1.5.11). By calling Lady Macbeth his "partner", Macbeth shows that he thinks of her as an equal. But by calling her "chuck, he demonstrates that he thinks himself to be more dominant and therefore making their relationship unequal in authority. As well, Macbeth then launches into a speech that resembles that of Lady Macbeth's before Macbeth killed Duncan. Macbeth says: "come, sealing night" and "cancel and tear to pieces that bond that keeps me pale", however now, it is Macbeth praying for immorality (3.2.52;55-56). It is now Lady Macbeth who believes that murder was not a good idea, while Macbeth wants to commit more evils. Macbeth is now the mastermind in the planning and execution of murders, and does not consult Lady Macbeth anymore, therefore proving that their relationship has become a more distant and unequal partnership, if a partnership at all.
In Act 3, Scene 2, Macbeth becomes the dominant person in his relationship with Lady Macbeth. Rather than executing Lady Macbeth's plans as before, he instead plans his own murders and keeps his wife in the dark to protect her. He says, "Be innocent of the knowledge", hoping to keep his wife free of blame in case anything should go wrong. Also, Lady Macbeth had challenged Macbeth's masculinity in an earlier scene, but Macbeth is now confident that she will appreciate his cleverness and strength. He predicts that she will "applaud the deed" and be proud of his accomplishment. Although he felt severe regret and unease about killing Duncan, Macbeth now realizes that he must continue to murder in order to secure his power. He tells Lady Macbeth, "We have scorched the snake, not killed it", implying that Macbeth is planning another murder (3.2.15). Whereas before Lady Macbeth was the mastermind behind Macbeth's rise to power, Macbeth himself now takes charge of securing his kingship.
While I agree with the paragraph above, I do think that Macbeth is hiding the details of his murderous plans, not to simply protect Lady Macbeth, but also, because, due to his newfound power in their relationship, he no longer finds it necessary to confide in her his plan to kill Banquo and Fleance. Rather than being Macbeth's "dearest partner of greatness," the title Macbeth gives her when they plan to kill Duncan, he now refers to her as his "dearest chuck" who should "[b]e innocent of the knowledge" regarding his impending murderous actions, showing how Lady Macbeth has been isolated from her husband and his nefarious plans because he simply no longer sees the need to involve her in his scheming and plotting (Act 1. Scene 5. Line 11; Act 3. Scene 2. Line 51). Also, while the paragraph above talks about the power shift between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth, more evidence for this same shift can be seen when Macbeth tells Lady Macbeth they must "make [their] faces vizards to [their] hearts,…[d]isguising what they are," (Act 3. Scene 2. Lines 38-39). This request is reminiscent of the time when Lady Macbeth tells Macbeth to "[l]ook like th' innocent…flower,…[b]ut be the serpent under 't." (in Act 1, Scene 6. Lines 76-78). While both are telling the other the same thing: to hide their real emotions and plans, the fact that Macbeth is now saying this to Lady Macbeth shows that he now has the majority of the power in the relationship, for when Lady Macbeth first requests Macbeth to hide his emotions, she is seen as the mastermind and more powerful person in the relationship, but now the roles are reversed.
This paragraph argues well that Macbeth goes from following Lady Macbeth's instructions to becoming independent of her, but it is also important to note that Lady Macbeth shifts from encouraging murder to discouraging further action, and that Macbeth not only follows his own plan but ignores Lady Macbeth's advice. Lady Macbeth attempts to stop Macbeth from worrying further about his power by saying to him "things without all remedy should be without regard," but rather than follow her advice Macbeth continues to "regard" his crime: he replies with "she'll [the metaphorical snake] close and be herself," arguing that danger still persists (3.2.13-14, 16-17). Lady Macbeth says again to "be bright and jovial," and then to "leave this [attitude]," but Macbeth remains unaffected by her (3.2.31, 40). Macbeth even calls Lady Macbeth "dearest chuck" as opposed to before when he called her "dearest partner in greatness," suggesting that he no longer regards her as sharing his "greatness" (3.2.51, 1.5.11).