How Shakespeare Presents Macbeth and Lady Macbeth's Relationship in Act 1.7

Ever wondered how someone can convince another person to commit murder? Lady Macbeth's manipulation tactics in this scene are both brilliant and terrifying, showing Shakespeare's understanding of psychological warfare within marriage.

Lady Macbeth immediately takes control when she enters and senses Macbeth's doubt about killing Duncan. She uses rhetorical questions like "Was the hope drunk? [...] Hath it slept since?" to mock his weakness and question his resolve. This creates an obvious reversal of gender roles - she's the dominant partner whilst he shows vulnerability.

Her language reveals complexity in their relationship. When she calls being king "the ornament of life," there's irony since they're planning regicide. However, an ornament suggests something delicate and precious, hinting that despite her manipulation, she genuinely wants Macbeth to have a prosperous future.

The most shocking moment comes when Lady Macbeth describes how she would "dash the brains out" of her own smiling baby if she'd sworn to do so. This violent imagery proves her point about keeping promises, but also shows that despite their dysfunctional power struggle, their relationship fundamentally relies on mutual trust.

Key Insight: Lady Macbeth doesn't just use cruelty - she mixes manipulation with genuine care, making her influence over Macbeth even more powerful and disturbing.

By the scene's end, Macbeth's certainty in "False face must hide what the false heart doth know" contrasts sharply with his earlier doubts, proving how completely Lady Macbeth has transformed his mindset and demonstrates her psychological dominance in their marriage.