After his soliloquy, Macbeth resolves not to kill Duncan since the reasons against for outweigh the reasons for. In a well-developed answer, examine the tactics that Lady Macbeth uses to convince Macbeth to change his mind and to kill Duncan after all w/ reference to specific lines. How does Macbeth respond to these tactics? what is Lady Macbeth’s most convincing argument? Why?
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
In Act 1, Scene 7 of Macbeth, after contemplating the murder of King Duncan, Macbeth initially decides against it. He reasons that the consequences of such an act far outweigh any potential gain: he would destroy his conscience, betray his king, and risk damnation. However, Lady Macbeth, upon hearing his resolve, uses several tactics to persuade him to follow through with the murder.
First, she challenges his masculinity and courage. She accuses him of being “a coward” (line 39), saying that he is not a true man if he does not act on his ambition. By questioning his masculinity, she manipulates his pride and sense of self-worth. She asks, “What beast was ‘t, then, / That made you break this enterprise to me?” (lines 45-46), insinuating that he is weak for backing out. This challenges not just his courage but his commitment to their shared ambition.
Second, she appeals to his desire for power. She reminds him that they have already set everything in motion, asserting, “You would be so much more the man, / To be the king, than to be what you are” (lines 48-50). Lady Macbeth uses the allure of kingship to stir his ambition, emphasizing that Macbeth would only achieve his true potential by committing the murder.
Third, she manipulates his guilt and emotional vulnerability. When Macbeth expresses hesitation, Lady Macbeth plays on his fear of failure and mocks his previous promises, saying, “I have given suck, and know / How tender ’tis to love the babe that milks me” (lines 54-56). She compares her willingness to kill her own child to his inability to kill Duncan, showing her own ruthlessness and using it as a contrast to his weakness.
Macbeth is swayed by these tactics, especially her direct challenge to his masculinity, which cuts deep into his sense of identity. Her most convincing argument is her assertion that Macbeth must act decisively if he is to achieve greatness. She paints murder as a means to fulfill his destiny, and this appeal to ambition ultimately convinces him to abandon his doubts and commit the deed.
In conclusion, Lady Macbeth’s manipulation of Macbeth’s insecurities, combined with her appeals to his ambition and masculinity, convinces him to murder Duncan. Her most effective tactic is questioning his manhood, which forces Macbeth to confront his pride and ambition, pushing him toward action.