Macbeth

."In the early part of the play we see Macbeth as hesitant, agonised, fearful and conscience stricken; we see his wife as decisive, ruthless, and unscrupulous. As the play progresses there is a fine irony in the gradual reversal of their positions" In the beginning of Macbeth, Shakespeare portrays Macbeth as an uncertain, scared man who is plagued by his conscience and morals. Lady Macbeth, however, is seen in a very different light; she is …

…the play. Macbeth gradually went from being guilty, honest and good to a tyrant. Lady Macbeth, however., suddenly went from a hard, ruthless and immoral person to someone plagued by guilt and remorse. This switch of roles not only heightens the tragedy but is also highly ironic. The irony in these tragic characters in illustrated by: 'These deeds must not be thought after these ways: so; it will make us mad' (Act II, Sc ii).