How does the relationship between husband and wife in Elizabethan times affect the way Lady Macbeth and Macbeth act throughout the play and who has the power of control does it shift and why?

Answer 1

Initially Lady Macbeth controls Macbeth through a number of psychological techniques. However, when she hears that Macbeth has killed Duncan's grooms without her telling her to or even asking her, she realizes that she has lost control of him. She tries to get him into some kind of order during the banquet, but it is no use: he is in his own space where she cannot get to him.

The relationship of these two people has nothing to do with the social conventions of Shakespeare's day (not the Elizabethan period, actually, since Macbeth was clearly written about 1605). Struggles for dominance in a relationship are an issue as old as dirt. They are still an issue, which is one reason that Macbeth still resonates with people.

Answer 2

In Elizabethan times, husbands held more power in the relationship and were seen as the head of the household. This dynamic is reflected in the play "Macbeth," where Lady Macbeth challenges traditional gender roles to manipulate Macbeth into pursuing power. Initially, Lady Macbeth exerts more control as she pushes Macbeth to commit regicide, but eventually, Macbeth becomes more tyrannical as he spirals into madness. Overall, the power dynamic between the couple shifts throughout the play based on their actions and decisions.