Macbeth and Lady Macbeth

     Throughout the opening act of the play, it is evident that Lady Macbeth and Macbeth aren't exactly similar characters. When the three witches tell Macbeth that he is to become Thane of Cawdor, he writes his wife and says; "Whiles I stood rapt in the wonder of it came missives from the King, who all hailed me 'Thane of Cawdor", by which title before these weird sisters saluted me..." (1.5.5-7). Upon hearing this, Lady Macbeth is blinded by what she could have if this became true, and sets out on a mission to make this happen. However, she feels that Macbeth is not strong enough to make this happen; "Yet do I fear thy nature. It is too full o'th' milk of human kindness to catch the nearest way" (1.5.14-16). Therefore, Lady Macbeth decides to take on the task by herself and begins planning the murder of King Duncan.
     When Macbeth returns with King Duncan, he agrees to Lady Macbeth planning the murder. However, he later decides that it may be too much for him to handle. Macbeth does not think this is a smart decision simply because it is a selfish one; "We still have judgment here, that we but teach bloody instructions which, being taught, return to plague th'inventor...He's here in double trust..." (1.7.8-12). Macbeth feels guilty for planning this assassination because he knows that King Duncan is only in his home because he trusts Macbeth. He feels so guilty for planning this, so he goes to Lady Macbeth and tells her not to go through with it; "We will proceed no further in this business. He hath honoured me of late..." (1.7.31-32). Lady Macbeth was so determined to carry on with this plan in order to gain the throne that she completely flies into a rage; "When you durst do it, then you were a man; and to be more than what you were, you would be so much more the man" (1.7.49-51).
     It is clear throughout just the first act that Lady Macbeth and Macbeth are opposites. Macbeth is an honest man with a guilty conscience that weighs heavily on him. He wants to remain loyal to those that trust him because he would want the same in return. Even though his wife wants to kill King Cawdor, he knows that is is wrong and wants her to stop her plotting. However, Lady Macbeth is selfish and greedy. All she wants is power and money and she is blinded by the idea her husband becoming the thane of Cawdor.It seems as if she will do anything to get what she wants. Nothing will stand in Lady Macbeth's way, possibly including her husband. Although I have never read this play, it seems as if Lady Macbeth is building up lots of bad karma in a short amount of time. But will Lady Macbeth continue to build up this bad karma in the remainder of the play? I guess I'll have to keep reading.....