Macbeth Was a Weak Husband, but a Brave and Valiant Soldier Who Fought to the Bitter End

In the play “Macbeth” I agree that Macbeth is portrayed as a weak husband however a strong and valiant soldier. We are introduced to our main character as “Brave Macbeth” a “valiant soldier” who would do anything for his cause, however after a time his weakness as a husband shows through.
On the mention of Duncan’s murder Macbeth is adamant he “will proceed no further in this business” proving his wife’s opinion of him. He is “too full o the milk of human kindness” to murder for the sake of power. Macbeth is portrayed as not only as a weak husband but a character with weak resolve. It is amazing to see how quickly he changes his mind about committing regicide. It involves no more than forty lines of emotional abuse for him to alter from a resolute no to a reluctant yes. He is weak and has no will of his own. He does not stand up for what he believes is right not only for him but for the honour of his family; proving him a weak husband. Macbeth’s behaviour immediately after Banquo’s murder is a paradoxical reflection of his fundamental weakness towards killing. Macbeth is powerless to his “filed” mind as it fails him during the banquet scene. He has no consideration for his wife’s safety during his outburst, “horrible shadows” portraying him as an unthoughtful, weak husband. Banquo’s ghost is seen by Macbeth alone, it is a hallucination caused by his uncontrollable guilt, again displaying his weaknesses, he is terrified. “Approach though like the rugged Russian bear.... take any shape but that and my firm nerves shall never trembles or be alive again”
However in my opinion Macbeth shows his true weakness as a husband when he destroys all ties with his wife. He becomes so obsessed with the idea of power; something the two of them dreamt of, that he forgets her presence in his life. He summons a doctor to help her cope with her uncontrollable sleep walking but only considers a quick medical solution, he shows no interest in the fact she has a “disease of the mind”. He explains to the doctor that the cure is simple, erase all her memories. “Pluck from the memory a rooted sorrow Raze out the written troubles of the brain And with some sweet oblivious antidote Cleanse the stuffed bosom of that perilous stuff Which weighs upon the heart?”
After some time Lady Macbeth can no longer deal with her depression and takes her own life. The tragic news of the passing of a woman he once loved sparks no emotion in Macbeth. He admits that life is “signifying nothing” and holds no real value. This, in my opinion is the point at which Macbeth appears the weakest of all. He is not strong enough to hold onto the love he had for his wife while he fights for the power they envisioned together. Although Macbeth proves a weak husband he is a brave and valiant soldier. Who is loyal to his cause. Before we ever meet Macbeth in the play we have formed an opinion of him through other characters.. He is brave, “Brave Macbeth”, godlike, “Bellona’s bridegroom”, valiant, “valiant cousin” and ruthless. He is a valued member of society. A bleeding Captain spoke of Macbeth’s bravery as he threw himself into the bloodiest midst of the fray and hacked his way to victory killing those in his way, “unseamed him from the nave to the chaps”. His virtues of nobility, valour and his warlike power are seen as central and indispensible to Scotland. He is a warrior praised by his King for his commitment to his country. “More is thy due than more than all can pay”. Through this information at the beginning of the play we know Macbeth to be a brave and valiant soldier. In the final scenes we see Macbeth’s soldier like qualities once more, however he no longer fights for the good of his country. He fights to the bitter end to maintain a crown and power he does not deserve. He possesses none of the “King becoming graces” Scotland needs but will battle for his position as King. Macbeth is faced with the impossible circumstances “until Great Birnam wood to high Dunsinane hill shall come against him”. However he still carries on. “I must fight the course”. Due to these points I believe Macbeth to be a brave and valiant soldier. In conclusion, although Macbeth appears a weak husband through his lack of consideration for his wife he is a strong valiant soldier proven by his constant need to fight to the bitter end.