be strong. Inner strength, not physical strength, is needed. Inner strength is only accomplished by having a high self-esteem. Macbeth does not and must use others to reach for independence. Macbeth needs this strength: It [Macbeth] hurls a universe against a man, and if the universe that strikes is more impressive than the man who is stricken, as great as his size and gaunt as his soul may be he will fall. (Van Doren 217)According to Macbeth's ideas of independence and of strength, he is neither independent nor strong. He feels the need for both and thus allows nothing, including murder, to get into his way.Shakespeare opens Macbeth with the disorder being stabilized by the king and thanes. The thanes fought "rebellious arm 'gainst arm" to curb "his lavish spirit" (I, ii, 56-7). Macbeth's stature increased to fill the space in the bundle of limbs opened by the death of the Thane of Cawdor for "what he hath lost, noble Macbeth hath won" (I, ii, 67). "When we first see him [Macbeth] he is already invaded by those fears which are to render him vicious and which are finally to make him abominable" (Van Doren 216).At the end of Act I, Lady Macbeth and Macbeth are discussing whether or not to assassinate the king (I, ii). Macbeth has not committed himself to this sin and to independence, he has not broken the commitatus bond that exists between the king and thane. Likewise, Macbeth's marriage is unstable as they argue, but their triangle is still together as they depend on one another.Lady Macbeth and Macbeth each experiment with external forces to gain independence from their spouse. Macbeth uses the witches, on which he becomes increasingly dependent. Lady Macbeth uses alcohol and Satan to "unsex" her and make her strong (II, ii, 1; I, v, 42). Both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth deny their dependence on their aid, and still require their spouse. Their self denial of their dependence makes them weak, and the more self denial the weaker they get. ...
