Macbeth and Lady Macbeth in Theory and Practice Shakespeare's Macbeth has been the subject of academic research in terms of ambition, politics and sexuality. The predominant analysis is that of the relationship between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. This relationship in theory is full of sexual innuendo, maternal power, gender transgression and violence. Reading numerous essays on the psychological nature of the relationship a question came to mind: to what extent are the characters aware of the psychological effect they have on each other during the performance? In contrast to various essays by literary scholars, Sinead Cusack wrote with Carol Rutter in Shakespeare's Late Tragedies about her process of preparing for the role of Lady Macbeth for the Royal Shakespeare Company. Although his choices are not the only ones that can be made by an actor in that role, his experience contrasted with the theoretical models written by many scholars. Her relationship with Macbeth was real, not a theoretical analysis of the psychological effect characters have on each other. Through her written process and the analysis of the scholars cited above I will outline the dichotomy between theory and performance and the relationship between Macbeth and his Lady. Lady Macbeth and the witches Jane Adelman summarizes the psychoanalytic interpretation of the relationship between Lady Macbeth and the witches ( ibid., 140). Lady Macbeth and the witches mean that Macbeth has the role of both temptress and mother, an issue that will be explored in more depth below. Adelman argues that the Witches tempt Macbeth on the cosmic level, while Lady Macbeth tempts him on the psychological level (ibid 139). All the female figures r...... center of the sheet ......ber, Marjorie. "Macbeth: the male Medusa." Shakespeare's Last Tragedies, ed. Susan L. Wofford. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice-Hall, Inc. 1996, 74-103. Keirnan, Victor. Eight tragedies of Shakespeare: a Marxist study. London, NY: Verso, 1996. Nelson, TA ENGL 533 lecture February 18, 1999. Rutter, Carol, and Sinead Cusack. "Lady Macbeth's barren scepter." Shakespeare's Last Tragedies, ed. Susan L. Wofford. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pretnice-Hall, Inc. 1996, 119-133. Stallybrass, Peter. "Macbeth and the Witchcraft". Shakespeare's Last Tragedies, ed. Susan L. Wofford. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice-Hall Inc. 1996, 104-118. Staunton, Howard, ed. The Illustrated Shakespeare Globe. New York: Gramercy Books, 1979. Watson, Robert N. Shakespeare and the Perils of Ambition. Cambidge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1984