What is self-knowledge? Self-knowledge is having an understanding of oneself, as well as ones abilities and goals. Macbeth possessed self-knowledge during the beginning scenes of the play. However, his self-knowledge began to diminish due to his wife, the witches and the apparitions. "I have no spur to prick the sides of my intent, but only vaulting ambition, which o'erlaps itself and falls on th' other." (I.vii.26-28) Ambition: the only sort of self-awareness that Macbeth possesses. He is aware that he has a strong ambition and that it will be the downfall of him. He proves himself right in the end of the play when he loses everything.
Lady Macbeth was a huge factor in Macbeth's lack of self-knowledge. On numerous occasions, Lady Macbeth would call Macbeth down to his lowest, belittling him and attacking his manhood. By doing this, she could convince Macbeth to do anything; such as the murder of King Duncan. Leading up to the murder of Duncan, Macbeth would often attempt to express his true feelings about the situation. Each time he tried, his opinions were shot down by Lady Macbeth, who would time and time again attack his manhood making him feel like the only choice he had was to commit murder. Lady Macbeth would say things such as "I have given suck, and know how tender 'tis to love the babe that milks me. I would, while it was smiling in my face, have plucked my nipple from his boneless gums and dashed the brains out, had I so sworn as you have done to this." (I.vii.55-59). This quote made Macbeth feel like he had to murder Duncan because he "swore" to do it. When Macbeth expresses his lack of courage, she refutes his statements by belittling him. "We fail? But screw your courage to the sticking place and we shall not fail." (I.vii.59-61). She tells Macbeth that he has to stop being such a coward if he wants to kill Duncan. Lady Macbeth knows just how to manipulate her husband into doing anything she wants him to do.
