Lady Macbeth, Macbeths One-of-a-Kind Woman Essay

Macbeths One-of-a-Kind Woman Shakespeares Macbeth portrays the indomitable, manipulative character of Lady Macbeth through bold, sinister actions. Her character will be the subject of this essay. Lily B. Campbell in her volume of criticism, Shakespeares Tragic Heroes: Slaves of Passion, examines the effect of sin on the life of the first lady: Act v presents swiftly and relentlessly the results of passion, of the passion which has become mortal sin. First it is Lady Macbeth that we see enduring the fate of the sinful in whom fear and remorse have already begun to effect the punishment for evil. That Shakespeare chose to manifest Lady Macbeths melancholy as a disturbance in her sleep shows that he†¦show more content†¦The passions are directed to their true end. Lady Macbeth is merely detested; and though the courage of Macbeth preserves some esteem, yet every reader rejoices at his fall. (133) L.C. Knights in the essay Macbeth describes the unnaturalness of Lady Macbeths words and actions: Thus the sense of the unnaturalness of evil is evoked not only be repeated explicit references (natures mischief, nature seems dead, Tis unnatural, even like the deed thats done, and so on) but by the expression of unnatural sentiments and an unnatural violence of tone in such things as Lady Macbeths invocation of the spirits who will unsex her, and her affirmation that she would murder the babe at her breast if she had sworn to do it. (95) In Macbeth as the Imitation of an Action Francis Fergusson specifies the fears within Lady Macbeth: I do not need to remind you of the great scenes preceding the murder, in which Macbeth and his Lady pull themselves together for their desperate effort. If you think over these scenes, you will notice that the Macbeths understand the action which begins here as a competition and a stunt, against reasonShow MoreRelatedMacbeth by William Shakespeare1293 Words   |  5 PagesThe play, â€Å"Macbeth† is one of William Shakespeare’s tragic plays written approximately in 1606. The play centres on Macbeth who is a general in King Duncan’s army. Upon returning from a successful battle, Macbeth is confronted by three witches who claim they know the future. The three witches tell Macbeth that he will be the future King. The events that occur after this encounter between Macbeth and the witches are what makes this play a tragedy. This essay will focus on the treatment of gender inRead MoreFair Is Foul and Foul Is Fair1004 Words   |  5 Pagesfoul and foul is fair†. The text Macbeth is asphyxiated in themes of treachery, dishonesty, deception shown by the quote â€Å"Fair is foul and foul is fair†. This quote shows that despite the fact that something appears to be devout and pure it may underneath be treacherous and evil. The text is smothered in lies and betrayal from various characters. Shakespeare portrays this theme through the Witches and Hecate’s meandering of Macbeth’s prophecy which tricks Macbeth in to believing he is insuperableRead MoreEvil in Women and Its Effect on Macbeth Essay784 Words   |  4 PagesEvil In Women and Its Effect on Macbeth ...My thought, whose murder yet is but fantastical, Shakes so my single state of man that function Is smotherd in surmise, and nothing is But what is not. (1.3.140-143). Throughout Shakespeares play, we see that Macbeth is the victim of evil seduction by women. In the above quote the evil is perpetrated by the witches. Lady Macbeth also plays a strong role in his moral corruption. ... the influence of Lady Macbeth (though she too has an inarticulateRead MoreLady Macbeths Ironical Fate Essay1597 Words   |  7 PagesPatricia S#225;nchez Calvo Lady Macbeths Ironical Fate Evil is a deceiving force. It can help you reach your goals but evils gains are always bitter and two-faced. In Shakespeares tragedy Macbeth, the character of Lady Macbeth chooses the path of evil to fulfill her unscrupulous ambition; nevertheless, all that evil brings to her is madness and restlessness. Evil is a powerful force throughout the play; it influences the two main characters, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth, to commit heinous crimesRead MoreFeminism in Macbeth1712 Words   |  7 PagesFeminism is the Source of Tragedy in Macbeth Behind every successful man there is a ruthless woman pushing him along to gain her own personal successes. In Shakespeare’s Macbeth, Lady Macbeth causes Macbeths downfall. With the faults and lies of Lady Macbeth, marriage is Macbeth’s big mistake. Lady Macbeth turns his courageous conquests on the fields of war into butchery. Mangled by the blood-spotted hands of his wife he becomes a traitor to himself, the people around him, and even her. In theRead MoreMacbeth and His Downfall1613 Words   |  7 PagesDiscuss Macbeth’s Ruin... People and decisions can greatly affect the outcome of a persons life determining whether the outcome will be successful or disastrous. In Shakespeare’s Macbeth, there are two factors that contributed to Macbeths ruin. One of them being more to blame: The influential character of Lady Macbeth displaying temptation towards Macbeth, or Macbeths own ambitious and insecure nature. There are questions whether Macbeths downfall might have displayed more for his own blameRead MoreLady Macbeth, By William Shakespeare Essay1674 Words   |  7 PagesThe obvious reading of this passage would be of Lady Macbeth as domineering and manipulative in pursuit of her own goals. But that reading discounts the loyalty and dedication she has shown to Macbeth and his success. By encouraging violence through questioning his manhood, masculinity and violence become inextricably linked. This connection essentially defines masculinity as violence within the world of Macbeth. The relationship between po wer, violence, and masculinity alienate women and power andRead MoreHow Shakespeares Macbeth Challenges the View of Typical Manhood1037 Words   |  5 PagesMacbeth written by William Shakespeare brought the attention of the audience through the violence and the unexpected plot. Through the actions of the protagonist, he portrays many different ideas. One of the ideas he questions is manhood as it deals it in a unconventional way. Instead of portraying the protagonist actions that portray manhood, he has to struggle with the definition of manhood throughout the play. Additionally Shakespeare has shown different viewpoints of men and women in the playRead MoreGender And Gender Roles In William Shakespeares Macbeth1397 Words   |  6 Pageson a patron, King James I, of his acting company. The tragedy was Macbeth, and it was about a Scottish nobleman who committed unimaginable acts for his own gain and benefit simply because of a prophecy. Shakespeare had demolished the stereotypes g iven by society to men and women in that time period by creating his characters to be the exact opposite of what was expected. This is evident in Macbeth’s opinion of his wife, Lady Macbeth’s shocking personality and in the three witches’ mocking and darkRead MoreChanging Relationship Between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth1173 Words   |  5 PagesHow does the relationship between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth change throughout the play? In the early stages of the play, the Macbeths seem to be a devoted couple. Their love and concern for each other remains strong and constant throughout the play, but their relationship changes dramatically following the ruthless killing of King Duncan in Act II. At the beginning of the play, Macbeth and his lady are very close, this is supported by how he referred to her in his letter as â€Å"my dearest partner of