Maligning Female Roles in Shakespeares Macbeth :: GCSE English Literature Coursework

Macbeths Female Roles The female utilisations in William Shakespeargons Macbeth are those of the witches, more supernatural than human, Lady Macbeth and Lady Macduff, the latter being presented in a minor, almost insignificant way. This paper will explore the role of Lady Macbeth and only make slight comment on the witches. hobo Kemble in Lady Macbeth finds that the main female role could reach stop in madness due to the evil tendencies of the lady Lady Macbeth, stock-still in her sleep, has no qualms of conscience her remorse takes n 1 of the tenderer forms akin to repentance, nor the weaker ones consort to fear, from the pursuit of which the tortured soul, seeking where to hide itself, not seldom escapes into the unbounded wilderness of madness. A very able article, published some long time ago in the National Review, on the character of Lady Macbeth, insists oftentimes upon an opinion that she died of remorse, as some p every(prenominal)iation of her crimes, and miti gation of our detestation of them. That she died of annoyance would be, I suppose, a juster verdict. Remorse is consciousness of viciousness . . . and that I think Lady Macbeth never had though the unrecognized pressure of her great guilt killed her. (116-17) In Memoranda Remarks on the Character of Lady Macbeth, Sarah Siddons comments on how the maidenlike role of the leading lady is not a typical one as regards attitude Macbeth announces the Kings approach and she, insensible it should seem to all the perils which he has encountered in battle, and to all the happiness of his safe return to her, -- for not one kind word of greeting or congratulations does she offer, -- is so only when swallowed up by the horrible design, which has probably been suggested to her by his letters, as to have forgotten both the one and the other. It is very remarkable that Macbeth is frequent in expressions of tenderness to his wife, while she never betrays one symptom of affection towards him, t ill, in the fiery furnace of affliction, her iron heart is melted down to softness. (56) Clark and Wright in their unveiling to The Complete Works of William Shakespeare contradict the impression that the female protagonist is all strength Lady Macbeth is of a finer and more delicate nature. Having icy her eye upon the end - the attainment for her husband of Duncans crown - she accepts the inevitable essence she nerves herself for the terrible nights work by artificial stimulants yet she cannot pound the sleeping king who resembles her father.