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

Macbeths Female Roles The female roles in William Shakespeares Macbeth are those of the witches, more supernatural than human, noblewoman Macbeth and Lady Macduff, the latter organism presented in a minor, almost insignificant way. This paper will explore the role of Lady Macbeth and only make slight comment on the witches. piece of ass Kemble in Lady Macbeth finds that the main female role could live ended in madness due to the evil tendencies of the lady Lady Macbeth, even in her sleep, has no qualms of conscience her remorse takes none of the tenderer forms akin to repentance, nor the weaker ones allied to fear, from the pursuit of which the tortured soul, seeking where to hide itself, non seldom escapes into the boundless wilderness of madness. A very able article, published rough years ago in the National Review, on the character of Lady Macbeth, insists much upon an opinion that she died of remorse, as some palliation of her crimes, and mitigation of our detestation of them. That she died of wickedness would be, I think, a juster verdict. Remorse is consciousness of guilt . . . and that I think Lady Macbeth never had though the unacknowledged pressure of her great guilt killed her. (116-17) In Memoranda Remarks on the Character of Lady Macbeth, Sarah Siddons comments on how the feminine 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 entirely 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, till, in the pyrogenous furnace of affli ction, her iron heart is melted down to softness. (56) Clark and Wright in their Introduction 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 fixed her eye upon the end - the attainment for her husband of Duncans crown - she accepts the inevitable means she nerves herself for the terrible nights make up by artificial stimulants yet she cannot strike the sleeping king who resembles her father.