Is Lady Macbeth a fiend-like Queen? - page 1
Keywords: william shakespeare lady macbeth fiend-like queen drama
By exploiit on 19/06/2010
Level: GCSE Key Stage 4 (Years 10-11)
Page Number: 1 of 4 pages: 1 2 3 4
William Shakespeare (1564-1616) was an English playwright (and actor). He was very well educated, despite not attending university. It is unknown when Shakespeare’s first play was written, or in which order his works were created. It is known however, the he wrote plays based on English history, comedy and romance, as well as many bitter tragedies. He was well known in London during his career, and was appointed as Poet Laureate to the Monarch. Shakespeare’s main source of information for ‘Macbeth’ was Raphael Holinshed’s ‘The Chronicles of Scotland’. ‘Macbeth’ is based in 11th Century Scotland, and tells the tale of Macbeth, an army General, and his wife, who are both presented as cruel, cold beings. Although we can understand their given profiles of butcher and fiend, we are meant to see more to their characters. Their reasons for a number of awful crimes become very clear as they work their way towards the Scottish crown. The play explores the dangers and consequences of regicide (and murder in general). This play was a device used by Shakespeare to warn audiences away from these deeds, most likely because he was in service to King James. This theme was of great relevance to Shakespeare’s 17th Century audience, and still remains relevant in today’s society. This is what makes the play a classic – it is timeless.
In ‘Macbeth’, Shakespeare uses Lady Macbeth as a puppet to explore and challenge the typical traditions that women of the time were forced to practice. We follow her in her mission as she manipulates her husband, Macbeth, in order to ruthlessly obtain power and position in Scottish society. Through her plot to viciously overthrow King Duncan, we witness Lady Macbeth combat the conventions thrusted upon her by society. In doing this, Shakespeare presents us with a fiend-like queen. However it is largely argued that she is little more than a victim of an unfortunate situation.
When we are initially introduced to Lady Macbeth in the play, she seems to be a level headed and vigilant character. The letter she receives from her husband leaves her suspicious. She does not trust the witches at first, she “fear[s] thy nature, it is too full o’ the milk of human kindness”. Despite her preliminary uncertainties however, she is quick to greedily covet their predictions; “That wouldst holily; would not play false, and yet wouldst wrongly win”. We are expected to understand that her
Last 5 comments…
There have been no comments posted for this article, but you need to register if you want to be the first!