How Is Lady Macbeth A Monster
Despite the fact that her husband commits the murders in the tragedy, Lady Macbeth exhibits a war-like ruthlessness herself. She does not have any compassion or pity for anyone and strips herself of any resemblance of traditional feminine qualities of the time period. She displays barbaric traits stronger than her husband. Mary McCarthy addresses this in “General Macbeth”; “Why is it though that Lady Macbeth seems to us a monster while Macbeth does not? Partly because she is a woman and has ‘unsexed’ herself, which makes her a monster by definition” (McCarthy 162). The denial of womanly features is staggering. But not only is she malicious and evil, as monsters are, she strives to be that way; “Unsex me here, and fill me from the crown to
the toe, top-full of direst cruelty” (1.5.42-43). Being a woman and feminine relates to being motherly and kind. Being full of the direst cruelty relates to masculinity. This change of nature to viciousness is unexpected to the audience, as Shakespeare makes a woman who is more frightening than the lead male character. Not only is it barbaric to being ruthless and belligerent, but also to change gender traits willingly to become so.
the toe, top-full of direst cruelty” (1.5.42-43). Being a woman and feminine relates to being motherly and kind. Being full of the direst cruelty relates to masculinity. This change of nature to viciousness is unexpected to the audience, as Shakespeare makes a woman who is more frightening than the lead male character. Not only is it barbaric to being ruthless and belligerent, but also to change gender traits willingly to become so.