Lady Macbeth Research Paper
An important motif in Macbeth is the role of women. The women in Macbeth lay the foundation for all the men in the play. Lady Macbeth is the most substantial character; she is portrayed as the mastermind behind Macbeth’s sinister thoughts. Along, with Lady Macbeth come the three witches who build the conspiracy around Macbeth and his future. The role of women is the most significant component of Shakespeare's Macbeth. For Lady Macbeth, life was a game she controlled everyone and everything Macbeth was only one of her many pawns. Lady Macbeth is cunning, knowing, and conniving; she is the reasoning for Macbeth's interest in pursuing the thrown. Lady Macbeth was the one who planted the idea in Macbeth's head of murdering Duncan to
insure the title of King. At first Macbeth was skeptical about murdering the king; however, she forces him which again earns her the leadership role over and taking charge of her husband. Macbeth was finally convinced to kill the king which Lady Macbeth made sure she was in charge of. Lady Macbeth poisoned the King’s guards in order for Macbeth to gain entry of King Duncan’s room. As well as poisoning the guards, Lady Macbeth planted the daggers on the grooms that Macbeth brought back as he did not want to return to the scene. Lady Macbeth was very resourceful for covering up for her husband insanity at the feast in Act lll scene IV. “ Sit, worthy friends. My lord is often thus, and hath been from his youth. Pray you, keep seat.” (3.4.54-55) In other words, Lady Macbeth covers up Macbeth’s outburst from seeing Banquo’s ghost by stating he is ill and ask the lords to leave; which insures their horrendous secret is kept a secret. Thus, Lady Macbeth played a significant role in the play; also did the three witches. The three witches play a momentous role in Shakespeare's Macbeth. The three witches were the reasoning behind Macbeth’s journey to becoming king; as they informed him of the prophecies that predicted his future. The witches played a huge role in the play; without them Macbeth would have no knowledge of the prophecies, and would not have gone to the degree he did to obtain the title as king. Additionally, Macbeth would not have killed Banquo if he have not known of the prophecy that predicted Banquo's future royal generation. The three weird sisters are brought a supernatural feel to the play Macbeth. “ Fair is foul, and foul is fair.” (1.1.10) The witches say this in Act 1; Macbeth says something similar to the line. The two are connected due to Macbeth saying the similar line without knowing the witches said it, which leads one to believe something supernatural is revolved around the witches. The witches and their prophecies also lead to the downfall of Macbeth. The prophecy that states Macbeth can only be hurt when birnam wood falls. However, it lead to his destruction as he was left vulnerable when his enemies cut down Birnam trees in battle, without the witches this important prophecy would not exist. Therefore, both Lady Macbeth and the three witches played important roles in Shakespeare’s Macbeth.
In conclusion, the role of women plays a huge part in Macbeth. Lady Macbeth and the three witches take on huge roles as women in their own ways that is expressed throughout Macbeth. Lady Macbeth and the three witches are great assets to the play, and are the most significant roles in Shakespeare's Macbeth.
insure the title of King. At first Macbeth was skeptical about murdering the king; however, she forces him which again earns her the leadership role over and taking charge of her husband. Macbeth was finally convinced to kill the king which Lady Macbeth made sure she was in charge of. Lady Macbeth poisoned the King’s guards in order for Macbeth to gain entry of King Duncan’s room. As well as poisoning the guards, Lady Macbeth planted the daggers on the grooms that Macbeth brought back as he did not want to return to the scene. Lady Macbeth was very resourceful for covering up for her husband insanity at the feast in Act lll scene IV. “ Sit, worthy friends. My lord is often thus, and hath been from his youth. Pray you, keep seat.” (3.4.54-55) In other words, Lady Macbeth covers up Macbeth’s outburst from seeing Banquo’s ghost by stating he is ill and ask the lords to leave; which insures their horrendous secret is kept a secret. Thus, Lady Macbeth played a significant role in the play; also did the three witches. The three witches play a momentous role in Shakespeare's Macbeth. The three witches were the reasoning behind Macbeth’s journey to becoming king; as they informed him of the prophecies that predicted his future. The witches played a huge role in the play; without them Macbeth would have no knowledge of the prophecies, and would not have gone to the degree he did to obtain the title as king. Additionally, Macbeth would not have killed Banquo if he have not known of the prophecy that predicted Banquo's future royal generation. The three weird sisters are brought a supernatural feel to the play Macbeth. “ Fair is foul, and foul is fair.” (1.1.10) The witches say this in Act 1; Macbeth says something similar to the line. The two are connected due to Macbeth saying the similar line without knowing the witches said it, which leads one to believe something supernatural is revolved around the witches. The witches and their prophecies also lead to the downfall of Macbeth. The prophecy that states Macbeth can only be hurt when birnam wood falls. However, it lead to his destruction as he was left vulnerable when his enemies cut down Birnam trees in battle, without the witches this important prophecy would not exist. Therefore, both Lady Macbeth and the three witches played important roles in Shakespeare’s Macbeth.
In conclusion, the role of women plays a huge part in Macbeth. Lady Macbeth and the three witches take on huge roles as women in their own ways that is expressed throughout Macbeth. Lady Macbeth and the three witches are great assets to the play, and are the most significant roles in Shakespeare's Macbeth.