Preview

Lady Macbeth's Transformation

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
1123 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Lady Macbeth's Transformation
Believe it or not, everyone wishes to be someone different. William Shakespeare’s play Macbeth, portrays Lady Macbeth as wanting to be more masculine. Lady Macbeth craves for control over herself and Macbeth. Through her ruthless actions, it can be observed that she will do anything to obtain power and authority. The change of Lady Macbeth’s identity begins strong and leads to a downfall. After Duncan’s murder, Lady Macbeth gains her weakness back and feels guilty. In Macbeth, William Shakespeare displays Lady Macbeth’s transition from a strong individual to a mentally weak, guilty woman, illustrating the power of danger of being obsessed with power.
The play of Macbeth begins in Scotland during the reign of King James, where all the guilt …show more content…
After Duncan’s death, Lady Macbeth explains how grieving over Duncan’s death is abominable: “Who would dare take it otherwise since we/shall grieve and lament his death so loudly” (Shakespeare 1.7 79-80). The tragic hero and Lady Macbeth shall keep the murder a secret. The murderer shall remain anonymous. Lady Macbeth believes her feelings shall stay casual: “Look frank and innocent. To show your feelings/is dangerous. Leave everything else to me” (Shakespeare 1.5 70-72). Lady Macbeth demands Macbeth to remain calm while she plots a plan to obtain power. Through her unspoken actions, Lady Macbeth wants to maintain power. Writer and publisher, Amanda Rooks, expresses how Lady Macbeth was blamed for Macbeth’s “violent, reckless behavior” (Rooks 5). Macbeth presumes Lady Macbeth has an addiction to violence, and power. Mary Ives Thompson and Francesco Ancona explain Macbeth’s resentful marriage, “Think of Macbeth’s marriage to that ‘fiendlike’ queen of his. She is one who turns his noble and valiant conquests on the fields of war into ‘butchery’ in the eyes of his former friends and countrymen”(1). The marriage of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth is becoming corrupted. Through Lady Macbeth’s actions, it is evident that she is power …show more content…
"Overview: Macbeth." Literature and Its Times: Profiles of 300
Notable Literary Works and the Historical Events that Influenced Them, vol. 1: Ancient Times to the American and French Revolutions (Prehistory-1790s), Gale, 1997. Literature Resource Center, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?p=GLS&sw=w&u=birm64734&v=2.1&it=r&id=GALE%7CH1430002624&asid=73fa6ce04da0678690bc435e9ca5eb4a.
Rooks, Amanda Kane. "Macbeth's wicked women: sexualized evil in Geoffrey Wright's Macbeth."
Literature-Film Quarterly, vol. 37, no. 2, 2009, p. 151+. Literature Resource Center, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?p=GLS&sw=w&u=birm64734&v=2.1&it=r&id=GALE%7CA198941685&asid=77a96f45e8e5862060d655fc44e6e2f0.
Shakespeare, William. Macbeth. New York, Barron's Educational, 1984.
Thompson, Mary Ives, and Francesco Aristide Ancona. "He says/she says: Shakespeare's Macbeth (a gender/personality study)." Journal of Evolutionary Psychology, vol. 27, no. 3-4, 2005, p. 59+. Literature Resource Center, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?p=GLS&sw=w&u=birm64734&v=2.1&it=r&id=GALE%7CA147792453&asid=aadd9871a2c7e5eaf2f11b86b37428d9. Accessed 20 Mar. 2017.
Thrasher, Thomas. “Understanding Macbeth.” The Characters of Macbeth, Lucent Books
2002. San Diego,
Continue Reading
View Writing Issues

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Lady Macbeth Quotes
    • 653 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Lady Macbeth Quotes

    Lady Macbeth can be described as a dark and manipulative character as she urges her husband the naïve Macbeth into killing Duncan by questioning his honor and strength as a man. She manipulates him with such great effect that it causes him to override all his objections, when he still hesitates to kill Duncan she repeatedly questions his…

    • 653 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Explain How Ambition Is Responsible For Macbeth's Downfall
    • 741 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Explain How Ambition Is Responsible For Macbeth's Downfall

    Unlike Macbeth, the knowledge of the prediction, makes Lady Macbeth confident in her husbands future, and her desire for the throne strengthens and so does her impatiences. She believed her husband’s nature was ‘too full o' th' milk of human kindness’ to assassinate his own monarch and interpreted it, is a weakness. The controlling, Lady Macbeth manipulated Macbeth into submission by stating ‘When you durst do it, then you are a man’ to emasculate his character. Without Lady Macbeth’s persuasive ability, Macbeth would have never undertaken the unlawful murder of King Duncan and the unethical rise to the crown. Lady Macbeth was unable to control Macbeth, as he continued the heinous crimes of ‘Murder most foul’ throughout his rule. Lady Macbeth realises that her ‘desire was got without content’ as the consequences of their murderous actions, where met with remorse and insanity. Overwhelmed with guilt, the audience is able to witness Lady Macbeth fade in to the background, as Macbeth’s overshadowing, corrupt rule, grows. Through his wife’s ambition, greed and manipulation Macbeth’s morals are destroyed and his downfall as a person and a monarch becomes…

    • 741 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    How Macbeth's Character Changes Throughout The Play
    • 328 Words
    • 2 Pages

    How Macbeth's Character Changes Throughout The Play

    The play "Macbeth" shows how the character Macbeth changes through the choices he makes. Throughout the play, it describes how Macbeth changes into a tyrant after hearing his prophecy.…

    • 328 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Macbeth, Lady Macbeth's Character Change Throughout the Play. Essay Example
    • 566 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Macbeth, Lady Macbeth's Character Change Throughout the Play. Essay Example

    Macbeth is a play written by the famous playwright, William Shakespeare in 1606. This play was set in Scotland and features a variety of characters and themes. Shakespeare’s Macbeth illustrates two ordinary nobles whose lives are linked in a spiral of power and greed. Lady Macbeth’s character changes throughout the play. This essay will show her changes seen during the play.…

    • 566 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    How Does Macbeth Corrupt Power
    • 1093 Words
    • 5 Pages

    How Does Macbeth Corrupt Power

    A signal was sent off in her mind after Macbeth sent her a letter informing his wife about prophesies that was spoken into his life and that now he was Thane of Cawdor. She begins to make a plan of her own way to help these prophecies become reality. “That which cries, “Thus thou must do,” if thou dost fear to do, than wishest should be undone.” (Act 1, Scene 5) She came up with the idea of killing Duncan in order for Macbeth to become king. When she heard that Duncan was coming to stay with them, it gave her more of a reason to kill him that very night. The thought of power became a psychological problem for both Lady Macbeth and Macbeth. For Lady Macbeth to smile in the face of Duncan Knowing what she will be doing later on that night. When Macbeth finds out that Duncan has asked for him her begins to second guess about killing him. Lady Macbeth then questions Macbeth’s manhood by calling him a coward. “Which thou esteem’st the ornament of life, And live a coward in thine own esteem.” (Act 1, Scene 7) From the looks of things Lady Macbeth is using social pressure to make sure her husband doesn’t back out from killing Duncan. This shows physical evidence of a mental problem. Lady Macbeth thinks that this is the best thing to do for them to make the prophecy fall into place but this is only a way of her trying to get her and her husband to the top. In today's society the mental disorder that Lady Macbeth is showing is…

    • 1093 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Examples Of Masculinity In Macbeth
    • 554 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Examples Of Masculinity In Macbeth

    Macbeth is overwhelmed by guilt and beings to hallucinate daggers, blood etc. This scene introduces the idea that there is a relationship between cruelty and masculinity: masculinity being the qualities that are supposed to ‘make a man’,’ such as physical strength and courage. Macbeth wishes to contain his loyalty to King Duncan in the beginning but after being question of his masculinity by his wife, Lady Macbeth, he rethinks his loyalty to the King and murders him. This theme is one of the most significant events in the novel due to the relationship of cruelty and masculinity becoming prominent to the play.…

    • 554 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    How Does Lady Macbeth Change
    • 620 Words
    • 3 Pages

    How Does Lady Macbeth Change

    Macbeth by William Shakespeare illustrates throughout the course of the novel how the dominance in a relationship can change. Lady Macbeth is an ambitious character who initially portrays the role of a leading spouse over Macbeth but as the play progresses we witness an incredible shift in the orientation of power. The beginning involves an uncertain Macbeth who struggles to come in terms with the prophecy of the three witches. Macbeths indecisive nature proves to be an opportunity for the success Lady Macbeths objective. Originally both characters indicate their hopes and dreams for glory but it is Lady Macbeth who dominates and leads the ambiguous Macbeth into his drastic yet prophesized future. Macbeths chaotic rule begins a chain of decisions made without the influence of Lady Macbeth which ultimately destroys her power in the relationship.…

    • 620 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Gender Stereotypes In Macbeth
    • 1393 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Gender Stereotypes In Macbeth

    Macbeth needed to kill King Duncan in order to get closer to his goal of becoming King but was scared. Macbeth states, “[I]f th’ assassination/ Could trammel up the consequence and catch,/ With his surcease, success; that but this blow/ Might be the be-all and the end-all here,/ But here, upon this bank and shoal of time,/ We’d jump the life to come.” (1.7.2-7). Macbeth is weak and does not have the courage to commit murder. He fears all the consequences and problems that will arise if the King is murdered. A man that is weak and lacks courage shows a feminine quality according to the stereotypical gender roles. Furthermore, Macbeth feels guilty after killing King Duncan in his sleep. He states, “ Methought I heard a voice cry 'sleep no more!/ Macbeth does murder sleep', the innocent sleep,/ Sleep that knits up the ravelled sleave of care,/ The death of each day's life, sore labour's bath,/ Balm of hurt minds,” (2.2.35-39). Macbeth kills King Duncan and he starts to hear voices in his head because of the guilt. Macbeth experiences a shock of hearing these voices as he realizes what he has done. Not to mention, he is weak and cannot control his actions after the murder as he fails to hide the evidence, the dagger. The stereotypical gender roles subvert as weakness is seen as a feminine quality. Then, Macbeth kills the family of Macduff by planning murders using his power. He states, “To crown my thoughts with acts, be it thought and done:/ The castle of Macduff I will surprise/ Seize upon Fife, give to th’ edge o’th’ sword/ His wife, his babies, and all unfortunate souls/ That trace him in his line.” (4.1.149-153). Macbeth feels powerful and wants to take desperate actions. He uses his power as he wants to attack the castle of Macduff. The plan also includes murdering the family of Macduff. Macbeth gets the family killed and is showing signs of power during…

    • 1393 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Is Lady Macbeths Character Stronger Than Macbeth's '
    • 679 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Is Lady Macbeths Character Stronger Than Macbeth's '

    Lady Macbeth is an ambitious and ruthless woman who desires power and status. She appears stronger and more callous than Macbeth as she manipulates him to assassinate Duncan. However, as the bloodshed continues, her guilty conscience becomes more affected than Macbeth’s. Unlike Macbeth, who grows insensitive to the murders that he has committed, she descends into madness and (apparently) commits suicide as she becomes less capable to withstand the horrors of her crime.…

    • 679 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Lady Macbeth's Emotional Manipulation
    • 803 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Lady Macbeth's Emotional Manipulation

    In the first two acts of Shakespeare’s Macbeth, Lady Macbeth shows herself to be a formidable woman with aspirations and a plan. She is clear about her desire to become Queen of Scotland and by way of her internal conversation, she plans her manipulation. By knowingly manipulating Macbeth and applying consistent pressure, Lady Macbeth executes her plan. She encourages Macbeth to see killing King Duncan as the only logical next step to fulfill the prophecy. Lady Macbeth’s intent, blatant disregard for life, and emotional manipulation of her husband make her morally responsible for the murder of King…

    • 803 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Corruption In Macbeth
    • 676 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Corruption In Macbeth

    As a result, her desire for power allows her to be stronger, more remorseless, and more driven than Macbeth. In fact, she is fully aware of this when she declares that Macbeth is "art not without ambition, but without the illness should attend it.” This is why Lady Macbeth acts not only as Macbeth's confidant, but his also his controller. Consumed by her desire to become Queen, Lady Macbeth herself plots the murder of Duncan and when Macbeth questions the idea of regicide, she manipulates him with her powerful soliloquies. This is done by condemning her husband’s biggest insecurity; his manhood. She states that Macbeth would be “so much more the man” if he were to follow through with the plan. Lady Macbeth even points out that she herself would even kill her own baby as a means to reach her goals. This drives Macbeth to the point where he is “settled and bend-up” to prove himself. Her condescending inspiration is the first to trigger a change in his morals and attitude. However, as Macbeth’s own ambition starts to flourish and facilitate an obsessive and power hungry killing spree, Lady Macbeth’s character changes as well. She becomes helpless and is reduced to a weak figure that sleepwalks and is constantly trying to wash nonexistent blood from her hands. This is because she is so overwhelmed by the guilt of her treachery that a…

    • 676 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    "Macbeth" by William Shakespeare: Lady Macbeth's Loss of Control
    • 1253 Words
    • 4 Pages

    "Macbeth" by William Shakespeare: Lady Macbeth's Loss of Control

    Shakespeare, William. The Tragedy of Macbeth. Eds. Barbara Mowat and Paul Werstine. New York: Washington Square Press, 1992.…

    • 1253 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    The Change In Macbeth
    • 595 Words
    • 3 Pages

    The Change In Macbeth

    In the play, Macbeth, written by Shakespeare many mysterious things happen. In Scotland, a war rages on with Macbeth on the front lines. King Duncan hears of his bravery and decides to reward the bravery by making him the new Thane of Cawdor because of his traitorous. When news gets to Lady Macbeth she has mischievous thoughts to become the queen. Then hears news of King Duncan staying at the Macbeth household that night. The story of Macbeth is full of greed and anger. Macbeth is very greedy all the time, because of this greed he is anger at everyone trying to take what he has. Lady macbeth is also very greedy and angry. At the end of the story Lady Macbeth…

    • 595 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Thesis Statement
    • 432 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Thesis Statement

    Thesis statement- . In Macbeth, Shakespeare plays with gender reverse roles and the “traditional” ideas of masculine and feminine qualities to show how the characters are manipulated.…

    • 432 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Psychoanalysis and Feminism in Macbeth
    • 546 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Psychoanalysis and Feminism in Macbeth

    Lady Macbeth want to be strong, independent, more ruthless, and more ambitious than her husband. She want to achieve power by acceptance of traditionally masculine qualities. She seems fully aware of this and knows that she will have to push Macbeth into committing murder. At one point, she wishes that she were not a woman so that she could do it herself. The relationship between gender and power is key to Lady Macbeth’s character. She is a masculine soul inhabiting a female body, which seems to link masculinity to ambition and violence. According to Caroline Cakebread “… femininity is not an attribute to be equated with power and , in the murder of Duncan, feminine attributes lead to virtual erasure in terms of power politics. “ . Lady Macbeth is a crafty woman, power is for her manipulation to further her supposedly male ambitions. She manipulates her husband with remarkable effectiveness, overriding all his objections. Her remarkable strength of will persists through…

    • 546 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More

Related Topics