The Character of Lady Macbeth :: GCSE Coursework Macbeth Essays

The font of noblewoman Macbeth The character of Lady Macbeth is a complex one, there is much that can be said regarding the juxtaposition of ideas concerning her behavior. Within this essay I shall attempt to elaborate on her forceful, self-centred and contradictory character. Samuel Johnson within The Plays of Shakespeare highlights how ambition of a protagonist leads to detestation on the part of the readers Or in other words an ambitious reputation can be utilise as a tool by the playwright to produce a sense of loathing and dislike amongst the audience. The dangers presented by ambition are well described In Shakespeares time, it was necessary to remonstrate with credulity against vain and illusive predictions. These passions are directed to their true end. Lady Macbeth is merely detested and though the courage of Macbeth preserves some esteem, further any reader rejoices at his fall. (133) In Memoranda Remarks on the Character of Lady Macbeth, Sarah Siddons comments on the Ladys cold manner Macbeth announces the Kings approach and she, insensible it should have the appearance _or_ semblance to all the perils which he has encountered in battle, and to all the happiness of his safe conk to her, -- for not one kind word of greeting or praise 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. (56) In his book, On the Design of Shakespearean Tragedy, H. S. Wilson describes the role of Lady Macbeth Professor Kittredge used to point out to his classes that Lady Macbeth, in urging Macbeth to act, uses the three arguments that every wife, some time or other, uses to every husband You promised me youd do it Youd do it if you loved me If I were a man, Id do it myself But Macbeths mind is do up by her assurance that they may do it safely by fixing the guilt upon Duncans chamberlains. (72) L.C. Knights in the essay Macbeth describes the unnaturalness of Lady Macbeths words and actions frankincense the sense of the unnaturalness of evil is evoked not only be tell explicit references (natures mischief, nature seems dead, Tis unnatural, even like the deed thats done, and so on) only if by the expression of unnatural sentiments and an unnatural violence of tone in such things as Lady Macbeths invocation of the spirits who will gear up her, and her affirmation that she would murder the babe at her breast if she had sworn to do it.