Role Of Women In Macbeth

In traditional literature, females are commonly portrayed in a negative light by male writers. The belief that females are inferior to men has resulted in a patriarchal society within the majority of the world. Not until recently have females been commonly portrayed as strong and independent characters. In the poem, Macbeth, Shakespeare diverts from the usual portrayal of women through a major character, Lady Macbeth. The ironic depiction of women presented in Macbeth challenges the view of women during the Medieval era while still hindering equality for women.

Within relationships, women have dominance over their male partners through the use of their sexual power. This relationship between men and women can become sources of conflict. In

In Macbeth’s relationship with Lady Macbeth, the roles are reversed. Lady Macbeth is far more courageous and fearless than Macbeth who often expresses his fear and uncertainty. In act 2 scene 2, Lady Macbeth sees that Macbeth’s hands are still bloody so she scolds him and tells him to return the daggers back to the two drunk servants. In line 54 to 55, Macbeth says “I’ll go no more. I am afraid to think what I have done” and in lines 57 and 60, Lady Macbeth replies “Give me the daggers … I'll find the faces of the grooms withal” (Shakespeare 824-5). Lady Macbeth knows that she has to resolve the problem of getting rid of the evidence when Macbeth is too afraid to. Not only does Shakespeare reverse roles but he also emphasizes the change in roles by portraying Macbeth like as innocent and afraid child who needs the help of a parent to fix their

Not only are women portrayed as dominant, but they are also portrayed as evil beings with selfish motives. After Lady Macbeth receives the letter from Macbeth in act 1 scene 5, she says that Macbeth is too kind to kill King Duncan and seize the title. She says she will persuade him to seize what he deserves in lines 26 to 27. “That I may pour my spirits in thine ear And chastise with the valor of my tongue” (Shakespeare 810). This scene shows reveals that Macbeth would never kill King Duncan without the influence of Lady Macbeth. Lady Macbeth and Macbeth allude to Adam and Eve in the Bible. Like Lady Macbeth convinced Macbeth to commit murder, Eve convinces Adam to commit a sin which led to the fall of humankind. This portrayal of women has caused women to be inferior to men in society. The poem reinforces the idea that women are more sinful than men and without women, the fall would have never occurred. Women cannot gain full equality if men continue think that women are more evil than men.

In Macbeth, Shakespeare presented an unordinary female character that broke past the typical depiction of women during the Medieval era though Lady Macbeth’s character flaw directs the story away from breaking the stereotype. Ultimately, the story both promotes and hinders the equality for