Stereotypes In Lady Macbeth

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When a character does something unexpected or acts in an unusual way, it typically carries significance. Specifically, females are bound to change and break from the stereotypes and roles expected of them. These stereotypes–which have been deeply rooted into society’s culture–and the ways in which female characters differ from or react to them are of main interest to feminist critics. Feminist critics focus on the gender roles and stereotypes present in literature and whether literature reinforces those stereotypes (Siegel). This particular school of literary criticism requires one to “look beyond rigid or stereotypical views of people and strive to value all humans… by emphasizing their unique individuality and importance” (Gillespie 1). These …show more content…

After reading Macbeth’s letter, Lady Macbeth cries, “unsex me here, / And fill me, from the crown to the toe, top-full / Of direst cruelty! make thick my blood” (Shakespeare I.v. p.12). Lady Macbeth no longer desires to act as a woman and wants to have more control. She wants to free herself from the limits that being a woman entails. She becomes strong, powerful, and cunning. Lady Macbeth wants to transform into more of an evil spirit and withdraw herself from her feminine weaknesses of being too compassionate and conscientious. In the same speech, she mentions, “Come to my woman’s breasts / And take my milk for gall” (Shakespeare I.v. p.13). In making this comment, Lady Macbeth emphasizes how much her femininity prevents her from acting brave. She wants to remove her feminine side–which is symbolized by her milk–and exchange it for true power and strength. Her deviation from the stereotypical, weak woman reveals that women do not always play the role of a caring, motherly figure. Shakespeare intentionally makes Lady Macbeth possess this strength in order to emphasize that women are capable of making tough decisions and handling

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