Feminine Malevolence in Macbeth
In Macbeth, Shakespeare includes many female characters, emphasizing on their feminine qualities and showing an evil side to women. Feminine malevolence is a recurring theme throughout the play, ranging from the first scene, involving the three mysterious witches, to the last Act, where Lady Macbeth makes her final appearance. Although the play seems to focus on Macbeth and the other men, the women and their evil ways carry throughout the entire play, greatly influencing the men’s actions. Feminine malevolence in Macbeth affects the characters’ decisions, the course of events, and the overall outcome of the characters’ lives, as well as the play.
From the very first scene of the play, feminine malevolence is portrayed. As the play opens, the three witches meet in the thunder and lightning, discussing their plan to meet Macbeth. ... In Scene 5, Lady Macbeth makes her first appearance. She is reading a letter that Macbeth had written her, explaining the witches’ predictions that he will become King. She immediately decides that Macbeth should kill Duncan, gaining the throne for himself. ... She is quite aware that Macbeth is unsure about whether or not he should kill Duncan, but she compels him so strongly that he feels obligated to do so. ...
Lady Macbeth’s negative influence on her husband continues in Act II as she justifies the murder of Duncan. After he kills Duncan, Macbeth joins his wife, distraught and severely upset by what he has done. ... In Scene 2, when Macbeth claims that Donalbain lying in the chamber near Duncan’s body “is a sorry sight,” she replies, “A foolish thought to say a sorry sight.
To link to this page, copy the following code to your site:
All Papers Are For Research And Reference Purposes Only!
You may not turn these papers in as your own! You must cite our web site as your source!
