The Weaker Sex in Macbeth :: GCSE Coursework Macbeth Essays

The Weaker Sex in Macbeth Shakespeares tragedy Macbeth exhibits a minimum of women among its dramatis personae. And of the two involved in the drama, only one is worthy of consideration - skirt Macbeth. The witches are questionable humans, but will be treated briefly. In Macbeth as the Imitation of an Action Francis Fergusson enlightens the reader concerning the fears weakening wench Macbeth I do not need to remind you of the great scenes preceding the murder, in which Macbeth and his Lady pull themselves together for their desperate effort. If you think over these scenes, you will notice that the Macbeths empathize the action which begins here as a competition and a stunt, against reason and against nature. Lady Macbeth fears her husbands human nature, as well as her own female nature, and because she fears the light of reason and the common daylight world. (108) Clark and Wright in their Introduction to The Complete Works of William Shakespeare contradict the impression t hat the female protagonist is all strength Lady Macbeth is of a finer and more delicate nature. Having fixed her eye upon the end - the attainment for her husband of Duncans crown - she accepts the inevitable means she nerves herself for the terrible nights sour by artificial stimulants yet she cannot strike the sleeping king who resembles her father. Having sustained her weaker husband, her own strength gives way and in sleep, when her will cannot control her thoughts, she is piteously disconcert by the memory of one stain of blood upon her little hand. (792) In Memoranda Remarks on the Character of Lady Macbeth, Sarah Siddons comments on how the feminine role of the prima(p) lady is not a typical one as regards attitude Macbeth announces the Kings approach and she, insensible it should seem to all the perils which he has encountered in battle, and to all the joy of his safe return to her, -- for not one kind word of greeting or congratulations does she offer, -- is so entir ely swallowed up by the horrible design, which has belike been suggested to her by his letters, as to have forgotten both the one and the other. It is very remarkable that Macbeth is frequent in expressions of tenderness to his wife, while she never betrays one mark of affection towards him, till, in the fiery furnace of affliction, her iron heart is melted down to softness.