Discuss The Representation Of Women In Macbeth

Essay, Research Paper

Men dominated Elizabethan times. It was a patriarchal society. Women needed to conform to the social expectations. They were not supposed to show off their bodies. Their dresses had high, choking necklines, a plate that flattened their bosom, and layers of cloth that made them appear larger than they really were on the hips. The ideal picture of beauty was fair-skinned, red hair, high foreheads and very thin eyebrows. They spoke softly and did not express their opinions openly. Women were expected to be good wives and mothers, and they had to obey their fathers or husbands, because in a patriarchal society, women were possessions, and were basically owned by males.

In William Shakespeare’s Macbeth, however, Shakespeare constructs female characters that endorse this ideal and some that challenge it. The three types of female characters in this play are, the active female, Lady Macbeth, the passive female, Lady Macduff, and the we+rd sisters, who are those to be afraid of. All of who are very different to each other. In Shakespeare’s plays, especially, the audience familiarizes themselves with the representation of women by their own dialogues, and what other characters say about them. The dramatic techniques Shakespeare uses to construct his female characters are the setting, the character’s dialogue, including asides, and what other people say about them, especially behind their backs. Lady Macbeth and Lady Macduff are two very different characters, and there is plenty of binary opposition between them. The weird sisters, on the other hand, are ‘things to be afraid of’. These characters give the audience an indication of how women were represented in Macbeth.

Lady Macbeth is Macbeth’s wife. There are many minor references to her beauty throughout the play. Outwardly, she conforms to the social expectations, but her true character is an active one. She is ambitious, manipulative, remorseful and ruthless. Lady Macbeth would do anything it takes to gain power. Being the dominant and more assertive character behind Macbeth’s sordid activities, she is duplicitous as she can act the part of the good wife, and the quiet well-behaved female in front of others. However, when she is alone, or only with Macbeth, she is an evil and conspiring lady.

Lady Macbeth’s dialogue shows aspects of her personality in different areas. Her greed and power makes her ruthless, “Lady Macbeth: Fill me from the crown to the toe top full of direst cruelty. (Act 1 Sc. 5 Ln 41)”These words are very powerful, and they say that she would want to be filled with cruelty just for her desire to be queen. She is also quick thinking. She knows what she wants, and knows Macbeth probably better than he knows himself, and hence knows how to ‘protect’ him.

“Lady Macbeth: Your hand, your tongue; look like th’innocent

Flower, but be the serpent under’t.(Act 1 Sc. 5 Ln 63-64)” She also is extremely manipulative, as she dares him to be a ‘man’ and not a coward by convincing him to kill Duncan. “Lady Macbeth: And live a coward in thine own esteem When you durst do it, then you were a man.

(Act 1 Sc. 7 Ln 43, 49)” Outwardly, she conforms to social expectations, and she takes her own advice to Macbeth: “Look like th’innocent flower, /But be the serpent under’t”. Duncan and Lady Macbeth exchange many compliments and much flattery when he visits but Lady Macbeth’s flattery, however, hides a sinister purpose.

Shakespeare uses what other people say about a character to construct them. At the end, when Lady Macbeth is sleepwalking, her waiting gentlewoman and the doctor talk about her. “Gentlewoman: She has spoke what she should not, I am sure of that. Heaven knows what she has known. (Act 5 Sc. 1 Ln 40-1)” When the doctor observes Lady Macbeth sleepwalking, he gets shocked and says,

“Doctor: Foul whisp’rings are abroad; unnatural deeds

Do breed unnatural troubles; infected minds

To their deaf pillows will discharge their secrets.

More needs she the divine than the physician.

God, God forgive us all. Look after her;

Remove from her the means of all annoyance,

And still keep eyes upon her. So, good night,

My mind she has mated, and amazed my sight.

I think, but dare not speak. (Act 5 Sc. 1 Ln 61-9)”

This works so well in constructing a character because it shows her subconscious speaking, and the gentlewoman and doctor observing her. The doctor says that terrible rumors are circulating, and that an uneasy mind will not be able to rest peacefully. He says she needs the help of a priest more than a physician, as it is her mind that is unwell. He would realize that she and Macbeth are probably behind the murders of Duncan, Lady Macduff and Banquo. He seems to be afraid of the fact that this might be true as he thinks, but dares not speak. It constructs Lady Macbeth to posses a guilty conscience, and that she is not as bad as she seems.

The setting really shows Lady Macbeth’s duplicitous personality. In the privacy of her own home, she is the active character, who acts the opposite of the social expectations. In banqueting halls and other places where people might be around, she adheres beautifully to the social expectations of society. The setting clearly shows the two sides of her character.

Lady Macduff is Macduff, Thane of Fife’s w

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