Lady Macbeth - Macbeths Incredible Lady :: Macbeth essays

Macbeths Incredible skirt In William Shakespeares tragedy Macbeth there are two main characters, star of which is more believable than the other. Lady Macbeth is not as lifelike or realistic as her husband. In this essay we shall explore her character. In his book, On the Design of Shakespearean Tragedy, H. S. Wilson describes the role of Lady Macbeth Professor Kittredge used to shoot for out to his classes that Lady Macbeth, in urging Macbeth to act, uses the three arguments that every wife, roughly time or other, uses to every husband You promised me youd do it Youd do it if you love me If I were a man, Id do it myself But Macbeths mind is made up by her assurance that they may do it safely by locating the guilt upon Duncans chamberlains. (72) L.C. Knights in the essay Macbeth describes the unnaturalness of Lady Macbeths words and actions Thus the mother wit of the unnaturalness of evil is evoked not only be repeated lucid references (natures mischief, nature seems dea d, Tis unnatural, even like the deed thats done, and so on) but by the expression of unnatural sentiments and an unnatural violence of tone in such things as Lady Macbeths invocation of the spirits who will unsex her, and her affidavit that she would murder the babe at her breast if she had sworn to do it. (95) Samuel Johnson in The Plays of Shakespeare underscores how breathing in by the protagonists leads to detestation on the part of the readers The danger of ambition is well described and I k flat not whether it may not be said in defence of some parts which now seem improbable, that, in Shakespeares time, it was necessary to warn credulity against vain and illusive predictions. The passions are directed to their true end. Lady Macbeth is merely detested and though the courage of Macbeth preserves some esteem, yet every reader rejoices at his fall. (133) In Memoranda Remarks on the Character of Lady Macbeth, Sarah Siddons comments on the Ladys stale manner Macbeth annou nces the Kings approach and she, insensible it should seem to all the perils which he has encountered in battle, and to all the happiness of his safe return to her, -- for not one grade word of greeting or congratulations does she offer, -- is so entirely swallowed up by the horrible design, which has probably been suggested to her by his letters, as to have forgotten both the one and the other.