How does Lady Macbeth promote Macbeth's plot? How does she manipulate other characters, especially her husband, and what is the aftermath? What effect does her behaviour have on herself? These questions will be answered in the examination of the role of Lady Macbeth.
Lady Macbeth sets up her plan immediately after having read Macbeth's letter in which he reports of three witches' prophecies of him being thane of Glamis, becoming thane of Cawdor and finally King. After the fulfilment of the first prophecy that Macbeth would become thane of Cawdor, it is no question for Lady Macbeth that her husband should and will become the King of Scotland. So she does not hesitate to take the decision to talk him into murdering the present King. The consequences of her decision and her following behaviour will be examined in this term paper.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- 1. Introduction...
- 2. Gender Roles in the Shakespearian Play Macbeth...
- 3. Lady Macbeth's Influence on the Plot of Macbeth...
- 3.1 Act One - Lady Macbeth as Decision-Maker...
- 3.2 Act Two The Plan Succeeds...
- 3.3 Act Three - Keeping Up Appearances...
- 3.4 Act Five Getting to Feel the Consequences...
- 4. Conclusion.........
- 5. Bibliography..
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This term paper examines the role of Lady Macbeth in William Shakespeare's play Macbeth, focusing on her influence on the plot and the consequences of her actions. The paper aims to analyze how Lady Macbeth manipulates other characters, particularly her husband, and the impact of her behavior on herself.
- The influence of Lady Macbeth's ambition on Macbeth's actions.
- The portrayal of gender roles in Elizabethan England and how they are challenged by Lady Macbeth's character.
- The consequences of Lady Macbeth's ambition and her descent into guilt and madness.
- The relationship between Lady Macbeth and Macbeth and how it evolves throughout the play.
- The dramatic function of Lady Macbeth's character in the play.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
- Chapter 1: Introduction This chapter introduces the reader to the play and its context, providing an overview of Lady Macbeth's role in the narrative. It explores her initial motivations and the consequences of her actions.
- Chapter 2: Gender Roles in the Shakespearian Play Macbeth This chapter analyzes the role of women in Elizabethan society and how Lady Macbeth's character challenges traditional gender roles. It explores the concept of "unsexing" and how it applies to Lady Macbeth's ambition.
- Chapter 3: Lady Macbeth's Influence on the Plot of Macbeth This chapter examines Lady Macbeth's influence on the plot of Macbeth, focusing on her manipulation of characters and her contribution to the play's central conflict. It examines her role in each act, highlighting her motivations and actions.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
This term paper focuses on key concepts such as gender roles, ambition, manipulation, guilt, and madness. It examines the character of Lady Macbeth within the context of William Shakespeare's play Macbeth and the Elizabethan era.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Lady Macbeth influence the plot of the play?
Lady Macbeth is the primary decision-maker early in the play. After reading Macbeth's letter about the witches' prophecies, she immediately decides to manipulate her husband into murdering King Duncan to secure the throne.
What are the consequences of Lady Macbeth's ambition?
Her ambition leads to a descent into overwhelming guilt and madness. While she initially appears strong, she eventually suffers from hallucinations (sleepwalking) and ultimately dies, likely by suicide.
How does Lady Macbeth challenge Elizabethan gender roles?
She challenges traditional roles by asking to be "unsexed," rejecting stereotypical feminine qualities like compassion in favor of "direst cruelty" to achieve her political goals.
What happens to the relationship between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth?
The relationship evolves from a partnership in ambition to total isolation. As the plot progresses and the body count rises, they grow apart, consumed by their individual fears and guilt.
What is the significance of the witches' prophecies for Lady Macbeth?
The prophecies serve as the catalyst. While Macbeth is hesitant, Lady Macbeth sees them as a guaranteed fate that must be acted upon immediately through any means necessary.
- Quote paper
- Master of Education Marie Sophie Jendrusch (Author), 2015, Female Evil in Shakespeare, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1236021
