Lady Macbeth Character Analysis Essay
“Of all Shakespeare's female characters Lady Macbeth stands out far beyond the rest — remarkable for her ambition, strength of will, cruelty, and dissimulation” (Traits of Lady). Lady Macbeth is usually viewed as an interesting character because of her notable traits. Her cruelty, cunning, and manipulation certainly contribute to one’s fascination with her. However, equally intriguing are Lady Macbeth’s notorious views she possesses. The unyielding views Lady Macbeth holds on manhood, womanhood, and guilt greatly affect her life. Lady Macbeth’s view on manhood is significant. She equates manhood with ambitious, selfish, and often times cruel behavior. Macbeth, on the other hand, believes that manhood must have some code of honor. Because of this, Lady
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Wouldst thou have that which thou esteem’st the ornament of life, and live a coward in thine own esteem, letting “I dare not” wait upon “I would,” like the poor cat i’ th’ adage? (Shakespeare, 2000, I.vii.39-45)
This is clearly an attack on Macbeth’s manhood, insinuating that if does not act on his ambitions, he is a coward, like a cat that wants a fish, but does not want to get its fur wet. Macbeth eventually succumbs to Lady Macbeth’s incessant urging and joins the plot to kill the king. Macbeth states, “Prithee peace. I dare do all that may become a man; / who dares do more is none.” (I.viii.46-47) Lady Macbeth not only has a very striking view of manhood, but an equally noteworthy view of womanhood. Although unlike this herself, Lady Macbeth associates womanhood with kindness, weakness, and susceptibility to remorse. She fears that Macbeth exhibits these womanly qualities. After receiving Macbeth’s letter she says of him, Yet I do fear thy nature.
It is too full o’ th’ milk of human kindness to catch the nearest way. Thou wouldst be great, art not without ambition, but without the illness should attend it.
Wouldst thou have that which thou esteem’st the ornament of life, and live a coward in thine own esteem, letting “I dare not” wait upon “I would,” like the poor cat i’ th’ adage? (Shakespeare, 2000, I.vii.39-45)
This is clearly an attack on Macbeth’s manhood, insinuating that if does not act on his ambitions, he is a coward, like a cat that wants a fish, but does not want to get its fur wet. Macbeth eventually succumbs to Lady Macbeth’s incessant urging and joins the plot to kill the king. Macbeth states, “Prithee peace. I dare do all that may become a man; / who dares do more is none.” (I.viii.46-47) Lady Macbeth not only has a very striking view of manhood, but an equally noteworthy view of womanhood. Although unlike this herself, Lady Macbeth associates womanhood with kindness, weakness, and susceptibility to remorse. She fears that Macbeth exhibits these womanly qualities. After receiving Macbeth’s letter she says of him, Yet I do fear thy nature.
It is too full o’ th’ milk of human kindness to catch the nearest way. Thou wouldst be great, art not without ambition, but without the illness should attend it.