In Macbeth, Shakespeare gives an analysis on desire for power. Whether they are legitimate successors to the throne or tyrannic usurpers, main characters in the play try to secure their powers, although there"s radical difference in their way to achieve their purposes. Traditionally power struggles ...
In Macbeth, Shakespeare gives an analysis on desire for power. Whether they are legitimate successors to the throne or tyrannic usurpers, main characters in the play try to secure their powers, although there"s radical difference in their way to achieve their purposes. Traditionally power struggles in the realm of martial valor have been regarded as men"s affair, and Lady Macbeth, outwardly more cruel and inhuman than her male-counterpart, seems to be an exception. With these superficial characteristics, many critics explained her as an embodiment of masculinity, absolute evil or will to power, while her husband is full of subtle sensitivities, that is, feminine characteristics. However, there are certain differences between Lady Macbeth and other seemingly ferocious female characters, such as Goneril and Regan in King Lear. At the moment of raising her dagger, sleeping Duncan reminds Lady Macbeth of her father and she become helpless overwhelmed by some feelings originated from filial duty. When she shows off her ferocity saying that she can "dash the baby brains out" (1.7. 57), she admits that she knows "how tender "tis to love the babe that milks" (1.7.54) her. Throughout the play, her metaphors of cruelty almost invariably circulates within maternity & femininity. Lady Macbeth"s boast of cruelty is a distorted form of femininity denied and deeply oppressed in her mind By sharing her role of supporter in the thorny path to the throne, she imagines she gets and enjoys the affection of her husband. Once he has ascended the throne, he no longer feels the urgent need to depend on her. Consequently no meaningful role is available for her in reality and she chooses to retreat to illusion. In madness she freely expresses her immense fear at the moment of Duncan"s murder, tenderness of a beloved wife and motherlike care for Macbeth. Her femininity comes out in full bloom only in the state of madness.
In Macbeth, Shakespeare gives an analysis on desire for power. Whether they are legitimate successors to the throne or tyrannic usurpers, main characters in the play try to secure their powers, although there"s radical difference in their way to achieve their purposes. Traditionally power struggles in the realm of martial valor have been regarded as men"s affair, and Lady Macbeth, outwardly more cruel and inhuman than her male-counterpart, seems to be an exception. With these superficial characteristics, many critics explained her as an embodiment of masculinity, absolute evil or will to power, while her husband is full of subtle sensitivities, that is, feminine characteristics. However, there are certain differences between Lady Macbeth and other seemingly ferocious female characters, such as Goneril and Regan in King Lear. At the moment of raising her dagger, sleeping Duncan reminds Lady Macbeth of her father and she become helpless overwhelmed by some feelings originated from filial duty. When she shows off her ferocity saying that she can "dash the baby brains out" (1.7. 57), she admits that she knows "how tender "tis to love the babe that milks" (1.7.54) her. Throughout the play, her metaphors of cruelty almost invariably circulates within maternity & femininity. Lady Macbeth"s boast of cruelty is a distorted form of femininity denied and deeply oppressed in her mind By sharing her role of supporter in the thorny path to the throne, she imagines she gets and enjoys the affection of her husband. Once he has ascended the throne, he no longer feels the urgent need to depend on her. Consequently no meaningful role is available for her in reality and she chooses to retreat to illusion. In madness she freely expresses her immense fear at the moment of Duncan"s murder, tenderness of a beloved wife and motherlike care for Macbeth. Her femininity comes out in full bloom only in the state of madness.
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