![]() Additionally she is extremely unmaternal and quite independent especially towards the end of the play. Moreover how she controls Macbeth in the use of language ‘art thou afeard’ shows that Lady Macbeth is questioning Macbeth’s masculinity. Lady Macbeth makes plans for treason by wanting to kill Duncan which is a very unconventional thought. Intelligence was seen as a masculine trait o any woman who was intelligent was deemed to be a witch. This means that Lady Macbeth can get him to do anything for her, because Macbeth has a point to prove. ![]() She refers to Macbeth as ‘living like a coward.’ This simile is both emotive and manipulative, in that it will provoke a sense of masculinity in Macbeth. Yet another convention of witchcraft is intelligence, and Lady Macbeth uses manipulation and deception to get her way with Macbeth. This is a principle of witchcraft and all its myths that is considered to be the most recognised. Later on in the scene it Shakespeare has made it seem like Lady Macbeth is talking to someone or something, this can be interpreted as Lady Macbeth talking to the spirits, while doing this she says ‘come you spirits that tend on mortal thoughts.’ She is inviting the spirits to have fatal and murderous thoughts, so that her husband Macbeth can be king. Shakespeare also uses ‘the raven’ which symbolises disaster and death and is regarded as an evil omen. Something which is super-natural is not natural and possesses witch like traits. When talking about Macbeth’s new position in the society she uses the word ‘metaphysical’ which means super-natural much like a witch. Being a witch had terrible consequences death by hanging of being burned at the stake, this cruel persecution amplified the superstition and misogyny of the time.Īct one Scene five is littered with references to witchcraft and spirits. In fact James I wrote a book called Demonology which was solely based on witchcraft. Witchcraft is also a major element in this play this is because the play is set in the time of James I, who had a certain fascination with anything remotely witch-like. ![]() We can sympathise with her because it is understandable to think that it would be tough to live in these times as a women, with great restriction and certain guidelines to follow. The fact that the letter is read as a soliloquy has significance in that it reveals the loneliness of Lady Macbeth. The reading of the letter, in terms of the theatrical view is read as a soliloquy, moreover this letter is used as a dramatic device, it informs the audience of what has happened and gives background information, and also it brings the audience up to the present time in the play. In addition the letter she is reading is Macbeth’s letter, so Lady Macbeth’s first words in the play were Macbeth’s originally, this demonstrates male dominance from the beginning. We see Lady Macbeth first in Act 1 Scene 5 where, in the stage directions, she is described as ‘alone, reading a letter.’ This immediately shows that she is well educated. ![]()
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