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Macbeth Feminist Lens Essay

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Feminist Lens Cornerstone Essay In the play Macbeth written by Shakespeare, three witches tell a Scottish thane, Macbeth, that he is destined to be king. With guidance and persuasion from his wife, he rises to power by killing people who stand in his way, including the current king. His wife, Lady Macbeth, has control over him throughout the play, defying the stereotypical woman during that time. Centuries ago, the typical woman was viewed as less intelligent than a man and weak. Her purpose was to raise children, take care of the home and not voice strong opinions. Shakespeare uses Lady Macbeth’s unique speech and impulsive, obsessive personality in Macbeth to show the opposite. Lady Macbeth breaks the negative stereotypes against women of not voicing strong opinions and being less intelligent than a man, but the effect of breaking these stereotypes is not positive and it leads to her downfall and death. …show more content…

“Come, you spirits / That tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here, / And fill me from the crown to the toe top-full / Of direst cruelty. Make thick my blood” (I. V). Shakespeare suggests that murder is not something a woman is capable of, so Lady Macbeth wishes to become a man so she is capable of killing Duncan. It is Lady Macbeth’s idea in the first place to kill him; however, she doesn’t believe Macbeth can do it. Lady Macbeth's masculine ambitions to kill Duncan eventually lead to Macbeth’s manic rise to power, Lady Macbeth’s distressed mental state, and her

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