Compare how Shakespeare uses language to show the change in character of Lady Macbeth mover the course of the play (Act 1, scene 5, Act 1 Scene 7 , Act 2, scene 2 and Act 5 scene 1) ?
Macbeth was written by William Shakespeare in the 1580s and is set in medieval Scotland. It was written for James I of Scotland, the first monarch of the Stuart dynasty during his reign. James I had reigned Scotland for 36 years and it was when Queen Elizabeth died he succeeded the throne combining the Scottish and English empires.
Macbeth was written to please King James VI as the themes in the play witchcraft and Scotland were James interests. It is also a possibility that it was also written in response to events in 17th century England. As Macbeth reflects the social anxieties after decades of harsh and unjust female rule such as Queen Elizabeth. Ambition, power and greed are some of the main themes in this play as Macbeth and Lady Macbeth change their characters traits in order to get what they want- which in this case is power. Ambition is what drives both of them and finally they are corrupted by greed; this is seen through all of Macbeths killings as he is never satisfied and wants more. This essay will analyse Lady Macbeth in Act 1 scene 5 and 7, Act 2 scene 2 and Act 5 scene 1, it will examine how she regresses throughout these scenes.
The play itself was performed in the Globe theatre with the working class standing in the pit and the upper class sitting in the stalls. As it was in the Elizabethan era the running and mannerisms of the audience were very different. The audiences were very vocal and would often shout to the actors or throw rotten vegetables at them. All characters in the play would of been acted out by an effeminate men even Lady Macbeth as women were seen to incapable to play a part and be on a stage.
The fact that the women were played by men in my opinioin enhances Shakespeares use of archetypes as they subvert traditional expectations of a women, just like how Lady Macbeth is not the simple stereotype of a women in the 1600s due to her masculinity and the power she has over her husband; The use of hyphens during Lady Macbeths text implies that she is interrupting her husband showing that she is more of the man in their relationship. Shakespeares language shows how he created recognizable, but extremely diverse individuals. Archetypes exist, but are constantly subverted by his passion for complexity and contradiction in the characters he creates.
In Lady Macbeths soliloquy in Act 1 scene 5 we see the real darkness and complex formation behind the character of Lady Macbeth through the disturbing words she speak.
This is apparent through Shakespeares use of structure as the audience can relate her to the evil witches through her spell like speech as she is summoning up spirits as she awaits the arrival of King Duncan at her castle- come you spirits that tend on mortal thoughts. This suggests that Lady Macbeth has the same dark, roguish thoughts and intentions as the witches which make the audience aware of her true dark character. We know that Macbeth is uncertain about whether he should take the crown by killing Duncan but in this speech, there is no such confusion, as Lady Macbeth is clearly willing to do whatever is necessary to seize the throne. Her strength of purpose is very much different to and contrasts to Macbeths indecisive thoughts on the immoral act as he on the contrary is moral, kind at heart and has a conscience. This speech shows the audience that Lady Macbeth is the back bone behind the act that Macbeth commits and that her strong ambition is what drives her husband to do it. In the end Macbeth surrenders to Lady Macbeths wishes and sees her power and ambition almost warrior like.
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