Therefore, for Lady Macbeth to call her husband a coward it is completely unacceptable in that era. As typically in the 17th century men had lots more power than women. In the play we only meet very few female characters, will reflects on the time period this play is set. During the play we see Lady Macbeth and Macbeth love, care and respect each other from time to time, although their love begins to fade away as Macbeth becomes more and more emotionless for Lady Macbeth. This further highlights the power Lady Macbeth withholds as women would never have called their husband a coward in the 17th century, it would never have been thought of. Although Lady Macbeth thinks it is acceptable to call one of the most powerful man in Scotland a coward. Although Lady Macbeth loves Macbeth but doesn’t want to love a coward and emotional blackmail keeps Macbeth in love with Lady Macbeth. In this quote Lady Macbeth is also attacking Macbeths masculinity as she is calling a very powerful man a coward. By Lady Macbeth calling Macbeth a coward, she is degrading him, damaging his self-esteem and also his mental state. Shakespeare uses first person when Lady Macbeth calls her husband a coward. The adjective “coward” is ironic as Macbeth was known to be a ruthless war hero, “Thane of Cawdor”, The weak woman calling the “brave” man a coward. In this quote we notice Lady Macbeth calling her husband a “coward”. In act one scene seven Shakespeare writes, “From this time such I account thy love coward”. Shakespeare yet again uses another imperative when Lady Macbeth says, “stop” to again make a commanding tone which Lady Macbeth displays during the play. Lady Macbeth also uses a commanding tone, we know this as Lady Macbeth says, “come you spirits”, In this quote Shakespeare uses an imperative, which creates that commanding and powerful tone for Lady Macbeth. This also has links to the witches, as they were another powerful female character in the play. Although this could also mean the courage needed to wipe out Macbeth humanity. In act one scene five, Shakespeare mentions “spirits”, meaning poison, Shakespeare mentions “spirits” a number of time during this part of the play which shows Lady Macbeths further manipulation and power. In the 17th century, many women didn’t have the confidence and power which Lady Macbeth had, this made her character very abnormal in comparison to other women. On Macbeth’s day of success, Shakespeare introduced Lady Macbeth by reading out a letter from her husband. Get original essay The power of Lady Macbeth This further illustrates how powerful she is, as typically in the 17th century men were in control of their wife’s, as women didn’t have a say. At times throughout the play Lady Macbeth seems to be in complete control in her relationship with Macbeth, as she uses persuasive techniques on Macbeth to get things her way and what she wants. This reflects on how powerful Lady Macbeth truly is as in the 17th century women would never have dreamed to think or say this. Another excellent example of Lady Macbeths power is when she says, “unsex me here” meaning for her feminine side to be stripped away, she wants to be seen as a woman with power. This is a prime example of power displayed by Lady Macbeth, as women in the 17th century wouldn’t never have even considered to kill their husband. In act one scene 5, Shakespeare writes “I may pour my spirits in thine ear”, in this quote we notice Lady Macbeth mentioning she wants to poison her husband, Macbeth. There are many scenarios in the play where Lady Macbeth has proven to be a powerful, commanding and dominant female character. Throughout the play we meet a variety of female characters, including Macbeth. The play Macbeth was written by William Shakespeare in the 17th century.
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