why does lady macbeth kill herself

How does Lady Macbeth persuade Macbeth to kill King Duncan? Save over 50% with a SparkNotes PLUS Annual Plan! The primary role for a woman was bearing children, and the child mortality rate in Shakespeare's time was around one in three, so it's unsurprising he heavily implied the couple lost a child. What does Duncan give his hostess to show his gratitude? Once Duncan is killed Lady Macbeth is pleased that her ambition to be the wife of a king has been achieved, but that feeling very soon turns sour as guilt begins to eat away at her. Your subscription will continue automatically once the free trial period is over. Ace your assignments with our guide to Macbeth! How did Birnam Wood move and why was Macduff able to kill Macbeth? Please wait while we process your payment. ThoughtCo, Apr. on 2-49 accounts, Save 30% Macbeth becomes paranoid that he will lose his power, and he starts killing all perceived threats to his claim on the throne. Answer link A handpicked selection of stories from BBC Future, Culture, Worklife and Travel, delivered to your inbox every Friday. Took off her life; Malcolm here appears to be confirming a rumor that Lady Macbeth killed herself. We're sorry, SparkNotes Plus isn't available in your country. We're sorry, SparkNotes Plus isn't available in your country. How does Lady Macbeth's death affect Macbeth? TO CANCEL YOUR SUBSCRIPTION AND AVOID BEING CHARGED, YOU MUST CANCEL BEFORE THE END OF THE FREE TRIAL PERIOD. her father as he slept. she understands that her husband doesnt have the savageness required to murder the king of his own accord, so she manipulates him. Of this dead butcher and his fiend-like queen, How does William Shakespeare describe the witches in Macbeth. A wife who, after learning of a witches' prophecy declaring her Scottish general husband would become king, persuades him to commit regicide, take power and subsequently ignites a bloody civil war? She also advises Macbeth to be two-faced. How does Lady Macbeth's death affect Macbeth? They will smear the blood of Duncan on the sleeping chamberlains to cast the guilt upon them. In Macbeth, why does Shakespeare open the play by showing the witches? 5 of 5 How does Lady Macbeth feel about how Macbeth carried out the murder? Duncan, the Scottish lords, and their attendants arrive outside Macbeths castle. Contact us Act 1, scene 7 Macbeth contemplates the reasons why it is a terrible thing to kill Duncan. At the beginning of Act 2, Scene 2, Lady Macbeth has evidently returned from Duncan 's chamber. When Macbeth is on his last legs, with the rebels closing in, he gets the message that shes dead. She re-runs her own part in the murder to come to terms with her guilt. These scenes are dominated by Lady Macbeth, who is probably the most memorable character in the play. 20% Continue to start your free trial. How does Macbeth react to the death of his wife? Macbeth enters, and he and his wife discuss the kings forthcoming visit. . But the comment also suggests that Macbeth is thinking about his legacy. So in that sense, Lady Macbeth is not a real character. Sorry I havent been getting more posted lately. Renews May 8, 2023 As it is, Lady M exits the play after her sleepwalking scene and in act five scene seven is reported as dead, evidently by suicide if Malcolm's comment that she "by self and violent hands took off her life" is to be believed. Macbeth kills Duncan in his sleep and from that moment their marriage begins to fall apart. 20% Lady Macbeth is a timeless, tragic heroine who should be cherished not scorned. Model your description on the "Help Wanted" ads in the newspaper. By entering your email address you agree to receive emails from SparkNotes and verify that you are over the age of 13. Basically, she went insane and took her life to. Become a Study.com member to unlock this answer! Who refuses to attend the coronation of Macbeth at Scone? You'll be billed after your free trial ends. He then considers the reasons why he ought not to kill Duncan: Macbeth is Duncans kinsman, subject, and host; moreover, the king is universally admired as a virtuous ruler. Dont have an account? Lady . When that death occurred is unclear, but filmmaker Justin Kurzel made the event literal in the opening of his 2015 adaptation, starring Michael Fassbender and Marion Cotillard, with a scene where the anguished Macbeths attend the funeral of their toddler. McDormand joins a welcome list of women bringing enough depth and layers to this formidable character to combat 400 years of gross misunderstandings that say more about those interpreters than the multifaceted literary figure Shakespeare created. Lady Macbeth had a lot of mental anguish because all the people Why do Malcom and Donalbain run away from the court? cannot simply be viewed as emasculation but an indication that she could have married a man with more political power. It was unusual in Shakespeare's day for a female character to be so boldly ambitious and manipulative as Lady Macbeth is. creating and saving your own notes as you read. Her life becomes unbearable and she commits suicide. She could not bring. L. Macbeth has nobody to talk to. One of her strongest qualities is persistence and she shows it here. What is the main purpose of Act III of The Tragedy of Macbeth? We're sorry, SparkNotes Plus isn't available in your country. looked too much like her father. Why did Lady Macbeth want to kill Duncan? By the end of Lady Macbeth's life, guilt has replaced her incredible ambition in equal measure. Shakespeare's murderous queen has long been demonised as a wicked seductress. Lady Macbeth is, therefore, a victim of her own ambition, which complicates her role in the play. Lady Macbeth kills herself because she cannot cope with her guilt over King Duncan's murder. Describe Macbeth's auditory hallucination. As Lady M, McDormand commands the screen with matriarchal authority. What is clear, is that Macbeth cares for his wife until the end and Coen presents this by having Washington's tragic hero looking down upon her laying at the bottom of the fateful staircase, staggering slightly as the pain washes over him. Of direst cruelty. This theme of the relationship between gender and power is key to Lady Macbeths character: her husband implies that she is a masculine soul inhabiting a female body, which seems to link masculinity to ambition and violence. Purchasing The free trial period is the first 7 days of your subscription. She calls on the spirits to darken the night like "the dunnest smoke of hell"so that even her "keen knife" won't see the wounds . Hearing the bell rung by Lady Macbeth to signal completion of her preparations for Duncan's death, Macbeth exits to kill the king. Which character provides comic relief in Act 2? Make thick my blood; stop up the access and passage to remorse That no compunctious visitings of nature shake my fell purpose. Get access to this video and our entire Q&A library, Lady Macbeth: Quotes & Character Analysis. 5, 2023, thoughtco.com/lady-macbeth-character-analysis-2985018. Why, in Macbeth's opinion, is the murder of Duncan so wrong? How does Lady Macbeth change during the play? What is the significance of the witches in Macbeth? Cunning and ambitious, she is one of the protagonists of the play, encouraging and helping Macbeth carry out his bloody quest to become king. How does the Witches' prophecy about Banquo come true? She is excited about being queen. Macbeth does not ask how she died. (2023, April 5). Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The blood of Duncan haunts her. Your group members can use the joining link below to redeem their group membership. Act 2, scene 2 Lady Macbeth waits anxiously for Macbeth to return from killing Duncan. She is filled with pride over his deed. How was Lady Macbeth advised of the witches' prophecies? Shakespeare was miles ahead when it came to female representation and Lady Macbeth is a character that has too frequently been painted in a two-dimensional light. She controlled and manipulated her husband with great skill. Macbeth notes that these circumstances offer him nothing that he can use to motivate himself. He then agrees to proceed with the murder. . Ace your assignments with our guide to Macbeth! What is Macduff implying when he says, "Lest out old robes sit easier than our new"? Why does Macbeth think the Witches want to help him? She ridicules Macbeth when he doesnt agree to participate in her violent plans. Ideal Job Description Write a job description for a job that you would like to have. How does Lady Macbeth cover for Macbeth at the banquet? it. Members will be prompted to log in or create an account to redeem their group membership. $24.99 What convinces Macbeth that the Witches' prophecy is true? Identify a comment Lady Macbeth makes about regret. "My experience of Lady Macbeth in the theatre, to begin with, was quite difficult," Erica Whyman, Deputy Artistic Director of The Royal Shakespeare Company tells BBC Culture. Lady Macbeth could not kill Duncan herself because he resembled In Macbeth, why does Macduff go to England? The exact line that explains this When she gets a message that King Duncan plans to spend the night with them at Glamys Castle it seems to confirm the thought that they would have to kill him and that this was their once in a lifetime opportunity. Since Macbeth succumbs to Lady Macbeths wishes immediately following this remark, it seems that he is complimenting her and affirming her belief that courage and brilliance are masculine traits. In this case the news comes in Act 5 Scene 5, when Macbeth hears a scream and sends Seyton to investigate. Macbeth becomes paranoid. Why does Macbeth believe he needs to kill King Duncan? You'll be billed after your free trial ends. In Hamlet, why did Ophelia drown herself? Why is Macbeth named king instead of Duncan's son and heir, Malcom? You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. At one point, she wishes that she were not a woman so that she could do it herself. More books than SparkNotes. When he hears that his wife has killed herself, this is the last thing that he needs. You may cancel your subscription on your Subscription and Billing page or contact Customer Support at custserv@bn.com. Because Malcom's flight makes him look guilty. What does Macbeth think about killing King Duncan? How does Lady Macbeth publicly react to the news of the murder? Lady Macbeths challenge is that she discovers that her husband has been tempted by an encounter with three witches to do something about their prediction that he will become king. You can view our. What convinces Macbeth that the Witches' prophecy is true? One of the earliest portrayals of Lady Macbeth that broke the mould was delivered by Welsh actor Sarah Siddons in 1785 at London's Drury Lane Theatre. With this in mind, films and theatre productions have increasingly offered a deeper engagement with her, and with Shakespeare's progressive ideas about gender, motherhood and the patriarchy that are as relevant today as they were back then. How does Lady Macbeth's death affect Macbeth? ", In Justin Kurzel's 2015 film, with Marion Cotillard and Michael Fassbender, it is made clear that the Macbeths are anguished by the death of their child (Credit: Alamy). Macbeth shall sleep no more.". Read more about whether Lady Macbeth is a villain or a victim. In scene 1 of Macbeth, why is the witches' chant given in such detail? Before Macbeth goes into battle, he is informed that Lady Macbeth When . Yet she did not kill King Duncan I (d. August 14, 1040) when she had the opportunity. This is an example of, Who says, "To know my deed, 'twere best not know myself. Lady Macbeth decided not to kill King Duncan herself because he So L. Macbeth walks around naked incriminating herself by muttering past deeds and lamenting that, "all the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little hand.". But he claimed to have done it out of raging, uncontrolled anger over their killing his King. The one constant in this adaptation is their love for one-another. Did she throw herself down the stairs either because the guilt was too much or as an act of atonement or was she pushed by Ross as revenge for her husband's order to murder his cousin Lady MacDuff? When the play begins, she is more than willing to kill Our experts can answer your tough homework and study questions. Why does Macbeth kill King Duncan's two chamberlains? Contemporary feminist readings and criticism have similarly reappraised Lady Macbeth as a far more sympathetic figure than the one that has been traditionally depicted. What reason does Macbeth give for killing King Duncan's guards? He asks her what will happen if they fail; she promises that as long as they are bold, they will be successful. ", Frances McDormand is the latest actor to play Lady Macbeth on film and she commands the screen with matriarchal authority (Credit: Apple TV+), It's this two-dimensional representation that Oscar-nominated actor Ruth Negga is hoping to combat when she takes on the role opposite Daniel Craig in Sam Gold's Broadway production this spring. There was an 11th-century Scottish king named Mac Bethad Mac Findlaich. In this case the news comes in Act 5 Scene 5, when Macbeth hears a scream and sends Seyton to investigate. Macbeth is crowned king of Scotland. As she awaits her husbands arrival, she delivers a famous speech in which she begs, you spirits / That tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here, / And fill me from the crown to the toe top-full / Of direst cruelty (1.5.3841). He sees Lady Macbeths boldness and masculinity as heroic and warriorlike, while Lady Macbeth invokes her supposed masculine virtues for dark, cruel purposes. Get Annual Plans at a discount when you buy 2 or more! She resolves to convince her husband to do whatever is required to seize the crown. A red nose, sleep, urination, and impotence. Because their father was murdered and they don't want to be next. If it were done when tis done, then twere well Presumably, he had a wife but we know nothing about her. Why does Othello strike Desdemona in the play? Central Idea: Is Lady Macbeth a Villain or a Victim? Why does Macbeth think the Witches want to help him? How does Lady Macbeth react to the murder of Duncan? Why does MacBeth fall under existentialism? "She's not a kind of power-hungry, man impersonator she's wholly in her skin, but she does think the only way to have agency in the world is to do this terrible deed and she's quite wrong about that. Duncan praises the castles pleasant environment, and he thanks Lady Macbeth, who has emerged to greet him, for her hospitality. cuando llueve demasiado. Thats the situation into which she has been thrust. Sign up for our weekly newsletter and we'll deliver it right to your inbox! Best summary PDF, themes, and quotes. 2004 2022 NoSweat Digital Ltd, 124 City Road, London EC1V 2NX, 11th-century Scottish king named Mac Bethad Mac Findlaich, Shakespeares 10 most influential characters, A Midsummer Nights Dream Characters List, Alls Well That Ends Well Characters List, The Merry Wives of Windsor Characters List, The Most Powerful Shakespeare Female Characters, The Two Gentlemen of Verona Characters List. Why does Lady Macbeth say she didn't kill the king herself? Why is the first witch upset with the sailor's wife in Macbeth? SparkNotes Plus subscription is $4.99/month or $24.99/year as selected above. What does Lady Macbeth intend to do with Duncan's blood if he's bleeding? For the next 7 days, you'll have access to awesome PLUS stuff like AP English test prep, No Fear Shakespeare translations and audio, a note-taking tool, personalized dashboard, & much more! Macbeth killed the guards to keep them from protecting the King and serving as murder witnesses, and to blame them for his own crime. When Macbeth then whispers "my dearest love", the words are tenderly caressing and the two lovingly embrace. No time to check the blog regularly? What influence do the witches have on Macbeth? Who's there? Upon her ascension to the throne, the monarch challenged gender roles; she refused to submit to marriage arguing she was "already bound unto a husband, which is the kingdom of England" while clinging to her feminine identity in her aesthetic and various speeches, describing her subjects as her "children" for example. ", Duncan reminded Lady Macbeth's father sleeping and could not do What we are seeing is naked ambition and a willingness to act on it without having the resources to deal with the consequences. Dont have an account? She is usually depicted as a strong, tough woman and, in her drive to induce Macbeth to murder King Duncan, she appears to be that, but, having succeeded, it does not take long for her to crumble and break down, destroyed by guilt, and she ends up committing suicide. She had to give Duncan's guards . Why does Macbeth think the Witches want to help him? Want 100 or more? How does Lady Macbeth get blood on her hands? Macbeth hesitates, equivocates and falters but she holds firm. What convinces Macbeth that he is invincible over Macduff's army? Lady Macbeths sense of remorse soon overwhelms her, however. guilt. Rather, the blood on my hands will stain the green oceans red. she is a violent, cold-blooded character who is happy to scheme the murder. She couldn't forget that she had helped to Had attention not been paid to her role as a mother, a partner and her mental health as a whole, Cotillard's iteration might have fit that reductive characterisation. He says that the deed would be easy if he could be certain that it would not set in motion a series of terrible consequences. Banquo wants the prediction made by the witches to come true for his sons. Madwoman. These are just a few of the more hostile descriptors that Lady Macbeth has been saddled with ever since The Tragedie of Macbeth (the full title of the Scottish play) was first performed 416 years ago. "He would not have recognised what we mean by women's rights or what we mean by equality but what he did was treat every human being in his plays as though they had something to say that we should listen to," says Whyman. She's unable to take action herself, likely because of social constraints and power hierarchies, so she must persuade her husband to go along with her evil plans. Macbeth has too many enemies who need to avenge themselves on him (Malcolm, Macduff, Fleance) and not all of them get a satisfactory final shove at him before he's killed. Explore how Lady Macbeth changes throughout the play and see her quotes. SparkNotes PLUS By constructing her character in this way (with "masculine" characteristics), Shakespeare challenges our preconceived views of masculinity and femininity. What did Lady Macbeth do to the guards to make them sleep? What important role do the witches play in Act I of The Tragedy of Macbeth? Why does Haemon kill himself in "Antigone"? "It's unhelpful to portray her as wicked or to suggest that because she hasn't got a child she's, in some ways, hollow and barren and inevitably evil," says Whyman. She has nightmares, and in one famous scene (Act Five, Scene One), she tries to wash her hands of the blood she imagines has been left behind by the murders. How are the witches presented in Macbeth? Lady Macbeth talks him into it. Previous section Macbeth Next section The Three Witches Test your knowledge Renew your subscription to regain access to all of our exclusive, ad-free study tools. Jamieson, Lee. ", Ruth Negga is about to play Lady Macbeth on Broadway opposite Daniel Craig and is keen to redress misogynistic interpretations of her (Credit: Getty Images), Judi Dench performs this powerful act one speech far more dynamically in the filmed 1979 version of Trevor Nunn's legendary Royal Shakespeare Company production, in which she starred opposite Ian McKellen. Her depiction was "tragedy personified," as critic William Hazlitt put it, and starkly contrasted with fellow 18th-Century star Hannah Pritchard's earlier turn which clung to the "savage, demoniac" tradition. When does Macbeth first realize he has been tricked by the prophecies of the witches? Out, I say!" What spot is she talking about? Dropping to her knees with her hand outstretched, she begs for the constraints of her gender to be removed then suddenly jumps up with a squeak as though the spirits had answered her call. Want 100 or more? Lady Macbeth Character Analysis. Shakespeare, however, seems to use her, and the witches, to undercut Macbeths idea that undaunted mettle should compose / Nothing but males (1.7.7374). Her expression is a far-cry from the grimace she wore the night before when commanding "spirits" to change her very nature as the couple plot to murder the doomed King Duncan. You can view our. Usually thought of as a hard, ruthless woman, she is, in reality, soft. By signing up you agree to our terms and privacy policy. No. You'll also receive an email with the link. Why did King Henry V kill his 5th wife in Shakespeare's Henry V? for a group? Name one of the effects of alcohol as described by the porter. disturbances. Women, the play implies, can be as ambitious and cruel as men, yet social constraints deny them the means to pursue these ambitions on their own. All other trademarks and copyrights are the property of their respective owners. L. Macbeth has nobody to talk to. Afterward, however, Lady Macbeth begins a slow slide into madnessjust as ambition affects her more strongly than Macbeth before the crime, so does guilt plague her more strongly afterward. It is not known whether or not Lady Macbeth kills herself or not but it is a theory that she died from guilt or a undisclosed illness. King James I might have been the British sovereign when Macbeth was published but his predecessor, Elizabeth I, was an obvious influence on Shakespeare. She's got a conscience and is aware of the emotional and moral cost but thinks it's worth putting that to one side. Renews May 7, 2023 What appearance does Lady Macbeth fake at the news? Why does Macbeth begin to act so oddly at the banquet? Duncan then asks to be taken inside to Macbeth, whom he professes to love dearly. Lady Macbeth Macbeth indicates that he wishes he had died before he saw this hour--the time that Duncan was dead. Lady Macbeth had a lot of mental anguish because all the people Macbeth murdered. If the participle has modifiers or complements, underline the complete participial phrase. Explanation: According to Lady Macbeth, Duncan looked like her own father. His wife acts as his partner-in-crime, helping to orchestrate the king's death. Take the Analysis of Major Characters Quick Quiz. JoinBBC Culture Film and TV Clubon Facebook, a community for cinephiles all over the world. Lady Macbeth (c. 1015) was capable of murder. When Lady Macbeth persuades Macbeth to kill King Duncan by questioning his manhood, Shakespeare equates masculinity with ambition and power. Lady Macbeth's initial plan seems to be to murder Duncan herself. to start your free trial of SparkNotes Plus. Once the sense of guilt comes home to roost, Lady Macbeths sensitivity becomes a weakness, and she is unable to cope. Upgrade to remove ads Only $35.99/year Why do Malcolm and Donalbain leave? She replies that it is her duty to be hospitable since she and her husband owe so much to their king. All rights reserved. Their partnership in this murderous enterprise has destroyed their marriage. It also lays bare the gender politics within the play's society. So that no one has accusations. Macbeth's wife kills herself because she can't handle the guilt she feels over King Duncan's murder. "'Unsex me here,' is this idea that her sex is not useful to her at this moment," says Whyman. Lady Macbeth is partly responsible for the kind of killing that was taboo in Mediaeval Scotland murdering ones king, murdering ones relative and murdering a guest in ones house. Use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. Free trial is available to new customers only. How did Birnam Wood move and why was Macduff able to kill Macbeth? In Macbeth, why is the manner of Macduff's birth important? Lady Macbeth Character Analysis. Macbeth pretends to have forgotten them. Copyright 1999 - 2023 GradeSaver LLC. The letter announces Macbeths promotion to the thaneship of Cawdor and details his meeting with the witches. It is well established in other scenes that she has been slowly losing her mind. Why does Lady Macbeth say she didn't kill the king herself? Why are the sisters killed off stage in King Lear? By entering your email address you agree to receive emails from SparkNotes and verify that you are over the age of 13. What excuse does she give for Macbeth's wild talk? Did you know you can highlight text to take a note? A+ Student Essay: The Significance of Equivocation in Macbeth. Chief among them are the three witches who predict that Macbeth will be king and set the play's action into motion. Analyze the stanza, looking carefully at Grays diction and syntax choices, and explain how it works as a transition from one idea to another. She was sleepwalking and had many other mental disturbances. It is not clear whether she had been there before. She keenly feels the guilt for her wicked deeds but the ghostly presence of her child in this scene suggests she is also pained by her earlier declaration that she would have killed him to achieve their goal: "Have pluckd my nipple from his boneless gums and dashd the brains out, had I so sworn as you have done to this. . As soon as an opportunity to gain power presents itself, she has a plan in mind. How does Macbeth convince the murderers to kill Banquo? She seems fully aware of this and knows that she will have to push Macbeth into committing murder. Hold!'". She is usually portrayed in pictures as something like a Disney character, a cross between Cruella DeVille and the wicked stepmother in Snow White. If you don't see it, please check your spam folder. Her violent, blistering soliloquies in Act 1, scenes 5 and 7, testify to her strength of will, which completely eclipses that of her husband. "Lady Macbeth Character Analysis." Shakespeares audience would have accepted as fact that she was possessed by demons at this point, and no additional detail would have been necessary. Once the sense of guilt comes home to roost, Lady Macbeth's sensitivity becomes a weakness, and she is unable to cope. How easy is it, then! Why does Macbeth kill King Duncan's two chamberlains? https://www.thoughtco.com/lady-macbeth-character-analysis-2985018 (accessed May 1, 2023). "To save yourself you often first must kill. Purchasing Your group members can use the joining link below to redeem their group membership. Macbeth is the title character of Shakespeare's famous play about ambition and revenge. TO CANCEL YOUR SUBSCRIPTION AND AVOID BEING CHARGED, YOU MUST CANCEL BEFORE THE END OF THE FREE TRIAL PERIOD. We don't notice their sexual charms so much and don't see them as sexual beings. By entering your email address you agree to receive emails from SparkNotes and verify that you are over the age of 13. Macbeth exclaims that Lady Macbeth should [b]ring forth men-children only because she is so bold and courageous (1.7.72). Lady Macbeth does stress that she would have killed King Duncan herself had he not resembled her father as he slept. But in Kurzel's film, he emphasises the theme of a mother's loss, in particular, to the point of turning Lady Macbeth's climactic sleepwalking scene in act five into a heart-breaking church confessional in which she speaks to a vision of her dead son. Lady Macbeth manipulates her husband with remarkable effectiveness, overriding all his objections; when he hesitates to murder, she repeatedly questions his manhood until he feels that he must commit murder to prove himself. It is believed that Shakespeare wrote 38 plays in total between 1590 and 1612. Your constancy The Shakespeare tragedy that speaks to now. How is Scene 5 of Act I of Macbeth ironic? At the south entry: retire we to our chamber; SparkNotes PLUS He previously served as a theater studies lecturer at Stratford-upon Avon College in the United Kingdom. Lady Macbeth was a very ambitious person for herself and her husband, however, it was . Siddons' influence would be felt a century later, in 1888, when stage star Ellen Terry, inspired by an imperative in Siddons' essay to "not hold by the 'fiend' reading of the character," took to the stage at London's Lyceum Theatre. Macbeth is a Scottish lord who murders his king in order to take the crown for himself. As king, Macbeth fears his political enemies and embarks on a reign of terror while Lady Macbeth stays in bed, unable to sleep, having nightmares when she does manage it. It is time for Macbeth to murder Duncan. When he saw the woods coming up the hill. . Why do King Duncan's sons, Malcolm and Donalbain, flee to England after their father is murdered? Astonished at the brilliance and daring of her plan, Macbeth tells his wife that her undaunted mettle makes him hope that she will only give birth to male children (1.7.73). They fear that they are next to be murdered. Whyman points to Hermione in The Winter's Tale as another of Shakespeare's women who suffers at the hands of a weak-minded husband. is dead. She abhors violence. "Unsex me here and fill me from the crown to the toe top-full of direst cruelty. When we first see her, she is already plotting Duncans murder, and she is stronger, more ruthless, and more ambitious than her husband. Historical Context: Witchcraft in Shakespeares England. Inside the castle, as oboes play and servants set a table for the evenings feast, Macbeth paces by himself, pondering his idea of assassinating Duncan.

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