Lady Macbeth compared to women in Beowolf

As we were watching Macbeth this week, I found myself comparing Lady Macbeth to past female characters we have read so far in this course. While I was doing this I started comparing her to the female characters in Beowolf. I think the Lady Macbeth is somewhat the combination of Modthryth and Wealhtheow. Modthryth is known for torturing and killing men that looked at her the wrong way until she was “domesticated” by her husband. Wealhtheow on the other hand didn’t kill anybody but did have scenes in which she had an underlying plan and strategy of her own.   Wealhtheow takes the initiative and approached Beowolf asking him to watch over and protect her sons after her husband says a possibly problematic comment about Beowolf being king.  Modthryth’s tendency towards violence and murder along with Wealhtheow’s strategic and initiative is why I thought together they have qualities that very much resemble Lady Macbeth.


Lady Macbeth is a fascinating character that I very much adore. She is kind of crazy but a true trailblazer considering the time period. Most women would never had stood up to their husbands let only any man back then but she did. This is much like how Modthryth stood up to the men who she felt disrespected her. Lady Macbeth also takes the initiative to convince Macbeth that they will go through with the plan and she also puts the daggers back herself after Macbeth brings them out of the room. This initiative is what reminded me of Wealhtheow’s, they both did what they had to do in the moment to get what they wanted.  Thinking about it now Lady Macbeth also may have a little Beowolf in her. Beowolf was always searching for glory and treasure and I think that is what Lady Macbeth is doing by encouraging and aiding in the murder of Duncan. Not only will Macbeth become King but she will become Queen. This search and willingness to kill for glory and victory reminds of Beowolf. To finish I think that Lady Macbeth is a combination of Modthryth’s willingness to kill, Wealhteow’s initiative and Beowolf’s longing for glory.

Comments

  1. UnknownOctober 8, 2017 at 1:55 PM

    Jessica, I also see similarities between Lady Macbeth and Wealhtheow and Modthryth. Before Duncan's death, Lady Macbeth relates more closely with Modthryth. They both display a feisty demeanor, a willingness to manipulate men to achieve their goals, and take part in killing through planning or committing the act. However, once Macbeth starts taking back control and escalates the plans, Lady Macbeth restraints herself and associates more closely with Wealhtheow. Lady Macbeth talks to Macbeth and tries to stop him from killing more people. While Macbeth ignores her, she takes the step to express her opinion, like Wealhtheow, to enact change. Wealhtheow focuses on her children whereas Lady Macbeth remains childless. What is the difference between Macbeth and Beowulf? Would you consider them comparable like Lady Macbeth and Wealhtheow and Modthryth?

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