Freaky Friday of the Fiendlike Queen and the Dead Butcher- post 7

In “Macbeth,” Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are a power hungry couple that backstab (literally) to get what they want. This couple’s relationship is based on give and take where they completely switch roles and behaviors.
At the start of the play, after hearing the prophecy delivered by the Three Witches, Macbeth becomes overwhelmed with the need for power and gaining the throne. Macbeth and Lady Macbeth decide that Duncan, the king, must be killed. After committing murder, Macbeth comes back to his wife expressing, “I’ll go no more/ I am afraid of what I have done,” to which Lady Macbeth responds, “Give me the daggers.  The sleeping and the dead are but as pictures….” (Act 2, scene 2, 65-70). Here it shows that when Macbeth is not strong enough to complete what he started, Lady Macbeth takes over.
Continuing on with this duo, after the killing occurred, both experienced guilt which caused them to act out. While Macbeth showed his inner battle in front of others, at dinner where Lady Macbeth had to hide what was truly wrong; Lady Macbeth showed her struggles when sleepwalking, during a time where she most likely thought she was alone. These two examples are the opposite of one another through how they are portrayed
At the end of the play, the greatest contrast between the pair is shown. Lady Macbeth takes her life from guilt, showing a sign of possible weakness. Macbeth is beheaded, dying as honorably as someone can in his situation. The final transformation of Macbeth’s character can be seen at the end. When given the news of his wife's passing he appears nonchalant simply stating, “She would have died hereafter” (Act 5, 5, 20).

In this play, a full circle of character development can be seen between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth.

Comments

  1. UnknownOctober 14, 2017 at 12:09 PM

    I completely agree with what you have said here. I thought it was so strange how at first Lady Macbeth was basically pushing Macbeth to kill Duncan but by the end she was so overcome with emotions she took her own life. To me, it almost seemed like with every murder, Macbeth got stronger and more power hungry, while Lady Macbeth became so weak that she eventually broke. Could this be a comment on the disposition and fragility of women as seen by Shakespeare?

    Another point is how unconcerned Macbeth was when he found out his wife died. His reaction to her death makes me wonder if he ever really loved her. In the field of psychology, it is thought that humans often confuse their emotions so maybe Macbeth never did love Lady Macbeth and what he really loved was status and power.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

What We Hunger For: Deep Thoughts

"Just because you survive something does not mean you are strong." To be completely honest, this story was one that I could almost watch in my head. Perhaps part of that was because it was written vividly with strong imagery and diction; perhaps because I could see a reflection of myself in Gay's story. This year has been a transformative one for me, as I have learned to become more self-aware and acknowledging that there is immense power in naming our struggles. I am consistently told by my friends how "strong, courageous, and unfuckwithable" I am... which, I think, genuinely stems from my inability to be comfortable. I've survived too much. I've been exposed to and made it through too much... and apparently, the fact that I managed to make it "out" of those immediate situations is seen as strong. However, I am very thankful that Gay made the comment above. To me, I've always seen strength as how people cope with the long-term effects o...
Read more

A word is a word is a word

In "Bad Feminist: Take One," Gay opens up about her inner quarrels regarding her identification as a feminist. This is something I, too struggled with. At the time, the term was gaining a less than popular connotation, with a minority of the movement taking it upon themselves to spread their isolated belief that women rise above the equilibrium of society; they are superior to men and all men are inherently awful. It is easy to understand, then, why a young girl that does not share these extreme views and stereotypes may not want to be a placed beneath a spot light during such a tense situation, and would subsequently ditch the term. Ditching the term, for me at least, did not mean that I lost my way and would slowly evolve into the submissive, modest, and good woman deemed to be the ideal. Although, ditching the term is controversial and some may see it as a betrayal to the movement executed by a ‘ bad ’ woman. If the individuals remains true to their beliefs and conti...
Read more

Fifty Shades of Fantasy

I've never been too intrigued by all the 50 Shades of Grey concept. As a social work major, reading the first book in the series and watching the first movie with my aunt (yes- my AUNT...), all I could think of when I was exposed to that plot was the lack of focus on Christian's real need and outcry for help. The novel flips the 'usual' narrative of the woman being the victim and her inability to retain a healthy relationship, and shows us a man who seeks domination and control, which- some argue- is what women *really* want. I will not be the first to argue that point. In "The Trouble With Prince Charming," Gay references 50 Shades and how the author uses a disgusting sense of erotica that we can't help but be turned on by, to romanticise the idea of pure abuse, submission, and toxicity in the text. I will commend the story on one thing: Christian is adamant about consent. Mostly because it could result in a MAJOR lawsuit against him if ever interprete...
Read more