Women in "Macbeth"

Book Review # 93373

Drama and Theater > English
English > Analysis
Literature > English

Women in "Macbeth"

An analysis of the roles of the female characters in William Shakespeare's "Macbeth".

1,096 words () | 2 sources | MLA | 2006 Canada

Paper Summary:

This paper examines how in Shakespeare's "Macbeth", each and every woman in the play has a significant role that drive the play to its final conclusion. It looks at how three witches spark the downfall of Macbeth through the prophecy, how Lady Macbeth is the driving force that causes Macbeth to go through with the assassination and how Hecate, who is the strongest woman in the play wholly uses her power to do evil.

From the Paper:

"The three witches are the root of the conflict in the play, as per the first scene of the play they are shown as foul, evil and immoral beings. The lines "Fair is foul, and foul is fair, Hover through the fog and filthy air." (Shakespeare 1.1.12-13) state that the witches are not setting any limits to the havoc they will unleash, saying that even the most virtuous acts are unjust and harsh deeds are justified because to them they are all the same. The witches are also showed as very experienced in this type of work and as a result they show no hesitation for the acts they will perform on Macbeth and Banquo. "

Sample of Sources Used:

Shakespeare, William. Macbeth. Washington: Washington Square P, 1992
"Macbeth." Wikipedia. 8 Dec. 2006. 24 Winter 2006 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macbeth>