The Role Of Female Characters In William Shakespea

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William Shakespeare – Macbeth
“The Role of Female Characters in William Shakespeare’s Macbeth”
William Shakespeare’s Macbeth is unarguably one of his most famous plays. This tragedy of character and morals offers numbers of focuses yet the role, importance and strength of female characters of the play can hardly be omitted in most of them. Female characters are crucial for the play’s premise and development.
This short analysis focuses on the strength of suggestion and control of female characters of the play. Albeit Macbeth may seem as a strong and independent character his actions are substantially influenced by the female characters of the play. In addition, the leading female characters of the play are essentially portrayed as evil and their actions lead the play’s tragic development.
The premise of the play is revealed at the very beginning of the play. The three witches awaken Macbeth’s ambition when they call him “thane of Glamis, thane of Cawdor and king hereafter” (I.iii. 48-50) and present the main characters and their relationships. First, Macbeth is dismissive of the three witches’ prophecy knowing that
The thane of Cawdor lives,
A prosperous gentleman; and to be king
Stands not within the prospect of belief;
(I.iii. 72-74) but he gains self-confidence after a part of the prophecy is fulfilled and he learns that king Duncan named him the thane of Cawdor. Banquo’s children are prophesied to be kings. The plot follows the premise until the prophecy is fulfilled.
The character of Lady Macbeth is essential for Macbeth’s actions. She realizes immediately that Macbeth is “too full o' th' milk of human kindness” (I.v. 15) when she learns of the prophecy of the Weird Sisters. Even though the ambition was placed in Macbeth’s mind Lady Macbeth fears that Macbeth would not take the steps necessary to make himself the king. Lady Macbeth therefore

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