Bryant1

Eudora R. Bryant
Mr. Tawes
British Literature Honors
6 March2015
Feminism in Macbeth : A Virtuous Woman for A Deserving Man
"Women are like teabags. You never know how strong they are until you put them in hot
water." -Eleanor Roosevelt
The prime example of a virtuous woman in politics and leadership is the wonderful
Eleanor Roosevelt. She is the epitome of a leader. Regardless of the fact that she is a female, she
is an all time leader for multiple generations. The Eleanor Roosevelt in Macbeth, is Lady
Macbeth. Lady Macbeth is given the role of the instigator when she supports her husband, Lady
Macbeth is far from the villain she exhibits the qualities of a true virtuous woman.
The true test of any virtuous woman is their reaction to personal situations, trials and
tribulations. As these blockades arise, a virtuous woman finds a detour to her goal...she triumphs
regardless. As stated in the book The Wit and Wisdom of Eleanor Roosevelt, a woman's strength
is truly revealed in hot water. The hot water is a symbol of rough times. The clear definition of a
virtuous woman is that she is a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed is as
rottenness in the bones (King James Bible, Prov. 12.4). In layman terms, this means that a good
wife is like a husband's glory, while a shameful wife is like disease to her husband.
Macbeth itself is know as one of the most tragic and dark works of William Shakespeare.
However, it is also one of his most famous and powerful works that impacted literature as a
whole. Many valid perceptions of the tragedy have been made, but one rings true. A major theme
and moral lesson from Macbeth is balancing ambition and greediness in regards to power.

Bryant2

Unfortunately, a woman that takes charge and pushes her husband to be the very best and do
whatever may be necessary in order for him to succeed is made to be the villain. As a wife Lady
Macbeth wanted Macbeth to get what they both desired which was sovereignty.
Lady Macbeth only displays the qualities of any virtuous woman. As the wife of a
potential royal, it is her job to push him to reach every one of his goals. It is her duty to uphold
his name and construct a legacy that they will both be able to leave behind. Most importantly it is
her responsibility to support him in all of his realistic dreams. She must be there to veer him
down his narrow path even when he gets a little swayed. Ensuring his hopes and the amount of
success they reach as a couple in leadership is important as well.
William Shakespeare's masterpieces often seem quite derogatory to females. Throughout
the tragedy only one woman is made to seem decent in the presence of Lady Macduff. Lady
Macduff's existence within Macbeth is only significant to develop a contrast between herself and
Lady Macbeth. The two women that could be of great of importance are only used to show
themselves as the pure example or the evil seed. The three witches are made to seem cooky and
spooky. Why not good witches or why not warlocks instead? The fact that Lady Macbeth had to
encourage her husband to do what he was already planning to do, does not make her evil but it
makes her determined.
I do not need to remind you of the great scenes preceding the murder, in

which

Macbeth and his Lady pull themselves together for their desperate effort. If you think
over these scenes, you notice that the Macbeths understand the action which begins here
as a competition and a stunt, against reason and against nature. Lady Macbeth fears her
husband's human nature, as well as her own female nature, and therefore she fears the

Bryant3

light of reason and the common daylight world ("Women's Sinister Roles in
Shakespeare's Macbeth.").
This article can arise a similar perspective that maybe the evil acts were not supposed to be
blamed on any of the characters, especially Lady Macbeth. The article suggests that human
nature is to blame. If that is the case then man nor woman is to blame, so does that make Lady
Macbeth a villain? No, it makes her human.
All females throughout the tragedy are disrespected by the fact that they have no real
names or power. Each and every woman in Macbeth is given a title along with a duty of ill-will.
The witches are subject to Hectate and the ladies are subject to their husbands. Only because of
this fact can a strong feminist issue rise. After taking in account the fact that the women are the
givers, the pushers, the conjurers they deserve a proper place and beneath a man is not the
calling.

Works Cited
Foster, Edward E. "Macbeth." Masterplots, Fourth Edition (2010): 1-3. Literary Reference
Center. Web. 5 Mar. 2015.

Bryant4

Findlay, Alison. "Macbeth, Lady." Women In Shakespeare (2010): 239-241. Literary Reference
Center. Web. 2 Mar. 2015.
"Women's Sinister Roles in Shakespeare's Macbeth." 123HelpMe.com. 02 Mar 2015.
Alchin, Linda. "Elizabethan Women." Elizabethan Women. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Feb. 2015.
Davis, Marion A. "A Brief Look at Feminism in Shakespeare's Macbeth." Student Pulse 1.11
(2009). <http://www.studentpulse.com/a?id=67>
Ayres, Alex. The Wit and Wisdom of Eleanor Roosevelt. New York, NY, U.S.A.: Meridian, 1996.
Print.
Pancoast, Rebecca. "Morality and Gender: Feminist Interpretations of Macbeth." Cedar Crest.
University. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Mar. 2015.
The King James Reference Bible. Platinum ed. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan, 1977. Print.
Mabillard, Amanda. Introduction to the Characters in Macbeth. Shakespeare Online. 20 Aug.
2000. < http://www.shakespeare-online.com/plays/macbeth/macbethchars.html >