At the end of the play Lady Macbeth is described as a “fiend-like Queen” to what extent do you agree?

Written in a feudal and patriarchal society, Shakespeare’s Lady Macbeth subverts traditional norms and values as she is arguably a strong, ruthless and unscrupulous character. Whilst Jacobean audiences may see her as unattractive or undesirable as she lacks femininity, modern audiences and particularly feminists may advocate her robust character and empathise with her position in an oppressive society. However despite her courage and ambition it could also be argued she is evil or fiend-like, her manipulation of Macbeth and disregard for motherhood “turn my milk to gall” suggests she is in fact a vindictive and evil character who pushes Macbeth to commit murder for her own personal gain and greed.

Jacobean audiences may see her lack of femininity and maternal instincts as an accreditation of evil as motherhood was a woman’s main responsibility. Lady Macbeths infamous soliloquy where she calls on “murderous ministers” to “unsex” her suggests she wishes to discard her gender and its associations, in order to pursue her ambition she must either become male or have no gender at all, for being a woman hinders her chances. Feminists may condemn this as a consequence of a patriarchal society; her disregard of her gender is merely a necessity if she is to achieve her goals. However it could also be argued that in fact it is her choice rather than pressure to adopt a male stance, to reject femininity and to plan a murder, making her a “fiend-like Queen” as she actively chooses to go against societal norms and, to a Jacobean audience, do evil.  Lady Macbeths unnatural response to motherhood could also suggest she is “fiend-like” as “plucked my nipple from its boneless gums and dashed the brains out” implies she would murder an innocent new born baby. This goes against not only societal rules but natures, as a mother killing your own child is the ultimate sin, to both Jacobean and modern audiences, and an act of pure evil. Lady Macbeths lack of femininity and maternity portrays her as an unnatural character evoking emotions of terror as we are uncertain not only of her gender but her capacity to kill.

Feminists have often been intrigued by Lady Macbeths character as she is ambitious and chooses to pursue her goals, perhaps their interpretation of Lady Macbeth is not that of a “fiend-like Queen” but rather of an admirable woman. Female Gothic characters are portrayed as passive victims in countless novels and plays, so Lady Macbeth’s active nature is innovative and perhaps even inspiring within this genre.  Lady Macbeth plans and organises the murder, using her manipulative talents “when you durst do it, then you were a man” to persuade Macbeth to murder Duncan to gain Queen status. Her decisiveness reinforces this as her male counterpart is riddled with anxiety whereas Lady Macbeth knows how to achieve her goals. Despite her constraints as a woman, she desperately tries to achieve her aspirations through any means possible, depicting her as a savvy, intelligent and determined character rather than “fiend-like”.

Whilst skills of manipulation may ensure Lady Macbeth reaches her goals it is a skill often looked upon as evil and malicious. It could be argued that Lady Macbeth emasculates Macbeth “and live a coward in thine own esteem”  to bully him into doing an act of evil for her own benefit. Lady Macbeth picks up on Macbeths insecurities of masculinity to influence him, her cruel words are the final push that tempts Macbeth to kill Duncan, whilst he held the dagger she instigated the murder, portraying her as perhaps more evil than Macbeth.  Lady Macbeth cunningly forces Macbeth into murder by using her position as a woman to emasculate and distress him. Jacobean audiences may see her sly disposition as intrinsically evil as it could symbolize the sly serpent that tempted Eve, this could be reinforced by Lady Macbeths equivocating phrase “be the innocent flower but be the serpent under’t”.  Lady Macbeths manipulation of Macbeth and association with the evil of temptation creates a “fiend-like Queen”.

It could be disputed that Shakespeare connects Lady Macbeth and the Witches together by use of language as both use equivocating phrases. The Witches dichotomy “fair is foul and foul is fair” at the beginning of the play suggests their liminal state evoking uncertainty surrounding them, their use of equivocation when prophesising to Macbeth creates further mystery making them seem unsettling and perhaps even evil as they withhold the truth. As Lady Macbeth also equivocates  “be the innocent flower but be the serpent under’t” Shakespeare may be deliberately conjuring a link between the characters, reinforcing Lady Macbeths “fiend-like” quality as she is associated with the unsettling and evil witches. Another tie may also be through the way in which the Witches and Lady Macbeth influence Macbeth, both are through manipulative words that tempt him to commit murder by suggesting if he does he will either become King or become a man. Connection may also be made through the ambiguity of gender, whilst the Witches “should be women and yet your beards forbid me to interpret that you are so” suggests they are in a liminal state, as they are neither female nor male, Lady Macbeth is also assuming male qualities as she is unsexed and disregarded her femininity. Finally, a further link could be interpreted as one via the Gothic concept of the supernatural, the Witches powers, chants and ability to disappear make them seem supernatural and Lady Macbeth calls on “spirits” to fill her with “direst cruelty” suggesting her alliance with supernatural beings. This multitude of connections between Lady Macbeth and the Witches could indicate, like the evil Witches, Lady Macbeth is evil also, representing her as a “fiend-like Queen”.

Ironically, it could be argued that Lady Macbeths evil traits and “fiend-like” nature are present in the beginning of the play despite being labelled thus at the end. Structurally Lady Macbeths evilness is most prominent at the beginning of the play and dissipates towards the end as her guilt overcomes her and she feels remorse for her actions. In the beginning Lady Macbeth states “a little water clear us of this deed” implying her lack of remorse and understanding of the gravity of the situation, she feels just to wash her hands will take away any guilt of murder, suggesting her callous and “fiend-like” character. However towards the end of the play in Act five Lady Macbeth is plagued with guilt and remorse, so much so she has become a somnambulist. Her sleepwalking consists mainly of trying to wash her hands, she is tormented by the “spot” of blood or the remnant of guilt she cannot remove “will these hands ne’er be clean”. This suggests she is truly remorseful and guilty, this is reinforced by her acknowledgement of Lady Macduff “the Thane of Fife had a wife. Where is she now?” she feels tremendous guilt over what she has instigated. The guilt we see at the end of the play suggests that perhaps she is not evil or inhuman as may have been thought by her connection with the supernatural witches but in fact a character driven to commit evil by desires and oppression. She is perhaps not “fiend-like” but rather very normal and human, she has made a mistake due to perhaps her greed or aspiration and is dealing with the consequences.

Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are presented as partners in the beginning of the play “greatest partner” that have a strong relationship. It could be argued that Lady Macbeths manipulation comes from love for her husband and she wants the best for him and for him to achieve his goals, her cruel words are perhaps an attempt to push him in the direction of success and status, despite the consequences. Jacobean audiences may not see this view as marriage was often a financial agreement rather than a bond, however modern audiences may support this interpretation as they could see the love Lady Macbeth has for her husband as  catalyst for her actions suggesting she is not evil but rather confused. Perhaps her moral judgement is clouded by love and desire for the best for her husband, she may not be a “fiend-like Queen” but rather a devoted wife.

Despite Lady Macbeths manipulation and disregard for motherhood it could be argued she is not inherently evil or “fiend-like” but rather has been forced by a patriarchal society to commit evil acts. Her place in society as a woman, unable to achieve what her husband can as driven her to pursue her ambitions through more cunning ways, perhaps her struggle makes her actually a victim. She is a victim of a patriarchal society but also a victim of insanity as her guilt causes her mental instability. Whilst many Jacobean audiences may see her acts as immoral and wicked, a modern audience may sympathise more with Lady Macbeths character, as they may appreciate the glass ceiling she faces.