The Audience's View of Lady Macbeth

The Audience's View of Lady Macbeth

Macbeth focuses strongly around its two main characters, Macbeth and

Lady Macbeth. Throughout, we see character development, as the changes

in the plot have a direct impact on the characters.

Macbeth is only a semi fictitious play. Shakespeare used a piece of

Scottish history to base his play on, although many details were

changed and developed. The character of Banquo was an ancestor of the

king at the time, James I. In Macbeth he is seen as a positive

character; however, in truth 'The chronicles of Scotland' depict him

as being a much nastier character. This was done by Macbeth to gain

respect and most probably money from the crown. 'Macbeth' was thought

to be written in 1606; just one year after parliament was nearly

overthrown. Known now as 'bonfire night' this would help create public

interest and have the public questioning the over throw of power, the

plot of the play.

The representation of the characters, by directors and actors has

developed a variety of performances since the 17th century. The

characters representation change to meet the expectations of the

audience. For example, in the 17th century , the witches were

portrayed as ugly hags, however in our modern day they are often

depicted as being young and sexy As society's opinions change, so do

the characters. At the time of writing the play, the audience had

strong opinions of the supernatural and treason. Their reaction

towards Lady Macbeth would be very different from our own. They would

see her in a more negative light. During the 17th Century religion

played a big part in peoples' lives. With the threat of hell, people

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...hey explain parts of

the play which may have happened off stage. It also meets the criteria

of a Greek tragedy; someone's flaws leads them to actions, which lead

to their downfall, and a final fatal tragedy.

Macbeth has become numb from power,

'She should have died here after'

The death of his wife fails to provoke much of a reaction from him.

At the end of the play Lady Macbeth is described by Malcom as being a

'fiend like queen'; this is an unjust comment. Throughout the play

Lady Macbeth has shown two contrasting sides to her personality. Lady

Macbeth shows obvious remorse for her actions by her strange

behaviour, sleepwalking and suicide. This statement is made after

Macbeth and Lady Macbeths' deaths. Malcolm would hardly show leniency

to a pair of treacherous murders shortly before he is to be crowned.