Is Lady Macbeth a fiend!
Malcolm believed that Lady Macbeth was undoubtedly a ‘fiendlike Queen’. I strongly agree with his opinion in Act 1 and Acts 2, however as the play progressed my opinion started to sway towards the other, as I will outline in great detail.
A fiend is an evil spirit which can be the devil; this type of person is cruel, wicked and very cold hearted. A fiend lacks a conscience and never ever express guilt or regret. This is a reflection of some of Lady Macbeth’s characteristics.
Witchcraft in the 15th and 16th century was loathed by Elizabethans especially King James 1st, who was extremely fascinated by witchcraft but opposed it completely, as he saw himself as God’s representative on earth. King James despised it, as witchcraft was considered to contain fiendlike individuals, which Elizabethans abhorred. Malcolm proclaimed Lady Macbeth to be such a person. King James considered these people as Satan.
Shakespeare wrote plays not just to entertain people but to educate them. We could interpret Shakespeare’s play as a moral lesson. On one level it is Royal entertainment and leisure for all those of us who enjoy the suspense and excitement of a murder story. Shakespeare teaches us about how consorting with witch craft can only, lure one to get severely punished. He teaches us in a new way the old lesson, that crime does not pay. This will become evident throughout my assignment.
During the play we also learn that Lady Macbeth is not the typical female in Elizabethan times, as she is extremely clever, smart and aware for a woman. In those days women didn’t have an opinion or a voice, but Lady Macbeth seems to hold her ground and come across as extremely intelligent. Although she is smart Lady Macbeth is considered, one of the guilty people who consort with the ruthless witchcraft. We can see Lady Macbeth’s clever side where she pleads to the witches to ‘come unsex me now’ this is Lady Macbeth literally transforming into a witch. Elizabethans...