I love this. However, I would still argue that lady Macbeth is still a feminist. She embodies proto-feminist transgression through her invocation of spirts. As occult practitioners were usually rich white men in Europe, so is she not feminist by taking on this male dominated role? Sorry if my comment makes no sense I’m really tired.
Oh yeah!! I agree!! I think she is a feminist character. More in the lane of Medea as she inhabits this darkly feminine space under a patriarchal order. I probably didn’t make that clear in the essay though. I’m not saying that I think she’s evil necessarily, just that according to the society she lived in, renouncing her femininity is inherently evil.
It's interesting that Shakespeare wrote this character not long after Mary I and Elizabeth I tried to solve the perceived contradiction of women in power. I wonder how it would've worked out for Mary had she not died young. It's also interesting that Elizabeth turned around the narrative--instead of being 'unsexed' by her renunciation of marriage, children, and a male figure of authority in her life to keep her power, she positioned herself as the Virgin Queen. She retains her femininity and keeps her power to herself.
Oh wow, I I didn’t know any of this about Mary I or Elizabeth I!! That’s super interesting how Elizabeth turned the narrative on its head in her own favor. Also the fact that she was known as the Virgin Queen…I’ll have to look into this more!! It sounds so fascinating!!
The lives of the Tudor queens were so interesting and tragic, totally worthy going down that rabbit hole. I’d also throw Mary, Queen of Scots in the mix. Girly had a shocking taste in men and paid dearly for it.
Such a rich analysis! You capture how Lady Macbeth’s warrior spirit gives her force, but also fractures her from the inside out. That paradox is the heart of her tragedy. I’ve always been fascinated by characters who burn so brightly they undo themselves.
Thank you so much!! And yes, her warrior spirit is so interesting to me!! I feel like her and Macbeth act as two sides of the same coin in some ways, or as counterparts, rather!! She really did burn so brightly she undid herself
Exactly! Their shared ambition demanded more than either could psychologically sustain once the murders began, and the unity that made them powerful is the very thing that destroys them. I really love this dynamic.
Interesting read! It made me want to dive back into Macbeth; it’s been quite a while since I read it. The fact that Shakespeare wrote a woman who challenged gender norms centuries ago is remarkable.
I’d be curious to know your definition of warrior spirit specifically - I can infer from this analysis, but it seems to differ greatly from other definitions I’ve previously come across. It’s intriguing to me to think about reframing what it means to be a warrior.
Thank you so much!! Yes, Lady Macbeth was a character ahead of its time in many ways, even if still being bound by gender norms!! It’s been a while since I’ve read this, but it’s mostly referring to the way in which she takes on violent role to attain power. In this paradigm nurturing = feminine and brutality = masculine.
Okay, yeah, that’s what I gathered. I’ve always thought of the warrior spirit, especially in literature, as someone who fights for what’s right, ends up triumphant, can get themselves out of nearly any situation. Lady Macbeth didn’t end up triumphant, though. She was ambitious, killed (even if indirectly) for it, and suffered mental anguish because of it.
Anyway, what intrigues me about your analysis is how often those characters in literature become triumphant by violence/war. But it’s portrayed as heroism/violence out of necessity - the character has no other option if they want to save their land, themselves, their family, whatever. I wonder if Shakespeare is trying to counter the idea that violence should make someone triumphant. Especially because Macbeth himself doesn’t even make it out unscathed. Obviously, that’s a whole different essay. 😩 But your piece/definition of warrior spirit definitely got me thinking!
Your a wonderful writer
Thank you so much!!😭❤️
Your welcome coral
I love this. However, I would still argue that lady Macbeth is still a feminist. She embodies proto-feminist transgression through her invocation of spirts. As occult practitioners were usually rich white men in Europe, so is she not feminist by taking on this male dominated role? Sorry if my comment makes no sense I’m really tired.
Oh yeah!! I agree!! I think she is a feminist character. More in the lane of Medea as she inhabits this darkly feminine space under a patriarchal order. I probably didn’t make that clear in the essay though. I’m not saying that I think she’s evil necessarily, just that according to the society she lived in, renouncing her femininity is inherently evil.
It's interesting that Shakespeare wrote this character not long after Mary I and Elizabeth I tried to solve the perceived contradiction of women in power. I wonder how it would've worked out for Mary had she not died young. It's also interesting that Elizabeth turned around the narrative--instead of being 'unsexed' by her renunciation of marriage, children, and a male figure of authority in her life to keep her power, she positioned herself as the Virgin Queen. She retains her femininity and keeps her power to herself.
Oh wow, I I didn’t know any of this about Mary I or Elizabeth I!! That’s super interesting how Elizabeth turned the narrative on its head in her own favor. Also the fact that she was known as the Virgin Queen…I’ll have to look into this more!! It sounds so fascinating!!
The lives of the Tudor queens were so interesting and tragic, totally worthy going down that rabbit hole. I’d also throw Mary, Queen of Scots in the mix. Girly had a shocking taste in men and paid dearly for it.
Oh my gosh yesss I will have to go into that rabbit hole!! Probably very interesting to look into women in power from back then!!👑
Such a rich analysis! You capture how Lady Macbeth’s warrior spirit gives her force, but also fractures her from the inside out. That paradox is the heart of her tragedy. I’ve always been fascinated by characters who burn so brightly they undo themselves.
Thank you so much!! And yes, her warrior spirit is so interesting to me!! I feel like her and Macbeth act as two sides of the same coin in some ways, or as counterparts, rather!! She really did burn so brightly she undid herself
Exactly! Their shared ambition demanded more than either could psychologically sustain once the murders began, and the unity that made them powerful is the very thing that destroys them. I really love this dynamic.
Interesting read! It made me want to dive back into Macbeth; it’s been quite a while since I read it. The fact that Shakespeare wrote a woman who challenged gender norms centuries ago is remarkable.
I’d be curious to know your definition of warrior spirit specifically - I can infer from this analysis, but it seems to differ greatly from other definitions I’ve previously come across. It’s intriguing to me to think about reframing what it means to be a warrior.
Thank you so much!! Yes, Lady Macbeth was a character ahead of its time in many ways, even if still being bound by gender norms!! It’s been a while since I’ve read this, but it’s mostly referring to the way in which she takes on violent role to attain power. In this paradigm nurturing = feminine and brutality = masculine.
Okay, yeah, that’s what I gathered. I’ve always thought of the warrior spirit, especially in literature, as someone who fights for what’s right, ends up triumphant, can get themselves out of nearly any situation. Lady Macbeth didn’t end up triumphant, though. She was ambitious, killed (even if indirectly) for it, and suffered mental anguish because of it.
Anyway, what intrigues me about your analysis is how often those characters in literature become triumphant by violence/war. But it’s portrayed as heroism/violence out of necessity - the character has no other option if they want to save their land, themselves, their family, whatever. I wonder if Shakespeare is trying to counter the idea that violence should make someone triumphant. Especially because Macbeth himself doesn’t even make it out unscathed. Obviously, that’s a whole different essay. 😩 But your piece/definition of warrior spirit definitely got me thinking!
YES!! This is why I have always been sooo fascinated by Lady Macbeth!!
She walked so Cersei Lannister could run!!😤
But yes, Lady Macbeth is a great character!!
Thank you so much!! I definitely do want to put out more essays!! I’m sure I’ll be putting the out a lot more once I’m back in Uni though!! :)