What does it take to be a good role model? A good role model is an individual who not only has the ability to shape the actions and perceptions of another but who also possesses moral values and a sense of rectitude. William Shakespeare’s Macbeth evolves around a Scottish nobleman who's ambition drives him towards the edge of sanity as he ruthlessly annihilates anyone who becomes a hindrance to his crown. His rise to power is short-lived, however, as he is eventually overthrown, leading to his demise. The female characters in Macbeth also demonstrate various personalities and behaviours that contribute to the play, but the question remains- are the women portrayed as good or bad role models? Some scholars argue that the women in Macbeth are
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To begin, some might argue that Lady Macbeth is a poor role model because she is the one who manipulates Macbeth to commit the murder of Duncan. This can be seen when Macbeth and Lady …show more content…
During the dinner party however, Macbeth begins to have second thoughts about killing Duncan and tells Lady Macbeth. In return, she asks him if he would "live a coward in thine own esteem? Letting 'I dare not' wait upon 'I would' like a poor cat i' th' adage” (Mac.1.7.42-44). This shows that Lady Macbeth is irked by her husband’s sudden change in mind about killing Duncan because she refuses to accept Macbeth's decision. Instead, "she accuses him of cowardice and mocks him, suggesting that if Macbeth does not go through with the assassination, he is a coward and will have to live with that knowledge. Lady Macbeth also adds that Macbeth will fail to do what he 'would' do, what he wants to do, because he is afraid to" (Stuva). By calling Macbeth a coward, she challenges Macbeth by questioning his manliness in hopes of persuading him to be onboard with killing Duncan again. Although some critics have pointed to this as evidence that Lady Macbeth is poor role model because she manipulates Macbeth to undertake an act that is nefarious, this is not
To begin, some might argue that Lady Macbeth is a poor role model because she is the one who manipulates Macbeth to commit the murder of Duncan. This can be seen when Macbeth and Lady …show more content…
During the dinner party however, Macbeth begins to have second thoughts about killing Duncan and tells Lady Macbeth. In return, she asks him if he would "live a coward in thine own esteem? Letting 'I dare not' wait upon 'I would' like a poor cat i' th' adage” (Mac.1.7.42-44). This shows that Lady Macbeth is irked by her husband’s sudden change in mind about killing Duncan because she refuses to accept Macbeth's decision. Instead, "she accuses him of cowardice and mocks him, suggesting that if Macbeth does not go through with the assassination, he is a coward and will have to live with that knowledge. Lady Macbeth also adds that Macbeth will fail to do what he 'would' do, what he wants to do, because he is afraid to" (Stuva). By calling Macbeth a coward, she challenges Macbeth by questioning his manliness in hopes of persuading him to be onboard with killing Duncan again. Although some critics have pointed to this as evidence that Lady Macbeth is poor role model because she manipulates Macbeth to undertake an act that is nefarious, this is not