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Macbeth: Appearances Can Be Deceiving
Similar to the Titan Arum, or corpse flower, Lady Macbeth’s rotten interior is disguised by
an aesthetically pleasing exterior. She acts as an influential force, constantly advising and
coercing her husband to commit immoral acts in order to increase their political standings.
Throughout Macbeth, Shakespeare uses irony to give insight to Lady Macbeth’s character,
demonstrating how outward feminine traits conceal underlying masculine behaviors, resulting in
the manipulation of male characters; this confirms the power imbalance between men and
women.
Lady Macbeth rejects the traditional female preoccupation with love to persuade Macbeth to
commit murder, so they can rise through the civic ranks, exhibiting the control she lords over
him. For example, after Duncan honors Macbeth, he experiences remorse about the planned
regicide: “And wakes it now, to look so green and pale/ At what it did so freely? From this time/
Such I account thy love” (I, vii, 41-45). Women’s roles in their marital relations once mainly
consisted of the support for and submission to the husband. Macbeth’s wife, however, dominates
him, controlling him emotionally through feminine means. She uses their romantic involvement
as leverage when convincing Macbeth to commit regicide. Ironically, his romantic infatuation
with her inhibits his judgement, while her emotional distance, a predominately virile trait, allows
her to control the situation. In addition, when Macbeth expresses doubt concerning their murder
plot, Lady Macbeth articulates, “I would, while it was smiling in my face,/ Have pluck’d my
nipple from his boneless gums/ And dash’d the brains out, had I so sworn as you/ Have done to
this” (I, vii, 61-66). During the High Middle Ages women were expected to display maternal
devotion. Their primary roles in society revolved around the care and production of children,
causing parental affection and nurturing to become a womanly stereotype. Lady Macbeth’s
willingness to sacrifice her offspring in exchange for political advancement, depicts an obvious
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deficiency in these traits and establishes situational irony. Her blatant disregard for her child’s
health and well-being emphasize her masculine ambition, which overpowers Macbeth’s
hesitations. In summary, to illustrate Lady Macbeth’s influence over her husband, Shakespeare
constructs a character that contradicts traditional womanly behavior to benefit her political
agenda.
Lady Macbeth takes advantage of female stereotypes, capitalizing on their fragile portrayal
of women, allowing her to avoid her demise. For instance, following the discovery of King
Duncan’s corpse, Macduff attempts to shield the women to protect their “fragile states”: “O
gentle lady,/ 'Tis not for you to hear what I can speak:/ The repetition, in a woman's ear,/ Would
murder as it fell” (II, iii, 95-99). Shakespeare generates dramatic irony when Macduff assumes
Lady Macbeth is too weak to hear about Duncan’s murder, when in actuality, she plans and helps
execute it. She uses this assumption of female weakness as means to further her alibi, acting
surprised upon the news of Duncan’s death. She hides her manlike strength of character, instead
opting for a more ladylike reaction to the murder. This gives her the upper hand, when Macduff’s
miscalculation of her resolve, causes him to let down his guard and leaves him vulnerable to her
attack. Furthermore, Macbeth fumbles while he makes an effort to clear his name of suspicion,
causing Lady Macbeth to divert attention through faux fainting: “Help me hence, ho!/ Look to
the lady” ( II, ii, 138-139). Shakespeare creates dramatic irony within this scene, seeing as the
other characters are unaware of Lady Macbeth’s true emotional state. She uses their perception
of women against them, playing the weak stereotype to shift attention from a floundering
Macbeth. Her exploitation of their narrow-minded views establish her masculine tendency to
shape a situation to her own benefit. She preys on their need to be the dominant sex, giving her
the true power. In closing, by taking advantage of female prejudices, Lady Macbeth avoids
suspicion, which allows her to continue her rise in the government hierarchy.
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Lady Macbeth utilizes men’s assumed trust in women, causing them to have a false
perception of her character, and ultimately resulting in the loss of male domination. To illustrate,
as Lady Macbeth invites Duncan into her castle, he exclaims, “Fair and noble hostess,/ We are
your guest to-night” (I, v, 30-31). This is an example of dramatic irony, as the other characters
instill their trust in her, simply based on their understanding of her gender. She, however, proves
to be an untrustworthy person, constantly exploiting male characters. Upon welcoming the guests
into her house she plays the genial host’s role, gaining the others’ trust to avoid suspicion later.
She takes action to conceal her agenda and establish a reliable reputation among the visitors.
Their obliviousness to her true nature, gives her the ability to operate under the radar, her
behaviors eventually resulting in her rise in political authority. Moreover, upon greeting Duncan,
Lady Macbeth expresses her gratitude for his benevolence towards Macbeth stating, “Against
those honors deep and broad where with/ Your majesty loads our house. For those of old,/ And
the late dignities heaped up to them,/ We rest your hermits” (I, vi, 21-24). It is a traditionally
feminine behavior to express gratefulness, which Lady Macbeth does profusely in order to gain
Duncan’s faith and favor. Ironically, he views her as an ally and loyal subject, expressing his
personal interest in their relationship. She takes advantage of his gullible and trusting nature,
luring him into a false sense of security and is sure to develop a positive character in Duncan’s
eyes, granting her power, via the element of surprise. Finally, through the employment of male
trust in her ladylike image, Macbeth’s wife establishes authority over the masculine upper-class.
Lady Macbeth is characterized by her outward feminine appearance, which acts as a veil for
her masculine characteristics, enabling her to manipulate male characters in order to ascend the
hierarchy. She displays endless disregard for others’ wellbeing as she attempts to rise politically.
To conclude, she pinpoints each man’s strongest female prejudice and uses it against them,
portraying women as strong, independent people and defying traditional gender roles.