The Psychological Meltdown Of Lady Macbeth
The Psychological Meltdown of Lady Macbeth
In Shakespeare’s play Macbeth, Shakespeare challenges the idea of male dominancy. Is Macbeth really in control of his own actions, or is he being manipulated by the women around him? Maybe Macbeth would never be king if the witches had not suggested it. Duncan could have lived a full life if it were not for Lady Macbeth. Shakespeare gives women a sort of power over him. In Lady Macbeth’s case, the very power that drives her insane. By giving powerful women a negative view, Shakespeare argues in Macbeth that men should always be leaders, otherwise the result will be madness; therefore, validating the patriarchal system of his time.
Lady Macbeth was the major driving force behind Macbeth throughout the …show more content…
For example, J. Levin believes that Lady Macbeth goes crazy due to possible childlessness. As stated by Levin (2002),“Lady Macbeth's illness . . . could be explained directly as a reaction to her childlessness”. In his opinion, Shakespeare uses “Lady Macbeth’s domineering sexuality” as a way to validate the patriarchal order of his time. He wanted to instill fear of strong women among men. Levin (2002) says that she, “ultimately validates the patriarchal order through her very resistance.” From another viewpoint, Catherine E. Thomas (2012) believes, “once Lady Macbeth’s plot is foiled and her position of wife is less central, she fades away into madness and eventually, suicidal death”. Basically Lady Macbeth can’t handle being her husband’s afterthought, which again supports J. Levin’s theory of supporting the patriarchal order. Some critics remain unsure as to what caused the illness; Freud (1916) states, “‘What, however, these motives can have been which in so short a space of time could turn the hesitating, ambitious man into an unbridled tyrant, and his steely-hearted instigator into a sick woman gnawed by remorse, it is, in my view, impossible to guess’” (as quoted in Churchill, 2014). After reading these ideas, my own opinions lead me to suggest that the meltdown was caused by Lady Macbeth “becoming a woman again” and not being able to psychologically deal with their actions. This must have triggered trauma induced separation anxiety, as her sleep pattern is disrupted while Macbeth is away; she fears his dauntless
In Shakespeare’s play Macbeth, Shakespeare challenges the idea of male dominancy. Is Macbeth really in control of his own actions, or is he being manipulated by the women around him? Maybe Macbeth would never be king if the witches had not suggested it. Duncan could have lived a full life if it were not for Lady Macbeth. Shakespeare gives women a sort of power over him. In Lady Macbeth’s case, the very power that drives her insane. By giving powerful women a negative view, Shakespeare argues in Macbeth that men should always be leaders, otherwise the result will be madness; therefore, validating the patriarchal system of his time.
Lady Macbeth was the major driving force behind Macbeth throughout the …show more content…
For example, J. Levin believes that Lady Macbeth goes crazy due to possible childlessness. As stated by Levin (2002),“Lady Macbeth's illness . . . could be explained directly as a reaction to her childlessness”. In his opinion, Shakespeare uses “Lady Macbeth’s domineering sexuality” as a way to validate the patriarchal order of his time. He wanted to instill fear of strong women among men. Levin (2002) says that she, “ultimately validates the patriarchal order through her very resistance.” From another viewpoint, Catherine E. Thomas (2012) believes, “once Lady Macbeth’s plot is foiled and her position of wife is less central, she fades away into madness and eventually, suicidal death”. Basically Lady Macbeth can’t handle being her husband’s afterthought, which again supports J. Levin’s theory of supporting the patriarchal order. Some critics remain unsure as to what caused the illness; Freud (1916) states, “‘What, however, these motives can have been which in so short a space of time could turn the hesitating, ambitious man into an unbridled tyrant, and his steely-hearted instigator into a sick woman gnawed by remorse, it is, in my view, impossible to guess’” (as quoted in Churchill, 2014). After reading these ideas, my own opinions lead me to suggest that the meltdown was caused by Lady Macbeth “becoming a woman again” and not being able to psychologically deal with their actions. This must have triggered trauma induced separation anxiety, as her sleep pattern is disrupted while Macbeth is away; she fears his dauntless