Lady Macbeth’s rejection of her femininity is evident through her words and actions in Shakespeare’s play, Macbeth. One prominent example occurs in Act 1, Scene 5, when she soliloquizes about her desire to become more ruthless and ambitious in order to support her husband’s ascent to the throne. She pleads, “Come, you spirits / That tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here” (1.5.41-42), expressing her yearning to rid herself of her womanhood and the perceived limitations that come with it.
By invoking the spirits to “unsex” her, Lady Macbeth is essentially asking to be stripped of her feminine attributes, such as compassion, empathy, and tenderness. She believes that these characteristics hinder her from fully embodying the ruthless and power-hungry mindset required to carry out the regicidal plans she and her husband conceive. In her mind, being a woman equates to weakness and powerlessness, so she seeks to eliminate these traits to attain the strength and assertiveness necessary for their ambitions.
This rejection of femininity is significant because it reflects the societal norms and expectations placed upon women during Shakespeare’s time. Women were often considered to be inferior to men, confined to domestic roles, and discouraged from asserting themselves in matters of power and ambition. Lady Macbeth’s desire to reject her femininity can be seen as a rebellion against these societal constraints, as she yearns to transcend her gender and the limitations it imposes.
Furthermore, Lady Macbeth’s rejection of her femininity is also linked to her desire for control and dominance. She recognizes that in order to achieve her and her husband’s ambitions, she must manipulate and influence Macbeth, who initially hesitates and expresses doubts about committing regicide. By rejecting her femininity, she seeks to position herself as a figure of authority who can guide and push Macbeth towards their shared goal. In this sense, her rejection of femininity is not solely about attaining power but also about exerting control over her husband and the situation at hand.
It is worth noting that Lady Macbeth’s rejection of her femininity ultimately comes at a great cost to her mental and emotional well-being. As the play progresses, she becomes consumed by guilt and haunted by her actions, eventually descending into madness. This tragic consequence serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of denying one’s true nature and suppressing essential aspects of oneself.
Lady Macbeth rejects her femininity by asking the spirits to “unsex” her, symbolizing her desire to rid herself of the perceived weaknesses associated with being a woman. This rejection reflects the societal norms and expectations placed upon women during Shakespeare’s time, as well as Lady Macbeth’s own aspirations for power and control. However, this rejection ultimately leads to her downfall, highlighting the potential consequences of denying one’s true self.