discuss the portrayal of women in Shakespeare's 'Macbeth'

Contrary to the arguably shallow representation of women in the literature of Shakespeare's era (and even now), the women in Macbeth are power-hungry, calculating, and often the embodiment of everything a woman 'shouldn't' be. For example, Lady Macbeth not only rejects the idea of motherhood - which would have been assumed as the ultimate desire for women by an audience of the 16th century - but divulges her explicit desire to "dash th'brains out" of any child she bore. Shakespeare uses Lady Macbeth as a tool to show that women can be murderous and cruel, yet powerful, seen in Lady Macbeth's manipulation of her husband to kill Macduff, and her subsequent ridiculing of his fear after he does so. It would appear that whilst to the nation Macbeth is a ruler, in private it is his wife that is in control. Women's power in Macbeth is also shown through the witches, who ultimately ensnare Macbeth in their mysterious promises for his glory, referring to him as "Thane of Cawdor", and prove as major influencers in his downfall. The Witches are all-knowing and all-powerful, not entirely of this earth, and therefore untouchable. Women thought to be practicing witchcraft in Shakespeare's era were usually punished with death, and the fact that the Witches evade this and instead use their power to destroy not only Macbeth's life but those around him elevate their status and power considerably. Whilst both the Witches and Lady Macbeth could be dismissed as just 'evil', it is important to look at the depiction and expectation of women in wider literature and society at the time. Shakespeare makes the women in this play controversially headstrong, independently thinking and rejecting of what is expected of them (though arguably not in the case of Lady Macduff, who serves as the embodiment of everything the other women aren't - loving, family-orientated and nurturing). They refuse to their desires compromised, especially Lady Macbeth, and show that women can be leaders and influencers, yet also simply cruel.