How is Lady Macbeth presented in Shakespeare's Macbeth?

Whilst Shakespeare's 'Macbeth' may indicate that it is Macbeth himself that is the central protagonist, Lady Macbeth is instead the one who captures the audience's attention. This is because Lady Macbeth defies the conventions of her time; outspoken and incredibly influential, Lady Macbeth challenges the conventions of what it means to be a 'Shakespearian woman'. Indeed, this is most explicitly encapsulated in her demand to the gods, "unsex me here", insinuating that her gender would preclude her from committing the devious and harsh actions that she had in mind.

TA
Answered by Tania A. English tutor

5140 Views

See similar English GCSE tutors

Related English GCSE answers

All answers ▸

Explore how tension is created in The Woman in Black, with specific reference to genre


How should I plan an essay in an exam?


How do I analyse an unseen poem in the exam?


Every year many schools and colleges get involved in different activities to support local charities. You would like to raise money for a local charity by organising a summer fun day. Prepare a talk for your class giving details about the charity, the eve


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning