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The influence of gender on one’s nature is often a controversial topic among scholars. For example, men are stereotyped as being brutal, vicious and conniving. As a result, they are often considered more likely to commit acts of violence. However, in the beginning of the play “Macbeth”, an influential protagonist Lady Macbeth is seen to posses such qualities. While Lady Macbeth presents herself to others as an ordinary lady, who is the wife of the Thane of Cawdor; single-handedly she persuades her husband Macbeth, to act upon her ideas. Enduring such qualities, Lady Macbeth is portrayed through reflective analysis of her sexuality, decisiveness, and her role in dramatic irony. Therefore, it is definite that Lady Macbeth has intentions and motives to sway her husband’s decision towards regicide. The opening lines mentioned by Lady Macbeth have stated a direct opinion on her femininity. She mentions that a lady needs to contain a male’s characteristics in order to have power and the physical ability to plan out the murder of King Duncan. Lady Macbeth’s view on sexuality can be illustrated in the following phrases, “Come, you spirits / That tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here, / And fill me, from the crown to the toe, / Top-full of direst cruelty!” (1.5, ll.41-44) Calling the spirits increases Lady Macbeth’s approach to the murder of King Duncan. In addition, Lady Macbeth proves that by having a sweet and a kind personality of a lady does not provide her with the physical and the mental qualities that man in her perspective seem to have. Out of the phrases mentioned; “unsex me here” declares Lady Macbeth’s opinion on the importance of being a male. Furthermore, she continues by asking the spirits to fill her with a lot of cruelty. This informs Lady Macbeth that the only way to rise to the top of the Scottish monarch is by portraying a male’s persona.
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