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How far does Shakespeare present lady Macbeth as a strong female character?
One of the play's most interesting and nuanced female characters is Lady Macbeth, as portrayed by
Shakespeare
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But her eventual collapse calls into question both the repercussions of her desires and the
boundaries of her power
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Finally, completely overcome by remorse
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Shakespeare portrays ambition as something Macbeth lacks in Lady Macbeth's soliloquy, implying that
Lady Macbeth wants to influence Macbeth to act
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The insulting
symbolism of milk implies that Lady Macbeth thinks her husband is too feminine
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After that, Lady Macbeth makes the case
that ambition necessitates "illness" in order to acquire power
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Fearing that Macbeth is "too full o'th'milk of human kindness," Lady Macbeth expresses
her genuine opinions out loud when she is by herself
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Here, ambition is clearly associated with masculinity, and the
original audience would have been taken aback by a female figure who defied conventional expectations
of feminine behaviour
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This moment illustrates not only her ambition but also her understanding of the
limitations placed on women during her time
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” This metaphor conjures the idea
of persuasion as a liquid, infusing Macbeth’s mind with something unnatural and lethal
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In her first
introduction, Lady Macbeth is depicted as an exceptionally atypical woman: rather than being a compliant
and obedient wife, she is seen scheming on behalf of Macbeth, criticizing him, and is portrayed as having
authority over both him and her environment
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This
indicates that Lady Macbeth has nearly taken on the dominant role in their relationship, adopting the
traditionally ‘male’ traits of power and assertiveness, while Macbeth’s “kindness” can be interpreted as a
sign of vulnerability
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This line reveals her profound guilt and the psychological effects of her ambition
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While Shakespeare portrays her as a powerful female figure, he also critiques the societal
forces and consequences that contribute to her downfall
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In Act 1, Scene 5, her ambition and resolve shine through as she aims to manipulate destiny and
reject her femininity
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Through Lady Macbeth, Shakespeare examines the delicate interplay
between strength and fragility, ultimately illustrating that the quest for power can lead to one’s downfall
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How far does Stevenson present Hyde as a fearful and dangerous character?
In Robert Louis Stevenson's "Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde," the ambiance of fear and peril is
intricately interlaced with the depiction of Hyde, especially noticeable in the given extract
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In the excerpt, Stevenson portrays Hyde using language that conveys a sense of threat and disgust
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The term "dwarfish"
suggests a physical abnormality that alludes to something unnatural about Hyde
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The choice of the word "pale" further highlights the lifelessness linked to him, stirring fears of mortality and
the eerie
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For
example, Mr
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The term "unexpressed" indicates a profound fear that
goes beyond simple words, demonstrating how Hyde evokes a primal dread even in the most rational
individuals
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Furthermore, in the pivotal scenes of the play, particularly when Hyde viciously attacks Sir Danvers Carew,
Stevenson employs graphic language to intensify the atmosphere of brutality and dread
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This analogy to an animal not only strips Hyde of his humanity but also links him to primal
urges and aggression, amplifying the feeling of peril
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Jekyll, who are constrained by those very norms
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Stevenson notes that he "experienced a strange, unpleasant sensation of deformity," which implies that
Hyde's existence is disconcerting not only to those who meet him but also to himself
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The city itself transforms into a character within this story,
now corrupted by Hyde's presence
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In summary, Stevenson's depiction of Hyde is crucial in establishing a sense of fear and peril throughout
"Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde
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The ambiance he generates not only mirrors the personal dread that Hyde
evokes but also acts as a critique of the wider societal anxieties of the era, emphasizing the duality of human
nature and the fragile veneer of civilization that can be effortlessly disrupted

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