REDEFINING HEROISM: AN ANALYSIS OF LADY MACBETH’S CHARACTER IN MACBETH

Abstract

This research highlights the importance of Lady Macbeth as a hero, examining the historical and cultural oversight that privileged male heroism and marginalized notable female characters. As the catalyst for the tragic events of the play, Lady Macbeth is often overlooked in critical discourse that centers on her husband’s quest for power. Drawing on Maria Tatar's The Heroine with 1001 Faces, the study challenges traditional gender biases that diminish the contributions of female characters in literature. The objectives are to demonstrate Lady Macbeth’s heroic qualities, explore reasons for her exclusion from heroic recognition, and analyze her impact on the play’s action. Using a qualitative methodology, this research analyzes primary and secondary sources, including Tatar's work and several scholarly articles. The study advocates for recognizing and appreciating female characters’ roles, contributing to a broader understanding of heroism beyond gender constraints.