What do you think of my essay for Macbeth AQA

Hi,
I'd like to know if my essay is really a top mark. I put it on Tilf and got the highest mark. I've added the feedback I received. Can someone help me understand if it's accurate or shall I ask an expert to be sure?

My essay:
How far does Shakespeare present Lady Macbeth as a strong character in the play?

Seemingly, Shakespeare created the construct of Lady Macbeth as a strong female was to subvert the gender stereotype, to appease James I and a misogynist society, to reveal the dangers of oppressive females, and to criticize typical men, in a patriarchal society, because of their disregard for women.

Initially, it appears that Shakespeare portrays Lady Macbeth as a powerful female character. In her first soliloquy, she repeats the contents of Macbeth’s letter and notes his reference to her as his ‘partner of greatness.’ The term ‘partner’ suggests that Lady Macbeth is considered an equal by her husband. Alternatively, it may foreshadow their collaboration in overthrowing the existing monarch and seizing the ‘crown.’ Shakespeare might have been influenced by his own marital experience; some scholars speculate that he viewed his wife Anne as an equal, possibly reflecting a secretly feminist viewpoint. Personally, the word ‘greatness’ could imply that Macbeth views his wife as socially superior, a stark contrast to the typical view of women during the Jacobean era. This idea is reinforced when Macbeth tells her, ‘Lay it to thy heart,’ which on the surface might mean he wants her to keep the prophecies secret. It is likely that Shakespeare is subtly suggesting that Macbeth depends on Lady Macbeth’s dominant and independent nature (‘leave the rest to me’) to execute their plan.

This concept can be reinforced by noting that Macbeth’s letter is written in prose, contrasting sharply with Lady Macbeth’s dialogue in the same scene, which is articulated in iambic pentameter: "That I may pour my spirits in thine ear." This suggests that she possesses significant persuasive power over her husband. Additionally, the sophisticated metrical form, often associated with nobility, underscores Lady Macbeth’s strength, intelligence, and readiness to challenge divine authority, possibly depicting her as a daring character. This notion is further supported when she instructs Macbeth to "Look like the innocent flower; but be the serpent under't." We can deduce that Lady Macbeth is the catalyst. Perhaps Shakespeare's use of euphemistic language in Lady Macbeth’s speech is designed to soften the horror of regicide for Macbeth. Yet, there might be an argument that while she subtly incites Macbeth to murder Duncan, she simultaneously shields herself from any consequences, suggesting that Shakespeare crafted her dialogue to imply that she is more cunning and dominant than Macbeth.

It could be argued that Lady Macbeth's strong persona is just a facade, playing into the theme of appearance versus reality in the play. In Act one, scene 5, she summons the spirits with the command 'come, you spirits,' suggesting she might have some control over the witches—a theory supported by some critics who consider her the fourth witch. However, there's an underlying fear about the consequences of her actions. Her request to the spirits to 'unsex her' for regicide challenges her image as a strong female, implying that as an oppressed woman, she resorts to extreme measures to commit such a heinous act. This is further explored in Act 2, scene 2, when she confesses she could not kill Duncan because he resembled her father. This admission shows her reliance on Macbeth for regicide, indicating that she might not be as bold or strong as initially thought, highlighting her vulnerabilities.

The feedback Tilf gave me:
- The introduction presents a clear thesis about Lady Macbeth's character
and the various interpretations of her strength. The use of terms like
'subvert the gender stereotype' and 'patriarchal society' sets a strong
foundation for the argument.
- The analysis of Lady Macbeth's opening soliloquy is detailed and insightful.
The discussion of the noun 'partner' and its implications is well-explored,
and the reference to Shakespeare's own marriage adds a personal touch to
the analysis.
- The discussion of the contrast between prose and iambic pentameter is
insightful and demonstrates a clear understanding of Shakespeare's
methods. However, the argument about Lady Macbeth's power could be
more explicitly linked to the overall thesis
- The exploration of appearance vs reality and Lady Macbeth's invocation of
spirits is thoughtful. The paragraph effectively considers different
interpretations, but the argument could be more tightly integrated.

Does it seem reliable?

Reply 1

User_09

i would say it is quite accurate, i would have given very similar feedback. id only say maybe consider adding a short conclusion on the end to make it feel more finished and make the examiner more confident in giving you full marks for the question. but other than that i think the feedback is spot on - i used tilf when i was doing my lit exam and i found it very reliable.