Humanizing the Female Villain: Gender Dynamics and Moral Complexity in Lady Macbeth

Lady Macbeth, one of Shakespeare’s most infamous characters, has captivated audiences for centuries with her ambition, moral ambiguity, and tragic downfall. This thesis examines the transformation of Lady Macbeth from a Renaissance villain to a contemporary protagonist, focusing on the shifting dynamics of gender, morality, and power. Through a comparative analysis of Shakespeare’s Macbeth and Ava Reid’s 2024 novel Lady Macbeth, this research explores how historical and cultural contexts influence portrayals of female ambition and villainy. Through feminist literary criticism and adaptation theory, the research reveals how Lady Macbeth’s character is defined by the gender norms and moral expectations of the Renaissance, contrasting this with Reid’s modern reimagining, which humanizes her and presents her as a more complex figure shaped by societal pressures and personal struggle. This thesis highlights the evolution of Lady Macbeth’s image from a symbol of patriarchal villainy to a more nuanced, contemporary heroine. By juxtaposing these two portrayals, the study sheds light on how views of female power, guilt, and ambition have changed over time, contributing to ongoing conversations in Shakespearean studies, adaptation theory, and feminist scholarship.