Roles of women in Macbeth In William Shakespeare's tragedy Macbeth there is only one significant woman, the dominant figure of Lady Macbeth, on whom falls the responsibility for the main action of the drama: the woman murders Duncan. We will mainly study its role in this essay. Clark and Wright in their Introduction to The Complete Works of William Shakespeare contradict the impression that the female protagonist is all strength: Lady Macbeth is of a finer and more delicate nature. Having fixed her sights on the end - her husband's attainment of Duncan's crown - she accepts the inevitable means; he steels himself for terrible night work with artificial stimulants; however he cannot strike the sleeping king who resembles his father. Having supported the weaker husband, his strength fails; and in her sleep, when her will cannot control her thoughts, she is pitifully afflicted by the memory of a bloodstain on her little hand. (792)In "Macbeth as an Imitation of Action" Francis Fergusson enlightens the reader regarding the fears that weaken Lady Macbeth:I need not remind you of the great scenes preceding the murder, in which Macbeth and his Lady unite to their desperate effort. If you reflect on these scenes, you will notice that the Macbeths understand the action that begins here as a competition and a stunt, against reason and against nature. Lady Macbeth fears her husband's human nature, as well as her own feminine nature, and therefore fears the light of reason and the world of common daylight. (108) In “Memoranda: Observations on the Character of Lady Macbeth,” Sarah Siddons comments on how the female protagonist role is not typical in regards to attitude: [Macbeth] announces the King's approach; and she, however insensible she may seem to all the dangers he has met with in battle, and to all the happiness of his safe return to her,—for she offers not a kind word of greeting or congratulation,—is so entirely swallowed up by the horrible plan, which was probably suggested to her by his letters, so much so that she forgot both one and the other. It is indeed remarkable that Macbeth is frequent in expressions of tenderness towards his wife, while she never betrays a single symptom of affection towards him, till, in the fiery furnace of affliction, his iron heart melts to softness..