Shakespeare/SHAKESPEARE

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Expert: Clare Washbrook - 1/28/2009


Question
WAS SHAKESPEARE TRYING TO PROVE APOINT BY MAKING LADY MACBETH MAD IN THE PLAY MACBETH?

Answer
Catherine,

She wasn't mad all the way through.  She was driven insane by the events of the play.  

I don't think "making a point" is really an appropriate description.  The insanity was an important aspect of the plot and the character.  There are reasons for it and consequences of it.  He was not trying to say anything about insanity or even a link between murder and insanity, he was just showing how he envisaged these characters reacting to what they had done and the stress of dealing with the consequences, suspicions and paranoia that followed.

CL Washbrook

Shakespeare

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Clare Washbrook

Expertise

I can answer questions related to the texts, sonnets or to Shakespeare's life. I can help with historical context and language difficulties. I am a secondary school English and Drama teacher in England and can therefore help current students with the texts which they are studying. DO NOT ASK ME WHERE HE GOT HIS IDEAS FROM! I know that it is a dreadful question to be posed as homework but I have recieved it dozens of times. The answer can be found in past questions.

Experience

I fell in love with Shakespeare at a young age and continue to be enthralled. I have studied Shakespeare to undergraduate level and teach Shakespeare to A-level (age 18). I have performed three of his plays. As an amateur etymologist I am familiar with many misconceptions about the meanings, intent and usage of words in the plays which other people are often unaware of. Educated to post-graduate level. Published and performance poet. Former Journalist, former Editor, occassional Private Tutor. Included in OED as the first writer to use a particular word.

Organizations
The Poetry Society

Publications
The Radio Times, Books by Dogma, "SO" Magazine, NUS publications, Other Poetry, OED, Publications by PTS others

Education/Credentials
BA (HONS) Literature (Theatre minor), MA (current accreditation)

Awards and Honors
Bronze Award - International Poetry Awards 2004

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