The Status of Women in Macbeth and Things Fall Apart: A Comparative Analysis

Abstract

The research aims to know the status of women in William Shakespeare’s play Macbeth and Chinua Achebe’s novel Things Fall Apart. It also compares and contrasts between women in both works to pinpoint the differences between them. Furthermore, the research investigates the roles of children, servants and witches. The first chapter contains a comparison between women in both works. It found that women in Macbeth are strong and have a strong influence on men’s personality and behaviour.

The second chapter speaks about the role and influence of witches in both works. In Macbeth, magic is used for evil purposes: deception and leading men astray from the moral path. However, in Things Fall Apart, it is used as a force for good: as medicine to cure illness, to protect the clan from evil spirits and mortal enemies and to bring people to the clan’s market, thus growing their economy.