Macbeth as a Woman Ahead of Her Time During the Elizabethan era, a woman had no say in the relationship with her husband, but Shakespeare's Macbeth changes this accepted theory. Lady Macbeth is a woman ahead of her time; she is caught between the ambitious, powerful woman of today and a fragile, helpless creature of the Elizabethan era. At the beginning of this tragedy, she is violent, overly ambitious, without a conscience, and willing to do anything to get what she wants. As Macbeth becomes less dependent on his wife, Lady Macbeth loses control of her husband, but more importantly of herself. She is so caught up in the greedy world Shakespeare created that she fails to consider the consequences of her actions more realistically. Lady Macbeth lives as if she were a woman ahead of her time, but dies as if she were from the "golden age of drama". Initially, Lady Macbeth is presented as a domineering, controlling, and heartless wife with ambitions of obtaining kingship for her husband. These words are characteristic of today's woman. She does not let her husband manage her life, but instead a modern woman seeks the best for both herself and her husband. This weak, insecure and unstable condition of Lady Macbeth, which is revealed only towards the end of the play, shows the characteristics of a woman of the Elizabethan era. However, the audience begins to see hints of this hidden nature in the way Macbeth addresses her. The first time Lady Macbeth appears on stage, she is reading Macbeth's letter, which shows her desire to become Queen of Scots. Lady Macbeth recites: “I have seen fit to set you free, my dear companion in greatness; so that you do not lose due reason for joy, ignoring what greatness is promised you” (I.5.10-13). This part of her husband's letter shows that she has trained him to report important events that happen while he is away. At this time he decides that quick action will be the basis of his reasoning and planning. His sudden orders will affect Macbeth so profoundly that his character will change forever. Lady Macbeth intentionally tries to ignore the consequences and focuses on securing Macbeth's future as King of Scotland. She sees the quickest route as one that may lack rationality, but shortens the path to the throne.