The solutions to the tragedies of Hamlet and Macbeth
I just finished reading Hamlet and can't help noticing how passive Ophelia and Getrude are in comparison to other female Shakespeare characters (I think Shakespeare is making a point about patriarchy here, but anyway).
In particular, I couldn't help contrasting them to Lady Macbeth.
Switching Lady Macbeth with either Ophelia/Getrude would have averted both tragedies.
Lady Macbeth was the one who bullied Macbeth into taking action when he doubted (see her 'bash my baby's brains speech'). So, if she's gone, this is what happens in Inverness:
Macbeth: I really don't think I should kill Duncan. He's my king, and my relative and he has rewarded m lately. Besides, he is a good man.
Ophelia/Gertrude: You are absolutely right and I support you 100%. I can't believe I married such a clever man.
Macbeth: Then, it's settled. I will never murder Duncan!
Hamlet: I don't know if I should kill my Uncle. I mean--
Lady Macbeth: What kind of a son are you that abandons the needs of his father? His spirit tasked you with this righteous act and you dare turn your back on it? You pathetic, measly coward! If I were given such a task, I would execute it and rejoice in the knowledge that I have avenged by poor, tormented father.
Lady Macbeth: What 'but'? Are you a man? Then you must act as a man! When Claudius is partying, I will make sure that his wine is particularly strong. Then, you will sneak in and stab him when he and his guards are all in a drunken sleep. If we're clever, we can make it look like a suicide, or that his guards stabbed him.
