Mary, Eve, and Lilith in Shakespeares King Lear,...

Mary, Eve, and Lilith in King Lear, Othello, and Macbeth Feminist criticism often explores the symbolic or archetypal use of the Biblical figures of Mary and Eve in literary criticism. One figure which seems appropriate to such discussions, but so far neglected it seems, is the figure of Lilith. Indeed, in the case of Shakespearean criticism, Lilith seems an appropriate model at times for such characters as Goneril, Regan, Lady Macbeth, and so forth. Accordingly, it is my intention to explore this lost archetype and relate it to three of Shakespeares tragedies: King Lear, Othello, and Macbeth. To begin, Lilith is an enigma in many circles, with varying tales and legends ascribed to her. In certain aspects of Jewish†¦show more content†¦from B. Er. 18b Talmud) Lilith, a female demon of the night, has a human likeness, but she also has wings (Direct Biblical; qtd. from B. Nido 24b Talmud). Rabbi Hanina said: One may not sleep alone in a house, for whoever sleeps alone in a house is seized by Lilith (Direct Biblical; qtd. from B. Shab. 151b Talmud). It would seem that in a Talmudic sense Lilith was associated with lust and the impurity associated with it, giving birth to evils and ills. The majority of Hebrew sources reflect this dark image of Lilith. However, some are markedly different. The story of Lilith as told in the Alphabet of Ben Sira 23A-B seems to paint a more sympathetic picture. According to the story, God created Lilith to accompany Adam, who was lonely. However, unlike Eve who was formed from his rib, Lilith was formed from the earth. The two, it is said, quarrelled it seemed immediately. She said, I will not lie below you. He said, I will not lie below you, but above you. For you are fit to be below me and I above you. She responded, We are both equal because we both come from the earth. Neither listened to the other. When Lilith realized what was happening, she pronounced the Ineffable Name of G-D and flew into the air. It would seem that is this narrative, Liliths heart was