William Shakespeare contributed to the history of literature with many great plays, including Macbeth and Julius Caesar. Macbeth tells the story of an ambitious lord, Macbeth, who becomes corrupted after murdering the previous king and several of his friends. Similarly, in Julius Caesar, the conspirators assassinate Rome's hero, Julius Caesar, due to their fear and jealousy of his rising power. The two stories both feature female characters who advance the plot and/or foreshadow future events. Lady Macbeth, Macbeth's wife, participates in the murder of King Duncan and Portia, Brutus' wife, and Calpurnia, Caesar's wife, due to their concerns for their husbands, both attempt to confront them at their manner. William Shakespeare structures the women in his play very differently from those of his time. There are many differences between Lady Macbeth, Calpurnia, and Portia, but at the same time, there are also many similarities between the three. Lady Macbeth from the beginning of the play seems remarkably similar to Portia in that they are both strong-willed. women ahead of their time unlike Calpurnia. Lady Macbeth wishes to be a man: “Come, ye spirits that occupy yourselves with mortal thoughts, unsex me here, and fill me from head to foot with most terrible cruelty…” (Macbeth 1.5.30-44). Lady Macbeth is very different from the typical woman of the time. She now focuses on the murder of King Duncan. Lady Macbeth's true personality begins to reveal itself through this quote; instead of a kind and loving woman, her character seems vile and demonic. It is clear that she is determined to fulfill Macbeth's prophecy by any means necessary. His willpower in this matter is another reason for his strong...... middle of paper...... only reason was his fear for his safety and well-being. She is described as a very kind and caring person; the complete opposite of Lady Macbeth's ambitious personality. Although they are all great women, Portia and Calpurnia are described as kind and gentle women, while Lady Macbeth is described as male and immoral. Lady Macbeth, Calpurnia, and Portia are all great female characters in Shakespeare's plays. The characters all appear in different plays, in different settings and situations, but they have many similar qualities as well as different ones. Calpurnia, who has a shy and obedient nature, sets her apart from Lady Macbeth and Portia. Lady Macbeth and Portia are very similar in the sense that they are both great women who have lost their sense of reasoning to the point of committing suicide. They also represent a very important theme throughout society.