The Views of WomenShakespeare, one of the most famous playwrights in history, wrote Macbeth in 1606. Many women were not allowed to act in plays during this period; however, Shakespeare asked very few women to play roles in his play (Shakespeare: Sample). Shakespeare viewed his women as strong-willed individuals (“Macbeth.” 227) when in reality they often remained unrecognized (Women in Anglo). The character, Lady Macbeth, was a fearsome and ambitious woman. Lady Macbeth often wished to "de-sex herself" to carry out the murder of King Duncan herself, because her husband showed no manly characteristics to do so. However, women in the Anglo-Saxon period were quite different from how Shakespeare viewed his women in his time. Women in the Anglo-Saxon period had many different roles. Much of this depended on their marital status. Single women were treated and acted very differently than a married woman. A single woman had much more freedom, allowing her to go about her day without a husband by her side. “She was considered ‘on par’ with men.” They were able to make their own decisions about making a will, buying and owning land, or being sued. A woman often wanted to be single as far as her rights were concerned (Anglo-Saxon marriages). However, most Anglo-Saxon women were married. “Marriage was of great importance to women, especially for their status and economic security. » It was very common for a woman to have a marriage arranged by her father (Women in Anglo). Wives and husbands were relied upon to work together and make the most of every situation, no matter the circumstances. "Basically there had to be ample reasonable proof that a woman worked like her husband...... middle of paper ... the absolute power the state would have in acting would have if she was not accountable to no one (The Stage and the State). He viewed his wives as confident people. This did not fit the common role of a woman during her life. Men had all the power in a marriage. While most Anglo-Saxon women were very controlled by their husbands, one would wish to be single. They were allowed to go about their day alone without being told what to do. However, during the Viking Age, women gained their freedom. Although they were still married, their husbands were not as controlling and had the flexibility to attend different activities if they wanted. On the other hand, Shakespeare did not view his women this way. His women were very cold-hearted women who had absolute power and control. Women in this era were completely different from how Shakespeare viewed his women..