How was the character of Lady MacBeth viewed in Shakespeare's own day?

by lngwstksgk

With her naked ambition and desire to be a man ("Come, you spirits That tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here, And fill me from the crown to the toe top-full Of direst cruelty.") in order to commit murder, was she fulfilling known role of "witch" or malignant femininity? How was such a shocking speech as the one from which I quote viewed from within the larger framework of society?

precursormar

It may also be worthwhile for you to post this in /r/AskLiteraryStudies.

EdgarAetheling

Isn’t James I one of the Kings that the witches refer to the second time Macbeth meets them? Always thought that was a risky inclusion.