Gender, and the union of masculinity and power, is a major theme in Shakespeare’s Macbeth. Many characters of this tragedy that are powerful are also associated with masculinity. Women have their place in urging a man to power, hence Lady Macbeth driving Macbeth to kill Duncan, although females of medieval times are weak and unable to handle power. Many cases throughout the play show how masculinity is a form of power in this time period and how gender commands a person’s strength. The first instance in which gender and power interact is during the first act, when Lady Macbeth receives a letter from her partner, Macbeth. This letter states that three witches informed him of his recent promotion to Thane of Cawdor and have referred to him as, “’Hail, / King that shalt be’” (Shakespeare 1.5.9-10). The moniker the witches bestow on Macbeth encourage him to plan King Duncan’s death, and thereby his ascension to the throne. However, Macbeth reasons that the more pragmatic approach is to wait until fate crowns him. In contrast, Lady Macbeth latches on …show more content…
Macbeth soon becomes aware of these suspicions, and knows something needs to be done. In order to silence Banquo, Macbeth summons two murderers to “deal” with him. Macbeth incites the two men to violence with accusations that Banquo is the cause of any misfortune that has befallen the murderers. Macbeth then says “Ay, in the catalogue you go for men, / As hounds and greyhounds, mongrels, spaniels, / curs, / Shoughs, water-rugs, and demi-wolves are clept / All by the name of dogs” (Shakespeare 3.1.103-107). Thus Macbeth ensures the men fulfill their malicious deed. Through this quote, Macbeth is comparing the generalization that all dogs, bad or good, are considered dogs, just as all men are considered