Examples Of Masculinity In Macbeth

In society, the presence of toxic masculinity is apparent, regardless of the efforts to reverse it. This idea of masculinity is embedded in society and can be traced back centuries. In Macbeth by William Shakespeare, the idea of toxic masculinity is prevalent in the roles of both female and male characters. Written in a time with extremely traditional societal standards, Macbeth demonstrates viewpoints of women belonging as submissive and quiet housewives and that men must be strong, assertive, and aggressive. With these societal standards of women, it becomes expected for women to be caring, passive, and obedient. This funnels into some of the characters, such as Lady Macbeth, being portrayed in a negative light because they do not conform

In the Elizabethan era, femininity is viewed as having characteristics traditionally associated with women, such as traits such as naivety, kindness, and compassion. Women were expected to be caring housewives with little individuality where they just served as housekeepers and homemakers. Lady Macbeth challenges this because not only does she have individuality, but also because she doesn’t have the submissive traits expected of her. This is expressed through Lady Macbeth’s drive and ambition, shown through her expressions, saying, “I feel now the future in the instant.” (Macbeth 1.5.55-56) She feels her desires strongly and asserts dominance. Although this true intention is masked, Lady Macbeth’s actions are driven by her feminine desires of wanting the best for her family, Macbeth. Even though Lady Macbeth doesn’t have the traits expected of her, she has the most significant trait of being a woman, which is simply wanting the best for her family. Critics such as Ellen Terry “thought it ‘strange’ that Lady Macbeth should be seen ‘as a sort of monster’, claiming that ‘I conceive [her] as a small, slight woman of acute nervous sensibility’, who was perhaps ‘not good, but not much worse than many women you know – me for instance’.” (Gilbert, 2016) While Lady Macbeth May have some negative traits, she is not any worse than many people

Masculinity is “the characteristics that are traditionally thought to be typical of or suitable for men.” (Cambridge Dictionary) In Elizabethan times, masculinity was a positive trait that was sought after in order to have a respectable role in society. However, this was only applicable to men. When women, such as Lady Macbeth, presented these traits, they were seen as power-hungry villains. Lady Macbeth presents herself as a strong, driven, and ambitious woman who is ready to do what it takes to gain power and influence. This is shown when she instructs Macbeth to “Leave all the rest to me.” (1.5.71) as she takes the leadership of a gruesome action from her husband. Lady Macbeth even feels these masculine-presenting traits enough to question the masculinity of others, which is seen when she tells Macbeth that he was acting like a child by saying “the sleeping and the dead are but as pictures; ‘tis the eye of childhood that fears a painted devil.” (2.2.53-55) after he expressed his guilt. Because of her dominant personality, Lady Macbeth wants to have the full knowledge and pride of knowing she has accomplished her goal of obtaining immense power and seems to believe that the way to truly get this power is to do it herself. Lady Macbeth wants the influence of what is happening around her to truly know that her desires are being fulfilled and she does this by