Gender Roles In Lady Macbeth

In today's society women who are ‘strong,’ ‘independent,’ and ‘dominant’ are exactly what feminist want. In the play of Macbeth it is presented that when women are given dauntless characteristics it is negative for society. Lady Macbeth is a powerful, dominant female character that is well ahead of her time. Although feminist get excited when seeing a dominant female character like her, they are disappointed as her dominance is portrayed negatively. Her behaviour is ultimately what leads to the destruction of her and Macbeth. As well how her character is portrayed discourages women living in that era to step out of their genders’ role. In the Elizabethan hierarchy men are placed above women, but throughout the text Macbeth is controlled and manipulated by Lady Macbeth. Shakespeare expresses how the order must be kept when it is evident that the reason chaos ensues is because a woman is in power. Macbeth is easily controlled as his wife verbally bullies him,“ was the hope drunk made you so determined before? Has it been sleeping since?” (I.Vii.36). This quote shows how Lady Macbeth is able to get into her

Feminism wants both men and women to be treated and seen equally. Although Lady Macbeth is respected by the man in her life by contradicting the set ‘norms’ put in place, she only achieves this by degrading and humiliating him. She states things such as, “When you durst do it, then you were a man.“ (I.Vii.49). Lady Macbeth is stripping Macbeth from his masculinity when speaking to him like this. She is also being very hypocritical as she is contradicting her progressiveness, she is able to step out of these stereotypes but still holds her husband to them. She uses these social standards to control her husband and only to her advantage not caring if she’s negatively affecting him. Although she is bold, she is no better than the persons around her as she is just as equally