Shakespeare's tragedy “Macbeth” was written in the 17th century, and is a mirror image of the themes and beliefs of Elizabethan times. The play was written as a tribute to England's King James I of Scotland, who was a supporter of Shakespeare. The historical background of the time period in which “Macbeth” was written does a good job of setting the scene; “Macbeth” is set in Scotland and tells the story of a general (Macbeth) who receives a prophecy from three witches proclaiming he will become King of Scotland. Macbeth is then faced with inner conflict but is eventually persuaded by his wife to kill Duncan, and take the throne for himself.
Back in the historical time period which “Macbeth” took place, if women were suspected to be witches, they were sought out and burned or hanged to death, and usually for doing nothing out of the ordinary. But from the way “Macbeth” was written, it made it seem like witches were accepted and were trusted, like it was common for people to encounter witches, which is why it was normal for Macbeth to believe the witches’ foreshadowing prophecy.
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This is ironic, because the cultural and historical influence of the time strongly supported gender roles. Usually, women were expected to be polite, nurturing, and passive. Meanwhile, men were expected to be strong, aggressive and in charge. In the relationship between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth, he is passive and she is the aggressive one. “Come to my woman’s breasts, and take my milk for gall, you murdering ministers, wherever in your sightless substances you wait on nature’s mischief”. Here, we can see that Lady Macbeth is asking for manliness to be instilled in her breast instead of a woman’s nurturing milk. There is a clear role reversal shown in “Macbeth” and Lady Macbeth is portrayed as masculine, while Macbeth is more feminine than his