Macbeth Gender Roles Essay

Literature has the transformative power of allowing our experiences and knowledge outside of a particular text to shape the way we interpret and engage with it. This is because literature is not created in a vacuum, but rather reflects the cultural and historical context in which it was created, which allows readers to gain a deeper appreciation for the themes and messages conveyed in the text. Macbeth is a play by William Shakespeare that tells the story of a Scottish general, Macbeth, who receives a prophecy that he will become king, leading him and his wife, Lady Macbeth, to commit murder to achieve their ambitions. Nearly 400 years later, The Turning, a collection of short stories by author Tim Winton that explores the lives of ordinary

Having read Macbeth has provided me with a greater awareness of the idea of how gender influences expectations in The Turning. Expectations from various genders are a defining characteristic that distinguishes certain genders from others.. Macbeth has deepened my understanding of the underlying themes of how gender influences expectations in The Turning, which would not have been apparent at first. Macbeth only briefly introduces the character of Lady Macduff, yet her character is vital in comprehending the role of gender in the expectations for an individual. After discovering that her husband, Macduff, has fled the country, Lady Macduff tells Ross in distress that, “[Macduff] wants the natural touch... [he is filled with] fear, and nothing is love.” In this context, to ‘want the natural touch’, means to lack feeling for his family. Lady Macduff begins by speaking in blank verse to express her emotion, conveying to the reader that she is loyal, protective of her family, and misses her husband. This is why Macduff fleeing the country has upset her so much, and highlights to the reader that

Sexism has been prevalent in society even after it was recognised as an issue in the past. Despite efforts to address this issue, it continues to affect people's lives and limit opportunities for certain demographics, and this is reflected in literary works. These concepts are intertwined throughout The Turning, and my understanding of them is improved when I make a connection to Macbeth. In Macbeth, Lady Macbeth and Macbeth share a complicated relationship. At first, the reader sees Macbeth seeking validation from his wife, but then a shift is seen. Macbeth is portrayed as not telling Lady Macbeth about his part in the murders of various other characters, after the initial plot to kill Duncan. This indicates the start of the steady decline of Lady Macbeth's importance in the plot. Lady Macbeth, while sleepwalking, said, “The thane of Fife had a wife. Where is she now?,” indicating to the reader that Lady Macbeth feels remorse now, although previously she was the one who convinced Macbeth to kill Duncan. This dialogue also reflects the shift from subverting gender roles to now reflecting them. The narrative structure and dialogue are indicative of the fact that Lady Macbeth was merely used as a symbol of the initial confidence that Macbeth lacked and sought from his wife. This pushes the idea that women are regarded as inferior to men and seen as tools for