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Macbeth Women Essay

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In Shakespeare's tragedy Macbeth, women drive the play forward, pushing Macbeth to make decisions, act rashly, and ultimately go insane. From the beginning, supernatural beings named “The Three Witches” tell prophecies that propel the brave Scottish general Macbeth into thoughts of obtaining the crown, eventually leading to Lady Macbeth, Macbeth's wife and a strong and more stereotypically “masculine” female character to coerce Macbeth into killing King Duncan to become the next King. Following the first murder, more ensue, which Lady Macbeth convinces Macbeth not to confess to and in the end, the guilt drives them both to insanity. This essay argues that women play a vital role in this play, and without them, little would happen. Lady Macbeth …show more content…

Women represent powerful figures in Macbeth, something you don’t typically see. One of the first ways in which women impact the play and influence gender roles is through the Three Witches. In Macbeth, the play begins by introducing the Witches, who later meet Macbeth and Banquo, a general in the army. Banquo describes the Witches as “So withered and so wild in their attire, / That look not like th’ inhabitants o’ th’ earth / And yet are on ‘t” (I.iii.41-43) and later, after closer inspection of the Witches, states “You should be women, / And yet your beards forbid me to interpret / That …show more content…

She challenges the ideals of typical femininity by exhibiting typically “masculine” traits such as assertiveness, ambition, and ruthlessness, often being portrayed as one who desires power and is willing to manipulate those around her. Lady Macbeth constantly belittles Macbeth, questioning his masculinity and psychologically manipulating him to the point of making him question himself and his feelings. Shakespeare further illustrates this idea when Macbeth begins to have second thoughts on murdering King Duncan. Lady Macbeth says: Was the hope drunk wherein you dressed yourself? Has it slept since? And wakes it now, to look so green and pale at what it did so freely? From this time I account thy love. Art thou afeard To be the same in thine own act and valor As thou art in desire? Wouldst thou have that Which thou esteem’st the ornament of life And live a coward in thine own esteem, Letting “I dare not” wait upon “I would,” (I.vii.39-48) When Lady Macbeth directly questions Macbeths masculinity through these lines, it manipulates him to believe he is failing in his societal expectations as a man- he isn’t acting brave or ambitious, but rather weak, afraid, and unambitious. Lady Macbeth furthers her belittling by telling Macbeth: I have given suck, and know how tender ‘tis to love the babe that milks me. I would, while it was smiling in my face, Have plucked my nipple from his boneless gums And

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Gender roles have impacted the lives of men and women for centuries. In William Shakespeare’s Macbeth, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth attempt to defy societal expectations, but eventually they both succumb to the traditional gender roles assigned to them. The witches are the only ones who never conform to societal standards and are free to act without consequences. Although Shakespeare initially questions the traditional gender roles of his time, it is evident that only the witches, who are gender neutral, are truly free to ignore societal expectations, as Macbeth and Lady Macbeth's attempt to do so leads to their ultimate demise.

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