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Masculinity In Macbeth

640 Words3 Pages

William Shakespeare tells the tragic story of how Macbeth, once a loyal soldier was corrupted by power. “Foul is fair, and fair is foul,” becomes a common theme throughout the play, as appearances continue to deceive. Shakespeare supported the common theme of appearances being misleading by portraying masculinity and femininity in non uniform ways. Throughout Shakespeare's Macbeth he insightfully illustrates the motif of masculinity; as he uniquely defies the stereotypes of gender, and mixes up common ideas portrayed with a man or woman. Lady Macbeth is the focus of much of the exploration of gender roles in the play. As Lady Macbeth propels her husband toward committing Duncan's murder, she indicates that she must take on masculine characteristics. In Act I, Scene 5, “Come, you spirits that …show more content…

On Banquo's first encounter with the witches he questions their sex because of their “foul” appearance.“ You should be women, And yet your beards forbid me to interpret That you are so,”(Act 1, Scene 3). They are a clear authority figure in Macbeth's life, by informing him by his fate. The Witches prophecies spark Macbeth’s ambitions and then encourage his violent behavior. In this way, the witches dominate, manipulate and control the actions of a Macbeth. This relationship of women having complete control over a man, illustrates very clearly how Shakespeare defies the gender roles. Secondly, this next quote shows how violent the witches are “I'll drain him dry as hay. Sleep shall neither night nor day hang upon his penthouse lid. He shall live a man forbid. Weary sev'n nights, nine times nine, Shall he dwindle, peak, and pine. ”(Act 1, Scene 3). Because a sailor's wife denied one of the Witches some chestnuts, they sought out to kill her husband. The Witches actions make them out to be violent, evil, man like, wicked creatures; they simply defy the natural feminine

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