NOTE: Free essay sample provided on this page should be used for references or sample purposes only. The sample essay is available to anyone, so any direct quoting without mentioning the source will be considered plagiarism by schools, colleges and universities that use plagiarism detection software. To get a completely brand-new, plagiarism-free essay, please use our essay writing service.
One click instant price quote
... there is questioning of gender attributes and roles, there is often a level of violence that follows soon after. When Macduff receives word that his wife and young son have been slain, he begins to grieve openly. Malcolm, who had recently made an alliance with Macduff, offhandedly comments that Macduff should handle the situation in a manly way. This is a cynical attack on his character, and questions of his masculinity.
Macduff explains to Malcolm that he feels deep sorrow for the death of his family, and though he is a man, feels the pain and deals with it accordingly. By the end of the play, Malcolm has learned this lesson. He admonishes Siward for not grieving more for the death of his son, explaining, Hes worth more sorrow. (Shakespeare, V, viii, 50) Thusly, Malcolm has learned the important lesson of the sentient nature of true masculinity. Characters in Macbeth are often the opposite of their gender stereotypes. In other words, characters of a one gender often act in ways, which are expected of the other gender.
This leads to some of literatures strongest female characters. It can be argued that these female characters entice the male characters into violence and chaos, making Macbeth a misogynistic play. This is very evident in the character of Lady Macbeth, who, as a woman, is expected to be kind, compassionate and non-aggressive. She is the antithesis of these expectations. She is aggressive and rude, often portrayed as mocking and manipulating her husband.
She is often rude to her servants and others in the castle. Also, as a woman, she is expected to have no ambition to achieve power. Whether it is societal expectation or a believed weakness, Lady Macbeth resorts to manipulation and mockery to achieve her goals instead of violence. Lady Macbeth is the embodiment of unchecked ambition; announcing in Act I that she would do whatever she must in order to have her husband seize the throne, and the titles, power, and wealth that comes with it. She sets in motion a ferocious killing spree by pushing Macbeth into killing King Duncan. Lady Macbeth manipulates and triggers in her husband a spark that leads to the murder of Banquo, Young Siward as well as Lady Macduff and her child.
Instead of being a kind, accepting hostess (as women of the time were expected to be), Lady Macbeth took advantage of her guests. She and her husband murder King Duncan in their own home, taking full advantage of his vulnerability while sleeping. The three witch sisters prove to be the strongest characters (female or male) of the play. Their outward appearances, according to Banquo, are rather manly. They have beards but are wearing dresses, a fact that adds to the oddness of their characters. Their rhymed speech and constant chanting make them the epitome of the unusual.
The three witches are the puppeteers of the play; playing Macbeth and the other characters as if they were mere puppets. They cause mischief with their supernatural powers, and seem to understand the individual weaknesses of the other characters in the play. This is especially true for Macbeth. The three sisters are by far the most dangerous and malevolent characters in the play, exceeding these attributes even in Macbeth himself. Unlike the stereotypical female, the witches are incredibly powerful and horribly wicked. The prophecies of the witch sisters are destructive in nature.
When they present the prophecy that Macbeth will be king, they set in motion a chain of events that cause chaos. It can be assumed that without the prophecy, Macbeth would not have had the ambition, or the desire to become king. Their self-fulfilling prophecies provide only death to those who hear them, and for several who do not. It is fairly certain they harbor only malicious intentions for those they prophesy for and about.
The deity that ultimately comes to their aid is Hecate, the goddess of witchcraft. In contrast to Lady Macbeth and her castle of Inverness, Shakespeare gives the audience a momentary glimpse of the house of Macduff. Lady Macduff is a representation of all those righteous people slaughtered by Macbeth in his madness and insatiable thirst for power. After the sudden escape made by her husband, Lady Macduff feels betrayed. He gives her little or no explanation for his absence, leaving her completely alone to raise her son. Lady Macduff is a strong-willed woman, and she lies to her son, saying that his father is a traitor and is dead.
Typically, in the time period represented, a woman would follow the judgment made by her husband (as Ross advised Lady Macduff to do) and not question his decisions or authority. The character of Banquo can be seen as a contrast to Macbeth. Although he is not effeminate, Banquo is presented with the same prophecies and information as Macbeth, but takes different steps of action. Banquo could have also killed the king to let his son, Fleance, become king. In Act I, Banquo is excited to learn what the witches know of his destiny.
He has this desire to know the future in common with Macbeth, and knowing his future is also his downfall, leading to the tragic events that happen later. Also, like Macbeth, Banquo shows that perhaps he should act on the ambition he too has. Unlike Macbeth, however, he does not act on this ambition, leaving his future out of his own hands. By not acting on such ambition, it could be said that he was not capable of cruel acts; thusly taking the feminine way and not acting on the ambition he no doubt feels. Also, Banquo has a good, nurturing relationship with his son, Fleance.
This was uncommon in the time period. In conclusion, the characters in Macbeth are often dwelling on the idea of gender roles and attributes. Some are confined by their gender; while others are able to break out of their gender stereotypes to achieve their goals. Furthermore, some characters in Macbeth use some of the elements of gender attributes and roles to manipulate others into doing their ultimate bidding.
Free research essays on topics related to: lady macduff, gender stereotypes, lady macbeth, characters in the play, son fleance
Research essay sample on Gender Roles And Macbeth
