Gender Roles In Macbeth

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William Shakespeare’s writing often reflects the stereotypes of men and women’s various roles and authorities in society. As well as they interpret the authentic challenges those representations face. Shakespeare utilizes gender roles in the story of Macbeth to capture the attention of true feminist situations. He does this solely through Macbeth’s complicated and rather ambitious wife, Lady Macbeth. Lady Macbeth is one of Shakespeare’s most famous and terrifying female characters. She exemplifies the certainty that women are as capable of prime evil as men are. The story begins with three witches prophesizing Macbeth from thane of Glamis to thane of Cawdor. Macbeth is given the noble title for his brave and powerful soul but this prophecy leads Macbeth to crave the more worthy crown as thane of Cawdor. His wife, Lady Macbeth lusts for the success as much as Macbeth and is willing to push her husband to his limits in malevolent ways. …show more content…

Lady Macbeth realizes that Macbeth is ambitious and worthy of king but fears he is too “th’ milk of human kindness” to take the essential steps to make himself king. (1.5.15) She then exclaims that she must take on her masculine characteristics to murder the current king Duncan. She convinces Macbeth to continue with the scathing plan of murder when they receive the perfect opportunity having King Duncan as a guest in their own home. Lady Macbeth’s words “Come, you spirits/ That tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here, / And fill me from the crown to the toe top-full/ Of direst cruelty!” (1.5.38–41) This quote portrays the gender role consequence she faces with the fact that she is willing to do the murderous deeds herself, which require her change from her nurturing body to

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