Throughout history, men and women have greatly contributed to what it means to be a woman and what it means to be a man. During Shakespeare’s time, men were considered to have all the power while women stood by their side. The word feminine relates to nurturing, fragile and indecisive qualities while masculine associates with courage, knowledge as well as strength. In comparison, these words are opposites of one another or dichotomies. In Macbeth, Shakespeare uses the dichotomy of femininity vs masculinity to invert character roles which contributes to the conflict of the play. Primarily, Shakespeare uses the dichotomy of feminine vs masculine to create a masculine identity for the “Weird Sisters” since they are a big part of the conflict
…show more content…
Lady Macbeth was in control when it came to her marriage which was very unlikely for a female in the 17th century. For example, when Lady Macbeth received her husband’s letter informing her about the prophecy and his new title, she responded “Glamis thou art, and Cawdor, and shalt be/ What thou art promised. Yet do I fear thy nature;/ It is too full o'the milk of human kindness/ . . . That I may pour my spirits in thine ear/ And chastise with the valor of my tongue" (Shakespeare 1.5.15-17, 26-27). Lady Macbeth believes her husband can live up to this prophesy but she is worried his morals will stop him from reaching his full potential. She takes control of their relationship since his nature is too kind. Instead of letting him carry on, she comes up with a plan and is going to persuade Macbeth to follow her. These actions portray Lady Macbeth in the place of authority which is considered a masculine trait. Similarly, after realizing she cannot carry out her plan of killing Duncan herself, Lady Macbeth expresses her desire to become a man and be filled up with masculine characteristics. For example, in act 1 scene 5 she explains, "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!" (Shakespeare 1.5.38-41). Lady Macbeth wants nothing but to lose all of her
Lady Macbeth was in control when it came to her marriage which was very unlikely for a female in the 17th century. For example, when Lady Macbeth received her husband’s letter informing her about the prophecy and his new title, she responded “Glamis thou art, and Cawdor, and shalt be/ What thou art promised. Yet do I fear thy nature;/ It is too full o'the milk of human kindness/ . . . That I may pour my spirits in thine ear/ And chastise with the valor of my tongue" (Shakespeare 1.5.15-17, 26-27). Lady Macbeth believes her husband can live up to this prophesy but she is worried his morals will stop him from reaching his full potential. She takes control of their relationship since his nature is too kind. Instead of letting him carry on, she comes up with a plan and is going to persuade Macbeth to follow her. These actions portray Lady Macbeth in the place of authority which is considered a masculine trait. Similarly, after realizing she cannot carry out her plan of killing Duncan herself, Lady Macbeth expresses her desire to become a man and be filled up with masculine characteristics. For example, in act 1 scene 5 she explains, "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!" (Shakespeare 1.5.38-41). Lady Macbeth wants nothing but to lose all of her