Examples Of Patriarchy In Macbeth

Literature aids in the understanding of ideas, beliefs and ideologies from a context different to our own. William Shakespeare’s dramatic tragedy, Macbeth, published in 1606, follows the tale of a once noble man named Macbeth, who, influenced by his hamartia, became the catalyst for disrupting the natural balance of the universe. Macbeth is a text which relates to the contextual beliefs and ideologies of the Early Modern Period and whilst the text endorses those beliefs it also challenges the traditional notions of patriarchy. The text reinforces the Early Modern England beliefs of; the Great Chain of Being through symbolism of nature out of order; the Divine Right, shown through dialogue, imagery and symbolism; and witchcraft which is emphasised …show more content…
The symbolic usage of the stage direction [Thunder and Lightning] represents and foreshadows the chaos that is to follow. The directions of a storm occurring on a desert heath enforces the idea that there is a disruption in the chain of being and that supernatural forces have the entered the realm and are toying with the natural order of the universe. Following the murder of King Duncan, two minor character congress and discuss what happened in the previous scene. These characters are Ross and Old Man who describe the “A falcon, towering in her pride of place, was by a mousing owl hawk’d at and kill’d” The “falcon, towering in her pride of place” is a reference to King Duncan, who was a figure of power at the highest position a human could reach, king. The “mousing owl” is emblematic of the protagonist, Macbeth, who, since portrayed as an owl, literally and symbolically brings which is symbolic as through out the play Macbeth is referred to an owl, which is the bird symbolic of bringing bad omens. The minor character of the Old Man’s dialogue perfectly describes Macbeth’s thirst for power as the mousing owl takes down the mighty falcon and brings a chaotic order. Additionally, whilst recounting the situation, the Old Man informs Ross of the current state of the natural order by describing how “Duncan’s horses … beauteous and swift, minions of their race, turn’d wild in nature, broke their stalls, flung out, …show more content…
The text utilises the dramatic and language conventions of dialogue, imagery and symbolism through the actions of differing characters such as King Duncan, Lennox and MacDuff. The reference to the chain of being is shown through Duncan’s colloquy with is son and future heir to Scotland, Malcolm. Duncan expresses how ”Malcolm, whom we name hereafter the Prince of Cumberland; which honour must not unaccompanied invest him only, but sings of nobleness, like stars, shall shine on all deservers.” This passage supports the contextual belief of Divine Right as Duncan is God’s true appointed king and there after his sons should be king also. Naming Malcolm as successor endorses the natural order. In Macbeth, all manner of unnatural things happen on the night King Duncan is murdered. Lennox described some of them: “chimneys were blowns down; … i’ the air; strange screams of death, and prophesying with accents terrible of dire combustion and confused events” Supports the great chain of being as the murder of the King has caused Scotland to become a state of unnatural chaos. Confirms that we should not disrupt God’s plan for order. The fact that “chimenys were blown down” suggest that the murder of Duncan was so powerful on the great chain of being that a storm was able to blow away and destroy the strongest part of a house, the