Macbeth Through The Feminist Lens
Throughout Macbeth, gender roles are displayed in various ways. These roles affect who has control, and shows the fear of men when women are not submissive. The mixing of gender roles is portrayed by Lady Macbeth, and the Witches. Because Lady macbeth and the witches do not fit into traditional gender roles, they have more power than other women, and they cause discomfort for the men in the play. Viewing Macbeth through the feminist lens demonstrates men’s fear of changes in social power dynamics.
The French word “feminisme” was coined by Charles Fourier. It was first used in English in the 1880’s to advocate for women’s rights. In literature, the feminist lens tries to compensate for the lack of female perspective and reflect on patriarchal social forces. Both in literature and today’s society, the lens uses many subjects to back up its views such as history, politics, and philosophy. In Macbeth, the feminist lens draws primarily on history to interpret the meaning of the story. …show more content…
She takes the power of masculinity when she say:“Come, you spirits/ That tend on mortal thoughts,/ unsex me here,/And fill me from the crown to the toe top-full... /Come to my woman's breasts,/And take my milk for gall, you murd'ring ministers,/Wherever in your sightless substances/you wait on nature's mischief" (1.5.47-57). Lady Macbeth gains her power from being masculine, and from her husband being emasculated. Taking advantage of this, she breaks out of traditional gender roles as she encourages her masculinization, and the emasculation of her husband. She is seen as monstrous by the men because of her lack of femininity, and because she does not behave in the way it is believed women
Throughout Macbeth, gender roles are displayed in various ways. These roles affect who has control, and shows the fear of men when women are not submissive. The mixing of gender roles is portrayed by Lady Macbeth, and the Witches. Because Lady macbeth and the witches do not fit into traditional gender roles, they have more power than other women, and they cause discomfort for the men in the play. Viewing Macbeth through the feminist lens demonstrates men’s fear of changes in social power dynamics.
The French word “feminisme” was coined by Charles Fourier. It was first used in English in the 1880’s to advocate for women’s rights. In literature, the feminist lens tries to compensate for the lack of female perspective and reflect on patriarchal social forces. Both in literature and today’s society, the lens uses many subjects to back up its views such as history, politics, and philosophy. In Macbeth, the feminist lens draws primarily on history to interpret the meaning of the story. …show more content…
She takes the power of masculinity when she say:“Come, you spirits/ That tend on mortal thoughts,/ unsex me here,/And fill me from the crown to the toe top-full... /Come to my woman's breasts,/And take my milk for gall, you murd'ring ministers,/Wherever in your sightless substances/you wait on nature's mischief" (1.5.47-57). Lady Macbeth gains her power from being masculine, and from her husband being emasculated. Taking advantage of this, she breaks out of traditional gender roles as she encourages her masculinization, and the emasculation of her husband. She is seen as monstrous by the men because of her lack of femininity, and because she does not behave in the way it is believed women