Shakespeare’s Macbeth and gender stereotypes
Macbeth is a famous play written by William Shakespeare in the seventeenth century. The play was written for James the VI, who was the King of the Scots in the 11th century. This play is known for its violence, tragic events and the twist on gender roles. The story begins by presenting Macbeth as a well-respected, loyal, and honorable hero and thane of Scotland; and his wife, Lady Macbeth as a very charismatic lady who goes above and beyond to get what she wants. However, throughout the play both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth’s character changes. Their character changes not only in terms of personality, but they also switch gender roles. Stereotypically in the seventeenth century men were expected to …show more content…
This quote gives the readers an idea of the appearance of the witches. When a witch is mentioned the first thoughts that come to mind is a woman with a long pointed nose usually wearing black clothing. However, in the play, Macbeth, William Shakespeare characterizes the three witches as women with beards and unladylike appearances. He does this to portray to the readers that gender stereotypes should not exist or have any value. The facial hair symbolizes their influences on the male dominated part of Scotland. William Shakespeare mixes the gender roles in terms of the three witches so that he could bring his point across that gender stereotypes should not exist. Often times when the word “sisters” is mentioned the first impression that comes to mind are women. However, in relevance to the play Macbeth, the author portrays the three weird sisters, commonly known as the three witches, as “wild creatures” and “not like th ' inhabitants o ' th ' Earth…” (1.3.41), according to Banquo. Furthermore, the actions of the three weird sisters do not follow the seventeenth century gender stereotypes. A female, in the early seventeenth century, did not behave like modern women today in comparison to witches, who did behave in the same manner they were expected to behave in. Although the witches are characterized as mean and crazy, the gender stereotypes still get contradicted because of the way William Shakespeare portrays them. He (Shakespeare) does not make this very evident in the play, however, it can still be seen throughout different scenes. In the seventeenth century, and even now in the twenty first century, many people are afraid of witches and that is normal. Banquo states that “If you can look into the seeds of time, /And say which grain will grow and which will not,
Macbeth is a famous play written by William Shakespeare in the seventeenth century. The play was written for James the VI, who was the King of the Scots in the 11th century. This play is known for its violence, tragic events and the twist on gender roles. The story begins by presenting Macbeth as a well-respected, loyal, and honorable hero and thane of Scotland; and his wife, Lady Macbeth as a very charismatic lady who goes above and beyond to get what she wants. However, throughout the play both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth’s character changes. Their character changes not only in terms of personality, but they also switch gender roles. Stereotypically in the seventeenth century men were expected to …show more content…
This quote gives the readers an idea of the appearance of the witches. When a witch is mentioned the first thoughts that come to mind is a woman with a long pointed nose usually wearing black clothing. However, in the play, Macbeth, William Shakespeare characterizes the three witches as women with beards and unladylike appearances. He does this to portray to the readers that gender stereotypes should not exist or have any value. The facial hair symbolizes their influences on the male dominated part of Scotland. William Shakespeare mixes the gender roles in terms of the three witches so that he could bring his point across that gender stereotypes should not exist. Often times when the word “sisters” is mentioned the first impression that comes to mind are women. However, in relevance to the play Macbeth, the author portrays the three weird sisters, commonly known as the three witches, as “wild creatures” and “not like th ' inhabitants o ' th ' Earth…” (1.3.41), according to Banquo. Furthermore, the actions of the three weird sisters do not follow the seventeenth century gender stereotypes. A female, in the early seventeenth century, did not behave like modern women today in comparison to witches, who did behave in the same manner they were expected to behave in. Although the witches are characterized as mean and crazy, the gender stereotypes still get contradicted because of the way William Shakespeare portrays them. He (Shakespeare) does not make this very evident in the play, however, it can still be seen throughout different scenes. In the seventeenth century, and even now in the twenty first century, many people are afraid of witches and that is normal. Banquo states that “If you can look into the seeds of time, /And say which grain will grow and which will not,