Societal Mistaken Identities The human brain has divisions for various functions and one controls the way humans behave. Behavior is composed of countless things like prejudice. It can be regarding ethnicity, gender, or social status. Gender stereotypes are assumptions based on the sex of an individual. Stereotypes are similar to mistaken identities as an individual is portrayed as someone they are not. In the 17th century, customary gender notions were an essential component in defining an individual’s identity and gender stereotypes continue to exist presently. William Shakespeare 's play Macbeth, places a profound significance upon the theme of gender roles set by society. In Macbeth, characters challenge traditional notions of masculinity
…show more content…
Macduff defies the stereotype of men not weeping as it shows weakness. Macduff dearly cares for his family and he becomes a victim of a terrible tragedy as his entire family is murdered. He grieves as he says, "...I must also feel it as a man:/I cannot but remember such things were,/That were most precious to me." (4.3.222-223). Macduff wants to handle the situation rightfully and avenge his family 's death, but cannot control his feelings and decides he must mourn correctly, no matter who is watching him or what others will think. In the public eye, men are not supposed to grieve, especially not in a public manner and Macduff expresses his emotions against societal views. Also, Macduff grieving in front of others, changes Malcolm 's perspective on a long-established gender norm. After Siward 's son dies, Malcolm says "[Siward 's son] 's worth more sorrow,/And that I 'll spend for him." As Malcolm becomes the new King of Scotland, he begins to show empathy and breaks an old custom that men should not be sensitive. He brings forward change by telling his noblemen Siward that he needs to grieve the loss of his son in order to heal. Now that Malcolm is in the highest position in "The Great Chain of Being", commoners idolize him. Therefore, by destroying customary masculine notions, Macduff is successfully able to provoke change in society and influence
Macduff defies the stereotype of men not weeping as it shows weakness. Macduff dearly cares for his family and he becomes a victim of a terrible tragedy as his entire family is murdered. He grieves as he says, "...I must also feel it as a man:/I cannot but remember such things were,/That were most precious to me." (4.3.222-223). Macduff wants to handle the situation rightfully and avenge his family 's death, but cannot control his feelings and decides he must mourn correctly, no matter who is watching him or what others will think. In the public eye, men are not supposed to grieve, especially not in a public manner and Macduff expresses his emotions against societal views. Also, Macduff grieving in front of others, changes Malcolm 's perspective on a long-established gender norm. After Siward 's son dies, Malcolm says "[Siward 's son] 's worth more sorrow,/And that I 'll spend for him." As Malcolm becomes the new King of Scotland, he begins to show empathy and breaks an old custom that men should not be sensitive. He brings forward change by telling his noblemen Siward that he needs to grieve the loss of his son in order to heal. Now that Malcolm is in the highest position in "The Great Chain of Being", commoners idolize him. Therefore, by destroying customary masculine notions, Macduff is successfully able to provoke change in society and influence