Macbeth Power Relations
Macbeth Essay
Jess Ireson
William Shakespeare’s famous play ‘Macbeth’ both reflects and challenges power relations in the context of the seventeenth century. The play centres round the character Macbeth, who is brave, ambitious and has a tendency to self-doubt, and becomes a murderer due to his lust for power. The play focuses on Macbeth’s psyche and his downfall, yet it also portrays a variety of power relations. The relationship between men and women is represented by Macbeth and Lady Macbeth’s relationship, and the constant change in gender roles. The theme of masculinity is common throughout the play, which is portrayed through contrasting views on gender. Another power relation in ‘Macbeth’ is the relationship between a king and his subjects. In the play there are two characters who are kings, Duncan and Macbeth, each display a contrasting portrayal of a king. Both characters differ due to their values and their relationship with their subjects. The relationship between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth, the theme of masculinity, the reversal in gender roles and the relationship between a King and his subjects will be discussed to explore how Shakespeare has challenged and reflected ideas about power relations.
The relationship between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth goes through different stages throughout the play. Their relationship challenges and also reinforces power relations, due to the swapping of roles. In the context of the play, which is seventeenth century, women had no rights and were seen purely as a wife and mother, who had to obey their husbands. However in Act one, Macbeth treats his wife as an equal. This is seen when Macbeth writes to his wife to tell her of the witches prophecies, which shows he values Lady Macbeth’s opinion, who he refers to as “...my dearest partner of greatness”. The letter seems to excite Lady Macbeth, though not because she will become Queen, but because she is truly happy for her husband. This is the first sign of the extremely
Jess Ireson
William Shakespeare’s famous play ‘Macbeth’ both reflects and challenges power relations in the context of the seventeenth century. The play centres round the character Macbeth, who is brave, ambitious and has a tendency to self-doubt, and becomes a murderer due to his lust for power. The play focuses on Macbeth’s psyche and his downfall, yet it also portrays a variety of power relations. The relationship between men and women is represented by Macbeth and Lady Macbeth’s relationship, and the constant change in gender roles. The theme of masculinity is common throughout the play, which is portrayed through contrasting views on gender. Another power relation in ‘Macbeth’ is the relationship between a king and his subjects. In the play there are two characters who are kings, Duncan and Macbeth, each display a contrasting portrayal of a king. Both characters differ due to their values and their relationship with their subjects. The relationship between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth, the theme of masculinity, the reversal in gender roles and the relationship between a King and his subjects will be discussed to explore how Shakespeare has challenged and reflected ideas about power relations.
The relationship between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth goes through different stages throughout the play. Their relationship challenges and also reinforces power relations, due to the swapping of roles. In the context of the play, which is seventeenth century, women had no rights and were seen purely as a wife and mother, who had to obey their husbands. However in Act one, Macbeth treats his wife as an equal. This is seen when Macbeth writes to his wife to tell her of the witches prophecies, which shows he values Lady Macbeth’s opinion, who he refers to as “...my dearest partner of greatness”. The letter seems to excite Lady Macbeth, though not because she will become Queen, but because she is truly happy for her husband. This is the first sign of the extremely