Theme Of Gender In Macbeth
Macbeth
Shakespeare is known for his breathtaking play that always keeps the reader on the edge of his seat. Whether one is reading the play or watching it in a theater, it is evident that Shakespeare’s plays never disappoint. Arguably, there is no Shakespeare’s play that does not touch on love, power, greed, and gender. Macbeth is one of Shakespeare’s plays that focus on gender and sexuality. The play is pervaded with darkness with its characters chasing blind ambitions. Most importantly, Macbeth’s central theme is the relationship between gender and power. In this light, this essay aims at looking into how Shakespeare advances this theme by subverting his character’s perception of gender roles.
Most of the gender roles explored in Macbeth are centered on Lady Macbeth. The woman makes it clear that she wants to take on masculine characteristics by successfully persuading her husband to murder Duncan (Herrmann 15). This issue is addressed in the ladies famous speech. After she reads Macbeth’s letter, Lady Macbeth reiterates her desire to take on male roles and qualities. She insists, …show more content…
Shakespeare paints her as a character with sinister motives compared to her husband. This perception is supported by the following words:
He says these words as he contemplates the terrible deed he and his wife are about to commit and the negative consequences that will result from their actions.
Conclusion
It goes without mentioning that Macbeth’s central theme is the relationship between gender and power. Contrary to the conventional order of things that recognizes the man as the dominant force in every marriage, Shakespeare proves that this is not always the case. Lady Macbeth usurped all her husband’s roles and managed to control almost all his actions. In the same vein, the woman used her gender to manipulate her husband and to get to do whatever she
Shakespeare is known for his breathtaking play that always keeps the reader on the edge of his seat. Whether one is reading the play or watching it in a theater, it is evident that Shakespeare’s plays never disappoint. Arguably, there is no Shakespeare’s play that does not touch on love, power, greed, and gender. Macbeth is one of Shakespeare’s plays that focus on gender and sexuality. The play is pervaded with darkness with its characters chasing blind ambitions. Most importantly, Macbeth’s central theme is the relationship between gender and power. In this light, this essay aims at looking into how Shakespeare advances this theme by subverting his character’s perception of gender roles.
Most of the gender roles explored in Macbeth are centered on Lady Macbeth. The woman makes it clear that she wants to take on masculine characteristics by successfully persuading her husband to murder Duncan (Herrmann 15). This issue is addressed in the ladies famous speech. After she reads Macbeth’s letter, Lady Macbeth reiterates her desire to take on male roles and qualities. She insists, …show more content…
Shakespeare paints her as a character with sinister motives compared to her husband. This perception is supported by the following words:
He says these words as he contemplates the terrible deed he and his wife are about to commit and the negative consequences that will result from their actions.
Conclusion
It goes without mentioning that Macbeth’s central theme is the relationship between gender and power. Contrary to the conventional order of things that recognizes the man as the dominant force in every marriage, Shakespeare proves that this is not always the case. Lady Macbeth usurped all her husband’s roles and managed to control almost all his actions. In the same vein, the woman used her gender to manipulate her husband and to get to do whatever she