Monday, February 14, 2011
Question #2: Gender: Forward or Backward? (Block A)
The idea of Gender and its stereotypical roles are a big part of the theme of the play. What do you believe Shakespeare's message is about gender? How do the characters reflect or not reflect your theme? Is Shakespeare an advocate for gender equality or is he continuing the stereotype? Use mulitiple examples (both male and female) to support you idea.
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In the story of Macbeth, Shakespeare doesn't really have a strong opinion about equality in gender. Each character is represented on a simplistic male and female role. For example the soldiers are represented as blood thirsty men, and the witches are represented as bitter old women. Macbeth plays a man who wants power, and has a women in his life that is controlling. Lady Macbeth plays the wife that is controlling over the relationship often forcing guilt on Macbeth. In the story Shakespeare doesn't necessarily continue the stereotype, but he doesn't give a man or woman a role in which was previously unseen. It is difficult to give a man or woman a non-stereotypical role in a setting of a medieval world, but not impossible. Often Shakespeare uses sex and love as a way to twist a characters mind, man or woman. The man being the one who will do anything for the women, and the women being the one manipulating the man. Macbeth is the one who can't say no to Lady Macbeth. Even though he is the one who got her started, she is the brain behind the scheme. In this relationship Lady Macbeth uses her beauty to hypnotize Macbeth into doing her bidding. She has a lot of control over him like as if he was a puppet.
ReplyDeleteIn the relationship between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth is a story of a couple rising through the ranks. There are 2 different stereotypes in a relationship. Either the man is the dominating character in the relationship with the woman being quiet or submissive or the woman being controlling and the man being whipped or afraid because he is desperate. Basically this relationship is unstable and many characters play stereotypical roles. Though Shakespeare was a superb author, his stories weren't revolutionary for gender in significant ways.
In Shakespeare's time, women were basically chattel. They must be in submission to their husbands, stayed at home- no profession- do all the chores, take care of the children, and obey their husbands. Would this consider to be a stereotype, since all women were expected to be this way back in the 16th century?
ReplyDeleteHowever, the stereotypical view for most people (even now) is: women are the weaker gender. Yet in Macbeth, Shakespeare has swapped the roles of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth around, where in fact, Lady Macbeth is the one in charge of the Macbeth household. She is a cruel, ambitious and powerful woman (even more than her husband, Macbeth), as she was already planning Duncan's murder as she was first introduced in the play. Furthermore, she insisted that Macbeth must kill Duncan to prove himself as a man. Clearly, Lady Macbeth can easily manipulate her husband with remarkable effectiveness, making Macbeth to obey her completely. Even Macbeth implied that "undaunted mettle should compose Nothing but males" (A1,S7 line 82-83) to his own wife, that she has a masculine soul.
But still, I don't think Shakespeare is really in favor of the gender equality here, although the character of Lady Macbeth, implies that women, can be as ambitious and cruel as men, since we, as mankind, all have great desires that we want to fulfill. Nevertheless, it is also Lady Macbeth's ambition that will become one of the downfall that leads to Macbeth's tragic ending.
I agree that women have been viewed as the inferior gender throughout the centuries, however only when they are represented in the same social status. For example in medieval times a queen would be more powerful than all of the people of her land, but a common women would be less than a common man. Shakespeare didn't necessarily introduce people to a whole new concept of viewing women as an equal though he didn't demean it, he simply just put it into a story. This didn't necessarily mean he advocated women rights, but found it an entertaining story as a what if a woman was the mastermind behind an assassination. Though not common there have been women in history that held more power than the man. For example women such as Joan of Arc and Queen Elizabeth I were leaders of a primitive society in which equality isn't even a word. Overall the story of Macbeth would more likely be viewed as an entertaining story. As a matter of fact it somewhat makes women seem like bad leaders because Lady Macbeth is leading Macbeth but gets him killed. So basically yes he portrays women with power, but the women fails in achieving the goal.
DeleteI agree Shakespeare indeed used gender role reversal in Macbeth; however I disagree that Shakespeare was not in favour of gender equality. On the other hand, I believe he used this reversal to advocate for gender equality. As Cindy has said, in the Shakespearean era, women were seen as very weak and incapable. But, by displaying the possibility that women can successfully complete male actions or jobs, Shakespeare influences readers to look at men and women equally. In this play, traditional male actions, such as planning and executing a murder, are carried out by a woman. Lady Macbeth, who is much more dominant than her husband, leads him to the murder of Duncan. Though Macbeth had considered the idea of killing Duncan, he was uncertain until the persistence and guidance from his wife. In addition, Lady Macbeth told her husband to leave “this night’s great business into [her] dispatch.” (act 1, scene 5, line 75). Thus, all of the planning of the murder came from Lady Macbeth, not her husband. It was also Lady Macbeth who planned and executed the framing of the king’s two chamberlains. Lady Macbeth cleverly made the chamberlains drunk and then placed bloody daggers by their bedside to frame them for the kings murder. Therefore, as these examples illustrate, Lady Macbeth repeatedly took the lead in planning and executing the murder of Duncan. Lady Macbeth took on the traditional role of a man, as she did not shy away from any violence or bloodshed. Shakespeare showed that women, just as men, can indeed be powerful and authoritative. Shakespeare used this gender reversal to advocate for gender equality, as he demonstrated a woman can be just as influential, cruel, and dominant as a man.
DeleteSociety sometimes believes that men are the workers and providers and mostly the strength of the family, and the women take a more caring and nurturing role. Men's physical strength is seen as being strong and brave at hard times. But through Shakespeare's play, it shows that men can be weak. When lady Macbeth is being introduced she is being portrayed as if she had power or strength over her husband Macbeth, not a stereotypical trait for a women is it? "unsex me here, and fill me from the crown to the toe topfull of direst cruelty. Make thick my blood...."(act 1 scene 5, 36-52) This scene she is waiting for king Duncan's arrival at her Castle, some can say that this shows that she "wears" the pants in the relationship. She has strength over Macbeth and her ambition will force Macbeth to murder the king to gain the throne. And the three witches are definitely not portrayed as a stereotype, they have power and influence over men, example in act 1 scene 3, the witches cast an ugly spell on a women's husband. If this was the typical stereotype a women wouldn't be fighting or have any sort of power over a man and here women are "fighting" and the men are suffering. An average stereotype against a women is that women stay home an take care of the children and home and have no say in important business, while the men go off working and make decisions for everything, lady Macbeth does stay home while Macbeth goes out to "work" but she also makes life or death decisions. So my answer is yes, I do in fact believe that shakespeare is an advocate for gender equality. He made a perfect example that it doesn't matter if their a man or women, but what truly matters the most is what choices and steps a person makes to prove his or herself in this world.
ReplyDeleteI understand were you believe Shakespeare potrayed women such as Lady Macbeth and the three witches as strong independent women. You must also remember that they are depicted as nasty, bitter, and just plain mean. This means Shakespeare in a way is stating that women that speak freely are not the type of people you would like to be around. If Shakespeare intended for women to be represented as a positive figure or role model he would have portrayed them as brave, honorable, and not evil. The main reason that Shakespeare would have not possible have advocated women for gender equality is because he set Lady Macbeth to fail. What kind of role model is evil, cruel, violent, and a failure. I do understand that she was a dominate character in the story, but she was ruthless and basically a female dictator. Nobody in society today, and in the past looked up to dictators.
DeleteAlan I disagree Shakespeare only really portrayed women in a negative light in Macbeth. Take a look at Romeo and Juliet: Juliet was (although stereotypical for the most part) portrayed in a positive light. Maybe Shakespeare is actually saying that when women are evil, they are worse than men.
DeleteIndeed, people do tend to think that Men are the stronger gender, while women are weak and pure. Yet, Shakespeare portrayed Lady M as a cruel and ambitious women, which is very different from the stereotypical view. This shows that even women can be as powerful as men can be. Women are as capable as men. However, I don't think that Shakespeare is an advocate for gender equality, either. Like Alan said:"Shakespeare would have not possible have advocated women for gender equality is because he set Lady Macbeth to fail." If Lady M was supposed to imply that even women can achieve greatness with cruelty and ambition, then Shakespeare would/should have make her successful, but we all knew that is not how the play ends. Moreover, even though Lady M schemed the murder of Duncan, but without Macbeth, I don't think she'll be able to carry out her plan alone,(Macbeth has to be the one who kill Duncan).. thus even though women can have the same ambition desire as men, but they cannot accomplish it by themselves.
Delete^Kimberly, I do agree that Shakespeare does not only portray women in a negative way. For Lady Macbeth as an example, I don't think that being cruel or having great ambition is entirely a bad thing. Since we all have desires that we want to fulfill, and sometimes we need those "negative" side of us to lead us there. But again, it all depend on individual's beliefs and the choices we made.
I don't think that Shakespeare is saying that women are more evil than men. Though, Lady M did insist Macbeth to kill Duncan, but before that Macbeth has already thought about the murder himself. Plus, no one really did "force" Macbeth to do so. Macbeth could have ignore the three witches' prophesy or refuse Lady M's insistence. Macbeth was the one who made the choice to carry out the murder. Thus, Macbeth's downfall wasn't all caused by his wife (or the three witches) but also by the decision he made.
I agree with this completely. I think shakespeare understood that character made a person, not the gender and therefore he was stating that a person no matter the gender could be the provider, or a killer based on who they are and what their morals are. He was one of the first to actually display this in the elizabethen era.
DeleteKimberly, I disagree with your statement, “that when women are evil, they are worse than men.” On the contrast, I believe Shakespeare is illustrating that particular actions and traits can be possessed by either men or women, as he is an advocate for gender equality. Though it is evident that Lady Macbeth is a cruel and violent character, as she manipulated her husband and took the lead in the murder of Duncan, Macbeth is also displayed as ruthless and brutal. For example, in act 1 scene 2, the Sergeant is describing the progression of the battle to the king. He tells the king how Macbeth ruthlessly beheaded the rebel Macdonwald, “and fixed his head upon our battlements.”(act 1, scene 2, line 24). Macbeth is a fierce fighter in war. He not only brutally beheaded Macdonwald, but then placed his head on the castle walls. In addition, as soon as the three witches presented Macbeth with the prophecy that he would one day be king, Macbeth immediately began thinking about murdering the king. Thus, as did his wife, Macbeth too had the capability to kill and murder. Both characters are portrayed equally cruel by Shakespeare; therefore, it is difficult to say Shakespeare believed women are more evil than men.
DeleteIn Shakespeares' Macbeth, the stereotypical idea that women are helpless and just do what they are told, while men are dominent and have complete power doesn't really exist. For example, in act 1 scene three, one of the witches asks a lady for a chestnut, she refuses so all three witches plan the death of her husband by creating a storm. Also, the role that Lady M plays is continuous throughout scene 1. She is evil, controls Macbeth and convinces him to do things that she wants done, like killing the king. The male characters that are portrayed in the play are shown as calm, steady and consistent compared to the role the the females play. Sure they kill many others in the war that has overcome their land, but they aren't ruthless like the three witches or Lady M. Macbeth is controled my his wife as well as the three witches predictions, again showing that he is not the dominent gender. Shakespeare is reversing the typical stereotypes in the play, showing that anybody, no matter what gender, can have power and influence over others.
ReplyDeleteI strongly agree when it comes to Lady Macbeth playing a strong female role in which represents women as being violent and dominant. If it hadn't been for Lady M, Macbeth may have not had the courage to kill Duncan. Lady M's character is much different to the stereotyped wife. She is rather controlling and dominant to which she often manipulated Macbeth's decisions (For example, the scheme to kill Duncan inorder for Macbeth to be crowned King of Cawdor). In contrast, Macbeth plays a step down from the stereotyped role of a husband. He allows Lady Macbeth to take control at which point is rather eyeopening to society's idea of husband and wife's role. Shakespeare displayed women to be much more capable than what society comes to think.
DeleteI agree Lady Macbeth and the witches are ruthless characters, but that doesn't necessarily mean shakespeare is advocating gender equality. Its because if he were to advocate gender equality he would have represented Lady Macbeth or even the witches as powerful figures that are honorable, and loyal. Depicting Lady Macbeth as a negative figure only shows that women are a nuisance when they speak freely. The story shows that when a women is given any kind of power or control over a being they are often ruthless, violent, and just simply unpleasant to be around. If Shakespeare ever intended for women to be represented to be more capable then what society views them as then this wouldn't be a tragic story. Its a tragedy because Macbeth listened to her which led to his downfall. It doesn't see appropriate to advocate equality by portraying them as failures
DeleteAlan I agree that Shakespear did not try to make women equal in this play. As you stated, he seemed to make all women that we have seen so far evil, it is almost promoting gender inequality. I do think, however, that Shakespear did something different in switching the roles of the characters. The fact that Lady M has much of the power is very interesting for a play of that time period. I guess we will have to see what happens later in the play to see how having Lady M in power affects the outcome.
DeleteIt is very interesting indeed how Shakespeare has portray Lady M as a cruel powerful lady. Yes, I do agree that the female characters play the dominant roles in the play. If Macbeth has not met the three witches and heard the prophesy, I doubt that Macbeth would have the thought of killing Duncan. Indeed, no matter what gender we are, we all have power and influence over others.
Deletei agree with you completely, Shakespeare has reversed the whole typical stereotype about men and women. The witches and Lady M all had influenced/encouraged the men to do what they wanted to be done. so instead of the men having the authority and power over women, shakespeare has made it so that the women have the power and authority.They may be cruel and nasty but they still have that power over them.
DeleteChris, I agree with you, it seems that the stereotypical gender rolls are reversed in the story. Typically men are portrayed as the brutal ones, and women as the calm, and collective ones, but not in this story. I also really like how you pointed out that Macbeth is basically being controlled by the three witches and his wife. Its interesting how the witches and Lady Macbeth had worked together unintentionally, the witches had predicted/pointed out Macbeths past and present, and then gave him the thought of him becoming kind in the future. Then when this thought had been planted into Macbeths mind his wife began to feed him with such horrible ideas, almost controlling him and making Macbeth kill the king.
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I agree that Lady Macbeth is the main force behind the evil, but perhaps she is only the "temptress" of sorts, like Circe or the Sirens of Greek mythology. Their purpose is to lead men towards evil. I think that this was a dominant prejudice at the time. Shakespeare's characters definitely do not fit in with the gentle, harmless stereotype of modern times, but may have fit in with the cruel, temptress stereotype of the past.
DeleteShakespeare did not continue the cycle of stereotyping genders in Macbeth; Lady Macbeth is not shown as a fragile figure who needs a male counterpart. She is a very outspoken individual, and it seemed like Shakespeare allowed her to express her own character instead of him writing her part into the story. As with every character in a good story, Lady Macbeth was a very interesting part of Macbeth and added to the plot instead of being in the background. Shakespeare was one of the first people in his day to actually allow women to play the roles of women in his plays. Up to Shakespeare, only men would be allowed parts in plays; so this shows that Shakespeare was an advocate for equality in gender.
ReplyDeleteAs I agree to your idea of Lady Macbeth being a rather outspoken individual, however I question Macbeth's way of portraying Lady Macbeth. Shakespeare tries to break the idea of gender inequality by illustrating women as violent, dominant and cruel. However, Lady Macbeth is a wife which is visibly seen when Duncan enters their home. She is dressed in nice attire, ladylike. In contrast, she was the one who had created the scheme of killing the King, but her appearance covers her idea in that she is fragile and innocent. Shakespeare was capable of taking advantage of the appearance of women, the women's fragile presence, and applying it to that of someone cruel. Women are not always seen as nice and dainty, being that underneath the nice clothes and pretty face their is urge and capability.
DeleteI agree with Erica that Lady Macbeth was pretending to be an innocent person when she met Duncan, but deep inside she simply wanted to see him die. Lady Macbeth is viewed as a villain in the story who is destroying the reputation of an honorable respected man. This doesn't seem like a positive way to view women. Indeed Lady Macbeth was one of the first characters in a story to be viewed as a non-stereotypical women, but history has had powerful women how achieved their status through bravery, honor or leadership such as Joan of arc, Eleanor Anna Roosevelt, and Harriet Tubman. These women received the title as heroes and deserve it, but Shakespeare's story represents a women leading a man to self-destruction.
DeleteI agree with both Erica and Alan on different points. I agree that Lady Macbeth uses her gender as a weapon, pretending to be this nice host with no cruel intentions to the king while behind close doors. And I also agree with Alan because a woman doesn't have to be cruel or of horrible intentions to get what they want. Woman can be strong and powerful without being cruel.
Deletei do agree with you alan, on how he did portay these women as villains..but thats not really what the question was, the question was "Is he continuing the stereotype?" and i say no he didn't. Like kim has said he was one of the first persons to let a women play a women part, and in the play these women aren't fragile and in the background taking orders from their husbands. They are the total oppisite of that.
DeleteI believe Shakespeare’s message about genders is that there is no one gender dominance and that both male and females can dominate. In Macbeth Shakespeare shows this by making Lady Macbeth the boss in her household and she calls all the shots this is showing female dominance. However in the setting of the play Shakespeare made a king however he did not make a queen to rule the land this shows male dominance. I think Shakespeare is an advocate for gender equality because he shows no one dominant gender
ReplyDeleteI agree to the fact that Shakespeare had not mentioned a Queen in the writing of the play. Although, if Shakespeare had done so, the stereotype of King and Queen's may have uprisen another point about gender inequality (To which Shakespeare's purpose is to portray equality rather than inequality). Being so, King's often rein over the Queen as he often is seen greater (Seen to always have the bigger chair, the nicer crown etc.). However, looking at 'Macbeth,' Lady Macbeth definitely shows female dominance. Her capability of persuading Macbeth into killing Duncan shows her command in the household.
DeleteErica, I agree with your statement about Lady M being the dominant partner in their relationship, and I have a theory on why there is no queen mentioned in the play. I think Shakespear did not mention a queen because for there to be a queen, Macbeth would have to murder a woman, and that was and still is frowned upon. It could just be because of simple morals that there is no queen.
DeleteI agree with your view of both genders playing equal roles. Shakespeare was a master storyteller because of his broad audience and witty charm. Macbeth is a perfect example of how great of a writer he was when it comes to character's roles in the play, whether male or female.
DeleteI completely agree with you Awais. I really like how you pointed out that the women are the ones who come across as in charge and powerful, yet you also said that the land is ruled by one king as oppose to a queen. I also really like what Greg stated about how there is no queen because back then such an act would be frowned upon. I feel that if there was a queen ruling the land there there would be too big of an imbalance between the genders, and some people would begin to question Shakespeare and wonder why he wrote the book in such a manner.
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I agree with Shakespeare’s portrayal of women as the dominant gender in Macbeth. I also believe this contributes to the termination of gender stereotypes, as women are seen in a different light. Shakespeare has not characterized the women in his play as stereotypically helpless and weak, but authoritative and powerful. This influences readers to eliminate or at least question stereotypes about women. Certainly, in several cases, women are shown to have more power than the men, challenging the expectation of society at the time. For example, the three witches firstly show their control, as they create a storm to kill a woman’s husband as retribution upon the woman. In addition, the witches had control over Macbeth’s actions, as by telling Macbeth his future, they influenced him to begin thinking about murdering Duncan. Thus, the witches are shown as powerful and cruel, unexpected traits for stereotypical women. I also agree with your example of Lady Macbeth being in charge of the Macbeth household, rather than her husband. In addition, by simply questioning his manhood, and telling Macbeth “from this time such I account thy love,” (act 1, scene 7, line 9-10), Lady Macbeth is able to convince Macbeth to kill the king to seize the crown. Clearly, Lady Macbeth has power over her husband, as she is easily able to manipulate Macbeth into murdering the king. The witches and Lady Macbeth are two examples of confident, commanding, and dominant women in Shakespeare’s play. Seeing these different types of women, rather than the helpless and naive women society expects to see, helps to eliminate stereotypes.
DeleteI agree. I was surprised at the strength of Lady Macbeth's character. She blows her husband, the honoured wart hero, right out of the water.
DeleteOne of shakespeare's big themes in Macbeth is Gender equality vs. Gender stereotypes. In act one, there are many examples that help the readers determine which side of the argument shakespeare is writing about.
ReplyDeleteIt begins with the "Strange sisters" who Banquo notices "Should be women and your beards forbid me to interprit that you are so." [Act one, scene 3 lines 44-46] Act one continues to provide examples of men activing like woman and, vice versa. This is because although Shakespeare has a infinate understanding of the male/female stereotypes and their roles in society, he presents the radical idea that character is not determind by gender.
The play opens contrasting the female powers of intuition, that manifest as air against the male power of brute strength which was on the "heath" or barren battlefield. Soldiers are rewarded for the valour and "honour" and their wounds and killings. Lady Macbeth, on the other hand is rewarded as "my dearest partner of greatness" [act one, scene 5 line 9] for the "valour of her tongue" [ act one scene 5 line 26] which instructs macbeth to look like "an innocent flower" [act one scene 5 line 73] as he plots with her to murder king duncan and let his two body guards hang for the crime. Lady macbeth worries her husband is "too full of the milk of human kindness" [act one scene 5 line 16]
Shakespeare uses milk as a maternal metaphor to ironically describe his bloddied soldier macbeth. Yet milk and maternity are what cannot be honestly associated with his wife who asks that her milk be taken for gall and to "unsex me here, and fill me from crown to toe... of direst cruelty" [act one scene 5 line 44-46] when her husband approaches with second thoughts, she reminds him she is a mother and "knows how tender it is to love the babe... I would, while it was smiling in my face... dashed the brains out." [act one scene 7 line 60-64] before she would back out of their plan.
So while macbeth is told he would "live a coward... like the poor cat" [act one scene 7 line 46-48] he begs his wife to "bring forth men children only for thy undaunted mettle should compose nothing but males" [act one scene 7 line 80-83]
Shakespeare did not advocate for gender equality in Macbeth, he shattered male/female stereotypes. Shakespeare appeared to believe that character is morality rather then gender driven and all people are equally capable of acts both fair and foul.
A well thought out examination of the indicated materials! The elements described are somewhat superfluous in their repetition of your premise, but the skilled analysis of sub-textual concepts and taking into account the contextual shadings of the time period more than compensate for this duplication. Moreover, I agree with the general ideas you present, though I suspect that we would have some conflict over the subtle aspects of emphasis involved. I will look forward to your later analysis of the complex social themes presented in MacBeth, and await for them in eager anticipation -Marley H
DeleteIn the tragedy Macbeth, Shakespeare suggests that specific qualities can be possessed by either a man or a woman. However, despite this theme, the characterization of protagonist Macbeth and his wife, Lady Macbeth, contribute to the prolongation of gender stereotypes of the time. The play was written in the early 1600's, a time when gender stereotypes were prominent. Women were expected to strictly obey their father or husband and do household chores. They were expected to behave passively and submissively, avoiding violence and brutality whenever possible. On the other hand, men were expected to be tough and brutal, never shying away from any violence or bloodshed. They were considered stronger, physically and mentally.
ReplyDeleteIn Macbeth however, Shakespeare presents these gender roles in a reverse manner. Throughout Act 1 and Act 2 of the play, there are several examples of where male stereotypes are attributed Lady Macbeth, and female stereotypes attributed to Macbeth. For instance, Lady Macbeth is the one who begins to plan the murder of Duncan- traditionally a male's job. She tells Macbeth to put "this night's great business into [her] dispatch," telling her husband to trust her with the murder of Duncan. (act 1, scene 5, line 75). In addition, Lady Macbeth tells her husband to "give [her] the daggers" to frame the kings chamberlains for his murder (act 2, scene 2, line 68). Lady Macbeth's actions of taking the lead in the murder of the king are stereotypically a man's work, however Shakespeare reversed the roles. This can also be seen with Macbeth, who in several cases acts accordingly with women stereotypes. For example, Macbeth is described by his wife as "too full of the milk of human kindness." (act 1, scene 5, line 15). These traits of kindness and sympathy are traditionally associated with women. In addition, Macbeth is unable to even think of killing Duncan, as the violence and brutality of killing a humble and noble king scares him. Even when Macbeth ultimately follows through with the murder, he is unable to go back inside, as "[he] is afraid to think what [he] has done." (act 2, scene 2, line 65). Thus, in several cases, Macbeth acts in accordance with women stereotypes.
Indeed, Shakespeare has suggested that specific qualities could be possessed by a man or a woman. However, despite the reversal, the play only contributes to the continuation of the stereotypes. The more times humanity is presented with these stereotypes, the more likely the stereotypes are going to continue. Thus, Shakespeare may not have been in support of gender stereotypes, however by continually using them in Macbeth, he is only reinforcing the stereotypes and thus encouraging them.
This is very interesting how you said that Shakespeare is only reinforcing the stereotypes. Most of us have only thought of how Shakespeare has change the stereotypical idea of Lady M being a tough powerful women, but didn't think that Shakespeare is continuing the stereotypes. I agree, though Shakespeare has swap the 'gender qualities' around, but we can still sense the stereotypical view in the play. Lady M is one of the most famous character created by Shakespeare, due to her frighting and striking characteristic, and just like you said, he is only reinforcing the stereotypes, making it more obvious to the audiences.
DeleteIt's really hard to tell if Shakespeare is an advocate for gender equality or not. Though, I would argue that he is not, but then again there are many possibilities. I find it very interesting (or rather curious) on why Shakespeare would portray Lady M as a cruel evil woman. Though during the 16th century, women were pretty much powerless, but if I'm not mistaken, Queen Elizabeth I was the Queen during that era. So if Shakespeare is an advocate for gender equality, then why didn't he portray Lady M or any other female character as someone great and honorable, rather evil and cruel?
I agree with Cindy's response, I don't really think Shakespeare was trying to continue stereotypes about women let alone create them. Since Shakespeare created this reversal of gender roles throughout the play, the women seem stronger and the men seem weaker, proving that there are no typical stereotypes that we use today in our society.
DeleteGender tends to play different roles in the idea of violence. Many come to think that men are more associated with violence compared to those of women (For example, men dominate in military, police forces etc.). However, it seems that Shakespeare had taken the idea of gender inequality and portrayed women to be as violent or if not more aggressive than men. Shakespeare doesn’t follow the stereotype of gender inequality as he shows, rather, the capability of women that society tends to not see.
ReplyDeleteShakespeare illustrates the idea of women being as cruel and violent as men. Lady Macbeth had manipulated Macbeth into a scheme in which to kill Duncan. Her scheme had even lead her to the idea of her convicting murder, whereabouts she would be ‘unsexed’ herself in order to kill. Lady Macbeth’s character is flaunted to the idea of women and their capability of violence, much like the capability of violence in men. Women, as Shakespeare depicts, can also be the source of underlying of violence. The witches, three women, had the aptitude of convincing Macbeth he is soon to be crowned King of Cawdor. Their prophecy had encouraged and led Macbeth into violent behavior of killing Duncan. Their power of suggestion had led to violence.
Shakespeare’s idea of gender equality is shown in the theme ‘Fair is foul, and foul is fair.’ Being so, Lady Macbeth is clearly seen as a wife to Macbeth. However her fairness of being a wife to Macbeth is rather foul, as she is set out for Duncan’s murder along with her capability of provoking her husband. The belief of being blind to reality is easily shown in how Shakespeare illustrates his characters. The women in Macbeth are not seen, by appearance, to be capable of violence and cruelty. Lady Macbeth is only a wife and the three witches are old, hunched back women. However, what is seen and what is reality are considerably different. In ‘Macbeth,’ Shakespeare suggests a much different outlook on women’s role in society.
In our readings of Macbeth, the stereotypical idea that women are helpless and just do what they are told, while men are dominent and have complete power are ignored or even reversed in several ironic situations. For example, in act 1 scene three, one of the witches asks a lady for a chestnut, she refuses so all three witches plan the death of her husband by creating a storm. Also, the role that Lady Macbeth plays is continuous throughout scene 1. She is evil, controls Macbeth and convinces him to do things that she wants done, like killing the king. The male characters that are portrayed in the play are shown as calm, naive and consistent compared to the role the the females play. Sure they kill many others in the war that has overcome their land, but they aren't ruthless like the three witches or Lady M. Macbeth is controled my his wife as well as the three witches predictions, again showing that he is not the dominent gender. Shakespeare is intentionally reversing the typical stereotypes in the play, showing that anybody, no matter what sex, can have power and influence over others. -Marley H
ReplyDeleteI agree with the fact that gender plays a role big role with violence. Since Shakespeare reversed the role of the stereotypical male and female, the characters are portrayed quite well. Macbeth just wants to sit back and let time do its thing but Lady M wants everything good to happen right away, even if means killing many others. With the three witches, again, killing or harming others is all just fun and games for them. Gender in general though, plays a big role with violence even in our society today.
ReplyDeleteShakespeare both conforms to and differs from stereotypes and prejudices about women. Some stereotypes show women as kind, gentle, and unable to be violent. This is obviously untrue of Lady Macbeth. However, other stereotypes (especially of that time) show women as being "temptresses", more or less vessels of evil. Lady Macbeth does a good job in tempting Macbeth into committing murder. Shakespeare portrays her as a woman with no emotion whatsoever, furthering her unnatural disposition.
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