Gender Representations in Macbeth - William Shakespeare

The play Macbeth, written by William Shakespeare, explores an abundant of encounters to the rigid gender representation demonstrated in the play. The play revolves around the questioning of femininity and masculinity, allowing us to explore how certain characters equivocate the definition of gender to please their favour and how each gender identities are created for persuasion of the natural order that corresponds to the traditional order - Lady Macbeth and Macbeth exploit and redefine gender ideology, an unbalance is created when Lady Macbeth is displayed as the dominant character of the relationship, during the Jacobean era it is believed that it is proper to remain in your respected gender role and not to over rule your husband†¦show more content†¦Furthermore this suggests that she is not as tough as she thought. A character similar to Lady Macbeth is Lady Macduff, clearly she plays a much less prominent role yet she still impacts upon the play developing contrastive ap proach to gender. Lady Macduff differs from Lady Macbeth, in ways that she is more of a discourteous outspoken character rather than an ambitious active character - in contrast to Lady Macbeth, she does not strive to rid herself to female qualities an example supporting this statement is when Lady Macduff says, â€Å"Is often laudable, to do good sometime Accounted dangerous folly: why then, alas, Do I put up that womanly defence, To say, I have done no harm?† - this quote corresponds to traditional ideas about female gender, she herself does acknowledge her femininity, Lady Macduff, does question her gender place however she does not consider alternatives to it, although she does continue to argue upon the natural order, this is conveyed through, â€Å"From whence himself does fly? He loves us not: He wants the natural touch; for the poor wren, The most diminutive of birds, will fight,† Lady Macduff criticizes her husband’s manhood by suggesting he lacks the ‘natural touchà ¢â‚¬â„¢, which implies that he should stand by his wife, this advocates toShow MoreRelatedEssay William Shakespeares Macbeth671 Words   |  3 PagesWilliam Shakespeares Macbeth William Shakespeare lived in an era where women possessed few political and private rights. Women were subjected to the will of men as men were thought to be greater morally, physically and intellectually. Shakespeare, as he was living in this hierarchical and patriarchal world, was subjected to this value system. 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