Discuss the representation of women in Macbeth
Men dominated Elizabethan times. It was a patriarchal society. Women needed to conform to the social expectations. They were not supposed to show off their bodies. Their dresses had high, choking necklines, a plate that flattened their bosom, and layers of cloth that made them appear larger than they really were on the hips. The ideal picture of beauty was fair-skinned, red hair, high foreheads and very thin eyebrows. They spoke softly and did not express their opinions openly. Women were expected to be good wives and mothers, and they had to obey their fathers or husbands, because in a patriarchal society, women were possessions, and were basically owned by males.In William Shakespeare's Macbeth, however, Shakespeare constructs female characters that endorse this ideal and some that challenge it. The three types of female characters in this play are, the active female, Lady Macbeth, the passive female, Lady Macduff, and the weÇrd sisters, who are those to be afraid of. All of who are very different to each other. In Shakespeare's plays, especially, the audience familiarizes themselves with the representation of women by their own dialogues, and what other characters say about them. The dramatic techniques Shakespeare uses to
For th'ingredience of our cauldron. (Act 4 Sc. 1 Ln 22- 34)" This works so well in constructing a character because it shows her subconscious speaking, and the gentlewoman and doctor observing her. The doctor says that terrible rumors are circulating, and that an uneasy mind will not be able to rest peacefully. He says she needs the help of a priest more than a physician, as it is her mind that is unwell. He would realize that she and Macbeth are probably behind the murders of Duncan, Lady Macduff and Banquo. He seems to be afraid of the fact that this might be true as he thinks, but dares not speak. It constructs Lady Macbeth to posses a guilty conscience, and that she is not as bad as she seems. When Macbeth hears this, he thinks he is invincible. Little does he know that it means someone who was not born naturally will harm him, and that Macduff will as he was born of a cesarean section. By doing this Shakespeare constructs the weÇrd sisters as being cunning, crafty hags. (Act 1 Sc. 7 Ln 43, 49)" Outwardly, she conforms to social expectations, and she takes her own advice to Macbeth: "Look like th'innocent flower, /But be the serpent under't". Duncan and Lady Macbeth exchange many compliments and much flattery when he visits but Lady Macbeth's flattery, however, hides a sinister purpose.
Some common words found in the essay are:
Lady Macbeth, Lady Macduff, Thane Cawdor, Macduff Wisdom, Turk Tartar's, , God God, Lady Macbeth's, Macbeth Act, Macbeth Fill, lady macbeth, lady macduff, weird sisters, social expectations, female characters, shakespeare constructs, 1 ln, sc 1, 1 sc, sc 1 ln, conforms social expectations, elizabethan times, act 4 sc, 5 sc 1, 1 sc 5,
Approximate Word count = 1786
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page double spaced)
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