Examples Of Gender Equality In Macbeth

Words: 933
Pages: 4

The idea of gender equality and feminism has been a common topic throughout the years. Within the story of Macbeth, there are many ideals of what a certain gender should be and do. Lady Macbeth is a perfect example of feminism even nowadays. However, throughout Macbeth, the idea of what a woman should be like and how each gender should act showed exactly what the past generations acted like. Men were expected to act tough and to never show any weakness. When it came to women, however, talk of death or of any hardships would not be spoken of. Throughout the story, the ideals of the perfect gender were very prominent, and Lady Macbeth broke the gender barrier becoming a perfect feminist role, even nowadays. However, Shakespeare broke the “strong women” character that Lady Macbeth appeared to be, showing that any time a woman breaks free of the gender roles set, they end up getting hurt.
Lady Macbeth showed the perfect feminist character when she took control and planned the murder of Duncan. Without her Duncan’s murder would not have taken
…show more content…
Also, throughout the story, there were many instances showing what was expected (in that era) of men and women. Men were expected to be the strong, independent figure that did not need anyone to help them. Women, however, were portrayed as helpless and unable to do or think for themselves. When Lady Macbeth broke the gender roles that were set, Shakespeare switched it up, causing her to become crazy. This cause the perfect image of feminism to have a negative outcome, making it so that women would not have wanted to end up like her in the end. Women in that era were conditioned to believe that they needed a man and that they could speak for themselves. Lady Macbeth played a perfect feminist icon, even though the gender roles that were set, until she ended up going crazy and causing to were no other person would want to end up like she