Masculinity In Macbeth

Man and Woman, a term defined in society based on not just the reproductive organs given at birth, but by the standards society sets for each individual. In Shakespearean Scotland, men are seen as the predominant gender over women. This standard leads to the eventual murders performed by Macbeth. In Shakespeare's Macbeth, Macbeth portrays the idealistic representation of masculinity in the first scene of the play. Macbeth’s violence, anger and ruthlessness, seen as an honor by King Duncan, sets a stereotype for all male characters in the play. The idealistic role for all men set in the beginning of the play leads the eventual death of Duncan and ultimately Macbeth. The first introduction of females in the play is the witches. The witches …show more content…
Macbeth portrays this corruption in the very first act as he slaughters enemies.“In Macbeth’s Scotland, violence and its accompanying qualities are limited to the male. Women are subordinate to men and divorced from political influence because they lack those qualities that would fit them for a warrior society”(Asp 157-58). Macbeth is encouraged to participate in violent acts, so he uses this ideology to explain his killings. Society sets the path for Macbeth to follow as he makes the decision to murder Duncan. “there is no basis for identity as a man merely in declaring one’s male gender or membership in the human race. In Macbeth’s minds manhoods is not a constant, fixed quality but one which must continually be proved by manly deeds”(Asp 155). The true tragic flaw of Macbeth is his need to prove his masculinity to his wife. “I shall do so, But I must feel it like a man”(Shakespeare IV.iii.222). The only way Macbeth can prove his masculinity is to murder. Rewards follow at first for the murder of the traitor such as the new title of Thane of Cawdor. This title foreshadows how in order to satisfy ambition and gain power in his society, Macbeth must kill. Murder in Elizabethan Scotland is upheld as one of the most honorable acts and yet the most heinous act one can perform. “Ay, and a bold one , that dare look on that/ which might appall the Devil”(Shakespeare III.iv.58-9). The witches acknowledge Macbeth as someone who would appal even the devil. Macbeth loses his true identity to his gender role as he performs the most masculine act in his society, murder. “Be bloody,bold, and resolute, laugh to scorn/ The power of man…”( Shakespeare IV.i. 79-80). The power of a man is set defined by his violence. Macbeth must be murderous and fearless in order to prove his masculinity to himself and his

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