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How are masculinity and femininity presented and explored in Shakespeare's Macbeth?

The audience has a chance to see the way the Macbeths' society conceived of masculinity and femininity in the interactions that take place between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth.  After Macbeth has decided not to go forward with the murder of Duncan in Act 1, scene 7, Lady Macbeth insults him, calling him "green and pale" and a "coward" (1.7.41, 1.7.47).  She claims that having made a promise to her, it shows weakness and a lack...

The audience has a chance to see the way the Macbeths' society conceived of masculinity and femininity in the interactions that take place between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth.  After Macbeth has decided not to go forward with the murder of Duncan in Act 1, scene 7, Lady Macbeth insults him, calling him "green and pale" and a "coward" (1.7.41, 1.7.47).  She claims that having made a promise to her, it shows weakness and a lack of masculinity for him to break it.  He understands that she means to insult his manhood in this way because he says, "I dare do all that may become a man. / Who dares do more is none" (1.7.51-52).  In other words, he insists that he is really a man, despite what she's said.  Her implication, though, is that men should be strong and ruthless, that they should keep their promises no matter the danger, and that they be ambitious and willing to follow their ambition.


Near the end of this exchange, Macbeth tells his wife to "Bring forth men-children only, / For thy undaunted mettle should compose / Nothing but males" (1.7.83-85).  By this, we can understand that Lady Macbeth's recent behavior has been much more aligned with what is expected of men rather than women.  She has been domineering rather than submissive, ruthless rather than compassionate, insulting to him rather than comforting.  Lady Macbeth has manipulated her husband, and he knows it.  Women of their time are not supposed to behave in such a manner.

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