The title of this paper is “The Construction of Femininity and Masculinity in Shakespeare`s Macbeth". As this title suggests, I analyzed how Shakespeare construes female and male identity in Macbeth. As in many Shakespearean dramas the play starts with the destruction of order leading up to a crisis and ending in the restoration of order at the end of the play (Gelfert 32). The political order that is destroyed in the course of the play is King Duncan`s natural and fair order which appreciates a unique set of masculine and feminine values. Macbeth murders King Duncan in order to usurp his throne. Macbeth`s reign turns Duncan`s order into chaos and moral order cannot return to Scotland until the tyrant ruler Macbeth is defeated by troops who fight for the restoration of Duncan`s order, through the coronation of his son Malcolm.
This essay deals with the question of how Shakespeare shapes female and male characters. As a matter of fact, female and male characters are ultimately involved in the destruction and restoration of Scotland. This involves questions such as:
Which historical concepts does Shakespeare use to construe his male and female
characters?
Does he construe “typical” gender roles?
And what happens when gender boundaries are crossed, when men develop feminine traits
and women male ones? With special regard to the marriage of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth, I also analyzed the interaction between the genders. In the course of my analysis, I used the term “gender”, originating from Anglo-American feminist discourse, meaning ”the social, cultural, and psychological meaning imposed upon biological sexual identity” (Showalter 1-2). Interpreting femininity and masculinity as “gender” constructions allows a more thorough analysis of the various processes involved in the “making” of men and women. Whilst the term “sex” suggests that children naturally acquire the appropriate masculine or feminine behavioural norms of their society, the term “gender” can also
indicate that some people feel discrepancies between their “anatomical sex and experiential sense of gender and sexuality” (Showalter 2). After a short historical introduction about the origins of the play, I analyzed the masculine world of chivalry that the play takes place in. Understanding the world of chivalry, its values and codes is required as most of the male characters are construed as chivalrous knights serving in the corps of King Duncan.
Enjoy!
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Foreword
- The Sources of the Play
- Masculinity in Shakespeare's Macbeth
- The Values of Chivalry
- The Duties of Chivalrous Knights
- King Duncan's "Natural Order"
- Macbeth's Development from Scotland's Saviour, to Scotland's Criminal King and Bloody Tyrant
- Sterility as the Underlying Reason for Macbeth's Violence
- Banquo: Perfect Knight or Villain?
- Macduff: The Epitome of Chivalry?
- Malcolm: Hope for a Restored “Natural Order”?
- Femininity in Shakespeare's Macbeth
- The Elizabethan Housewife
- Humble Lady Macduff
- Witches as a Social and Political Problem in Shakespeare's England
- Between the Genders: The Witches in Macbeth
- Macbeth and Lady Macbeth: Marital Fulfillment in Regicide
- Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper analyzes how Shakespeare construed female and male identity in Macbeth. It investigates the historical concepts used to portray characters, explores if the play conforms to traditional gender roles, and examines the consequences of blurring gender boundaries. The essay focuses on the interaction between genders, particularly the marriage of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. Key themes in the work include:- The destruction and restoration of order in Macbeth, particularly King Duncan's "natural order" and the consequences of regicide.
- The role of chivalry and its values in shaping masculine identity within the play.
- The concept of "gender" as a social construct and its implications for understanding male and female characters.
- The complexities of power dynamics within the play, specifically in relation to gender roles and the subversion of established societal norms.
- The impact of the witches on the social and political landscape of Shakespeare's England.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
- **Foreword**: This introduction sets the stage for the paper, outlining its key objectives and research questions. The author clarifies their understanding of "gender" as a social construction and its relevance to the analysis.
- **The Sources of the Play**: This chapter explores the historical context of Macbeth, discussing its likely first performance for King James I and the influence of Raphael Holinshed's Chronicles. It highlights Shakespeare's adaptations of the source material to create a captivating and politically relevant play for his audience.
- **Masculinity in Shakespeare's Macbeth**: This chapter delves into the world of chivalry that forms the backdrop of the play. It examines the values and codes of chivalry, the portrayal of King Duncan's "natural order," and the development of Macbeth's character as he transitions from Scotland's savior to a tyrannical king. The chapter also explores the complex roles of Banquo and Macduff as potential embodiments of chivalry.
- **Femininity in Shakespeare's Macbeth**: This chapter examines the portrayal of female characters in the play, including the Elizabethan housewife, Lady Macduff, and the witches. It discusses the witches' symbolic significance as a social and political problem within Shakespeare's England, and their role as catalysts for the play's events.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Key words and focus topics explored in this paper include Shakespeare, Macbeth, gender, femininity, masculinity, chivalry, natural order, regicide, witches, social construction, Elizabethan England, King James I, and the historical sources of the play.- Quote paper
- Vinzent Fröhlich (Author), 2007, The construction of femininity and masculinity in Shakespeare`s Macbeth, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/87513
