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!
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
Research Objectives and Key Topics
This paper examines how Shakespeare constructs male and female identities within the tragic framework of Macbeth, specifically focusing on the destruction and subsequent restoration of "natural order." It explores the historical concepts of gender and chivalry that inform character development and analyses the marital interaction between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth in the context of their pursuit of power.
- The construction of masculinity through the values of chivalry and warfare.
- The role of femininity and the "Elizabethan Housewife" archetype.
- The influence of supernatural forces and gender ambiguity in the witches.
- The impact of sterility and lack of lineage on Macbeth's trajectory toward tyranny.
- The contrast between King Duncan's "natural order" and the chaos of the regicide.
Excerpt from the Book
Masculinity in Shakespeare`s Macbeth
Shakespeare lived in a time that had seen chivalry in decline (Wells 12). During the Renaissance in England chivalry was an “antiquated system” bearing little resemblance to contemporary social and military reality (Wells 13). Although horsed knights with helmets, swords, lances and breastplates had already been replaced with troops of soldiers with guns and pistols, the image of the chivalrous knight was by far not out of society`s mind and contemporary fashion (Smith 44). It was immensely popular among noblemen and gentlemen in Renaissance England to have their portraits painted in the style of chivalry (Ibid.). This may be the reason why Shakespeare decided to place another tragedy in “a ceremonial feudal world”, in which the chivalrous knight epitomizes the ideal of manliness (Smith 45).
Macbeth is not the first Shakespearean play set in the world of chivalry. But why did Shakespeare create another play, in which the chivalrous knight is the masculine ideal? Firstly, Shakespeare was fascinated by the world of chivalry and in favour of the humanist ideas of chivalry (Meron 5). Secondly, staging a play in a historical setting gave Shakespeare “a greater literary freedom” to express critical ideas (Ibid).
In Macbeth masculinity equals chivalry. An ideal knight showed more than “loyalty” to those he served. He also showed “solidarity” to his kinsmen and “orthodoxy” in the conduct of his duties (Long 54).
Summary of Chapters
The Sources of the Play: Provides historical context regarding the play's origins, its connection to Holinshed’s Chronicles, and Shakespeare's tactical alterations to suit King James I.
Masculinity in Shakespeare`s Macbeth: Establishes that the play is set in a ceremonial feudal world where the chivalrous knight serves as the primary masculine ideal.
The Values of Chivalry: Defines chivalry as a normative ideal of masculinity based on principles like justice, loyalty, honour, and mercy.
The Duties of Chivalrous Knights: Outlines the responsibilities of the knight, emphasizing courage, military prowess, and the protection of the weak.
King Duncan`s “Natural Order”: Characterizes Duncan as a benevolent ruler whose personality blends both male and female traits to maintain social and political harmony.
Macbeth`s Development from Scotland`s Saviour, to Scotland`s Criminal King and Bloody Tyrant: Traces Macbeth’s transformation from a brave, albeit brutal, warrior to a paranoid tyrant devoid of moral compass.
Sterility as the Underlying Reason for Macbeth`s Violence: Argues that Macbeth’s inability to produce an heir and pass on a crown triggers his irrational envy and destructive ambition.
Banquo: Perfect Knight or Villain?: Examines Banquo’s dual nature as an honourable comrade who nonetheless harbors secret ambitions and remains complicit in Macbeth's rise.
Macduff: The Epitome of Chivalry?: Presents Macduff as the true chivalric hero who tempers martial valour with human emotion and empathy.
Malcolm: Hope for a Restored “Natural Order”?: Analyzes Malcolm’s potential as the legitimate successor and the restoration of order, despite his initial ambiguous political tactics.
Femininity in Shakespeare`s Macbeth: Discusses the gender roles of the Elizabethan era and how they are applied to the female characters in the play.
The Elizabethan Housewife: Details the patriarchal limitations placed on women during the 16th century and their expected role in the domestic sphere.
Humble Lady Macduff: Highlights Lady Macduff as a domestic figure who contrasts with the unnaturalness of the other female characters.
Witches as a Social and Political Problem in Shakespeare`s England: Explores the contemporary superstition surrounding witchcraft and its perception as a threat to state and society.
Between the Genders: The Witches in Macbeth: Discusses the androgyny and supernatural influence of the weird sisters, interpreting them as catalysts for chaos.
Macbeth and Lady Macbeth: Marital Fulfillment in Regicide: Analyzes the couple’s intense, destructive relationship and how their bond is cemented through the shared act of murder.
Key Words
Macbeth, Shakespeare, Gender, Chivalry, Masculinity, Femininity, Regicide, Natural Order, Witches, Elizabethan, Patriarchy, Identity, Power, Violence, Sterility
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research paper?
This paper explores the construction of female and male identities in Shakespeare’s Macbeth, analysing how the play reflects and challenges the chivalric and patriarchal ideals of the Elizabethan era.
What are the central themes discussed in this analysis?
The study centres on the tension between "natural order" and chaos, the role of gendered violence, the influence of ambition on masculinity, and the portrayal of women within a rigid social hierarchy.
What is the primary research question?
The essay investigates how Shakespeare assigns roles to female and male characters in the destruction and restoration of the political order, while questioning how gender boundaries are navigated or crossed.
Which scientific methods are utilized?
The work employs literary analysis, incorporating feminist discourse and historical context to interpret the characters and their motives through the lens of early modern social structures.
What does the main body cover?
The body provides a character-by-character analysis, contrasting the "ideal" chivalric knights (Macduff) with the "failed" ones (Macbeth and Banquo), and evaluates the female characters through the lens of contemporary historical and social norms.
What are the primary keywords associated with this text?
Key terms include Macbeth, gender construction, chivalry, patriarchy, regicide, and the societal impact of witchcraft in Elizabethan England.
How does sterility influence Macbeth’s character development?
The paper argues that Macbeth’s lack of children creates a "fruitless crown," leading to a deep psychological crisis that manifests as irrational violence and resentment toward those with living heirs.
Is Lady Macbeth simply a villain?
The analysis portrays Lady Macbeth as a character who attempts to renounce her "feminine" nature to align with a masculine code of violence, but concludes that her subsequent psychological breakdown highlights her inability to permanently shed her humanity.
What role does Banquo’s ghost play in the interpretation of masculinity?
The ghost serves as a catalyst for Macbeth's loss of composure; his appearance exposes Macbeth’s inability to maintain the "manly" facade expected of a king, symbolizing the moral superiority of those who have heirs.
- 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
