macbeth
There are many hidden patterns in Macbeth that are crucial to the meaning of the play; conflict between genders being one of the most significant. Each gender has specific roles associated to it that are expected from society. Lady Macbeth challenges traditional gender roles in order to attain power but in the end she ultimately fails.
“Come, you spirits that tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here, and fill me from the crown to the toe top-full of direst cruelty (I.v.47-50).” Lady Macbeth wants to become king, but she isn’t a guy. In this quote she says she wants to be “unsexed,” which could be taken two different ways. Either she wants to become a man or, a more interesting interpretation, she wants all gender to be taken away from her. In both cases she wants to not be a woman so that she can be filled with “direst cruelty.” A woman at the time was only supposed to be warm and nurturing so she can only dream of being full of terrible cruelty; cruelty is the role of a man. If she meant by “unsex me” that she wanted to have all gender be diminished in her then the importance of the end of the quote increases. This would mean that she believes that the ability to be cruel and powerful does not belong to any gender at all, crumbling the barrier associated with gender and power.
“Infirm of purpose! Give me the daggers (II.ii.68).” Lady Macbeth is made out to look more masculine than Macbeth is shown to be. After the murder she is calm and collected while Macbeth is anxious and afraid. She exerts power over him and directs him to follow her orders. She is taking charge, a typical role of men, while Macbeth doesn’t know what to do. This proves that Lady Macbeth is capable of leading and that the ability to lead is not based on gender. “You lack the season of all natures, sleep (III.iv.174).” this is another example of her power over Macbeth. Not only does she tell him he is going insane (about the ghost) but orders him to sleep. Putting him to sleep essentially
“Come, you spirits that tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here, and fill me from the crown to the toe top-full of direst cruelty (I.v.47-50).” Lady Macbeth wants to become king, but she isn’t a guy. In this quote she says she wants to be “unsexed,” which could be taken two different ways. Either she wants to become a man or, a more interesting interpretation, she wants all gender to be taken away from her. In both cases she wants to not be a woman so that she can be filled with “direst cruelty.” A woman at the time was only supposed to be warm and nurturing so she can only dream of being full of terrible cruelty; cruelty is the role of a man. If she meant by “unsex me” that she wanted to have all gender be diminished in her then the importance of the end of the quote increases. This would mean that she believes that the ability to be cruel and powerful does not belong to any gender at all, crumbling the barrier associated with gender and power.
“Infirm of purpose! Give me the daggers (II.ii.68).” Lady Macbeth is made out to look more masculine than Macbeth is shown to be. After the murder she is calm and collected while Macbeth is anxious and afraid. She exerts power over him and directs him to follow her orders. She is taking charge, a typical role of men, while Macbeth doesn’t know what to do. This proves that Lady Macbeth is capable of leading and that the ability to lead is not based on gender. “You lack the season of all natures, sleep (III.iv.174).” this is another example of her power over Macbeth. Not only does she tell him he is going insane (about the ghost) but orders him to sleep. Putting him to sleep essentially