Role Reversal of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth - 1588 Words

As Shakespeare’s tragic tale of ambition unfolds, the two central characters, Lady Macbeth and the title character Macbeth, undergo a dramatic shift of dominance in their relationship. In the beginning of the play the couple act as a team, plotting the death of Duncan to further their mutual bloodthirsty ambition. Lady Macbeth soon shows her power over Macbeth when she questions her husband’s manhood and devotion to her when he gets cold feet. As Macbeth’s confidence slowly grows and the witches proclaim positive futures for him he begins to separate himself from his wife, planning Banquo’s assassination without telling her, and no longer being susceptible to her insults. By the end of the play the roles have completely switched and†¦show more content†¦In other words, if he refuses to follow through on their plan it shows he doesnt really love her, and hes a coward, no better than the poor cat i the adage (1.7.45), who wants a fish, but doesnt wa nt to get its feet wet. She is using tactics of manipulation and emotional blackmail to force her husband to commit murder. These tactics once again show her dominance in their relationship and demonstrate her ruthless and powerful character. Macbeth tries to defend himself by saying, I dare do all that may become a man; / Who dares do more is none (1.7.46-47), but Lady Macbeth does not listen and declares that shes more man than he is: I have given suck, and know How tender tis to love the babe that milks me: I would, while it was smiling in my face Have pluckd my nipple from his boneless gums And dashd the brains out, had I so sworn as you Have done to this. (1.7.54-59) She suggests that she would kill a newborn baby in her care if he asked it of her. By using such a crude and emotionally intense example she makes him feel guilty, forcing him to go against his better judgment and do as she wishes. Lady Macbeth has now won the argument, using her skills of manipulation, and Macbeth agrees to kill Duncan. These first few scenes between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth show reversed gender stereotype roles as Lady Macbeth demonstrates herShow MoreRelatedThe Role Reversal Between Macbeth Lady Macbeth1480 Words   |  6 Pagesplay Macbeth by Shakespeare, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth’s way of thinking get switched. The main reasons for this are the three witches. They told Macbeth and his trustworthy friend, Banquo, that he would be Thane of Glamis, which he already is, Thane of Cawdor, and the king of Scotland. Banquo was told he would father kings. They were both sceptic of these prophecies, but once Macbeth soon became Thane of Cawdor he started believing in what the witches told him. Once he sees Lady Macbeth, afterRead MoreRole Reversal in Shakespeare’s Macbeth Essay544 Words   |  3 PagesIn William Shakespeare’s play, Macbeth, two main characters experience a change that alters their roles and brings out the worst in them. After Macbeth is promised greatness by th ree witches on a heath, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth try to achieve his prophecy. Because of their over-reaching ambition, they commit numerous murders to obtain their goal of becoming royalty. In order to cope with the guilt, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth undergo a role reversal, where they exchange characters and amount of ambitionRead MoreMacbeth by William Shakespeare1293 Words   |  5 PagesThe play, â€Å"Macbeth† is one of William Shakespeare’s tragic plays written approximately in 1606. The play centres on Macbeth who is a general in King Duncan’s army. Upon returning from a successful battle, Macbeth is confronted by three witches who claim they know the future. The three witches tell Macbeth that he will be the future King. The events that occur after this encounter between Macbeth and the witches are what makes this play a tragedy. This essay will focus on the treatment of gender inRead MoreGender And Gender Roles In Macbeth By William Shakespeare1043 Words   |  5 PagesIn Macbeth by William Shakespeare, gender plays a pivotal role in the development of the overall plot and as the play advances, certain characters, including Macbeth and Lady Macbeth experience a reversal in traditional gender behaviors. Additionally, we see gender confusion among other characters that enhances conflict in the play. Originally, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are portrayed in ways that enforce their respective masculinity and feminism in accordance to the society around them. As MacbethRead MoreMacbeth Gender Roles Essay807 Words   |  4 PagesWilliam Shakespeare’s tragedy â€Å"Macbeth† completely challenges the idea of traditional gender roles and social norms during the renaissance period. The male characters have many feminine traits while the female characters have many more masculine and manlier traits. This was going entirely against the stereotypical outlook of the roles you’re supposed to play as your gender during that time of history. During the renaissance period women were only expected to clean, cook, and to have babies. Men onRead MoreLady Macbeth And Lady Macbeth : How Crime Murders Relationships1544 Words   |  7 Pages Shakespeare’s Macbeth follows the journey and downfall of the titular protagonist, and it illustrates the effects of Macbeth’s descent into villainy on his once loving and close relationship with Lady Macbeth. As their initially mutually trusting and co-dependent relationship deteriorates through the progression of the three great crimes, Shakespeare demonstrates how murder can permanently destroy a person and their relationships. Leading up to the murder of Duncan, Lady Macbeth is an influentialRead MoreThe Gender Roles Of William Shakespeare s The Tragedy Of Macbeth 989 Words   |  4 PagesThe gender roles in William Shakespeare’s, The Tragedy of Macbeth are made clear from the very first act. Masculinity is associated with strength, bravery, ruthlessn ess and apathy while femininity is usually coupled with docility, fragility and reliance. Gender, and the behavior expected from each, is a constant motif that reappears throughout the play. The instances that appear in the play reveal that the characters are expected to act according to their gender and limit their emotions and the wayRead MoreWilliam Shakespeare s Macbeth And The Witches1277 Words   |  6 PagesShakespeare’s Macbeth declares this stigma wrong. In the play, the most prominent female characters, Lady Macbeth and the Witches, are domineering and mighty, while several male characters are are attributed with weak and â€Å"woman-like† traits. Through the use of reversed gender roles, Macbeth highlights the fact that women are powerful, influential beings, capable of just as much dominance and power as men. Throughout Macbeth, Shakespeare leaves reminders of the expected gender roles of his time.Read MoreThe Compromise Of Personal Moral Standards1678 Words   |  7 PagesMacbeth: The Compromise of Personal Moral Standards Macbeth was written by William Shakespeare in the early 1600’s in the time of King James I. King James I was James VI of Scotland before succeeding to the crown of England in the early 1600’s. Macbeth was written to please King James I as he had a desire to study the supernatural and their ability to control fate. The idea that everything moral has an evil counterpart can cause someone to struggle to maintain or regain their moral standards isRead MoreEssay on Role Reversal in William Shakespeare’s Play Macbeth1258 Words   |  6 PagesWilliam Shakespeare’s play Macbeth has a few main themes, one of which is role reversal. Macbeth is portrayed as a strong, fierce, and trustworthy soldier. At this stage in the story he had a conscience, and had a boundary between good and bad. However, Lady Macbeth is depicted as a devious and an extreme organizer, without a good sense of what is right and wrong. She would do anything in order to obtain supreme authority. Gradually they both change their views of power, treatment of one another