Essay on Macbeth Reverse Gender Roles - 758 Words

Gina Amato Mrs. Simos P.4 11/22/10 Title It is inevitable that society has made a stereotype for the definition on what it means to be a man or a woman, it was stated and believed a long time ago and has just moved through life, generation after generation. Society believes that men are the workers and providers and essentially the strength of the family, and women take more of a nurturing and caring role. From this, a man’s physical strength is portrayed as being strong and brave at superior and horrific times, yet through literature like Shakespeare’s Macbeth, it shows that they can end up weak. There are many times in William Shakespeare’s play, Macbeth, where the acts of â€Å"reverse-gender roles† are being detected in terms of what†¦show more content†¦We really don’t know society just labled a man to be strong at all times and a women to be weak, but that is not the truth in all cases. As the play continues, in the acts three and four the gender roles of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth make a big switch when Macbeth is planning on the killing of Banquo. Macbeth beings to act more masculine before this murder and in a sense leaves his lady out of what is going on this time, instead of her taking charge like before, Be innocent of the knowledge, dearest chuck, Till thou applaud the deed. Come, seeling night, Scarf up the tender eye of pitiful day; And with thy bloody and invisible hand Cancel and tear to pieces that great bond Which keeps me pale! Light thickens; and the crow Makes wing to the rooky wood: Good things of day begin to droop and drowse; While nights black agents to their preys do rouse Thou marvellst at my words: but hold thee still; Things bad begun make strong themselves by ill. So, prithee, go with me. (3.2, ).† As of now, Macbeth is portraying the actions of what society believes a man should act like. He is now telling her that he has a plan to kill Banquo but he is not going to tell her the details, he wants her not to worry because he believes he has everything under control. Macbeth is trying to be what it takes to be a man but when a person is power hungry they always seem to fail. The last look onShow MoreRelatedIn History It Is Often Taught That Even Events That Occurred1499 Words   |  6 Pagesthe Global Theatre on the outskirts of London. First performed in 1606, Shakespeare’s play Macbeth tells the story of a Scottish man named Macbeth who is in a constant struggle in wishing to obtain power but consequences that could potentially follow. Through violence and a push from his wife, Macbeth makes it to power before facing an unexpected death. 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