Masculinity in "Macbeth"

The Theme of Masculinity in "Macbeth" by William Shakepseare

"Yet I do fear thy nature. It is too full of the milk of human kindness." Act I, Scene V

• Lady Macbeth challenges Macbeth's masculinity multiple times.
• She is saying he is not enough of a man.
• Milk: symbol of nurturing.

Lady Macbeth Representing Femininity

"Had he not resembled my father as he slept, I had done't." Act II, Scene II

• This is the first time we see a more sentimental, empirical, even feminine side of Lady Macbeth.
• First chiasma: Lady Macbeth is now feminine (sentimental), and now Macbeth is more masculine (logical).

Macbeth Representing Femininity

"My thought, whose murder yet is but fantastical, shakes so my single state of man." Act I, Scene II

• Masculinity: logic prevails over feelings.
• Shakes = unsteady
• Fear: Macbeth feels fear towards the idea.
• Threat to his masculinity.

Macbeth Representing Masculinity

"She should have died hereafter; there would have been time for such a word." Act V, Scene V

• Reaction: very masculine & logical.
• Contrast: Macbeth initially & Macbeth finally.
• No sentiment at all, he does not weep for his wife.
• Tone: apathetic.
• Prose = degeneration.

Macduff Epitomizes Masculinity & Lady Macduff Epitomizes Femininity

"And let the angle whom thou still hast served tell thee, Macduff was from his mother's womb untimely ripped." Sct V, Scene VIII

• Climax of the play.
• Laguage: very violent (untimely ripped)
• Image: Macduff's birth was extremely violent.
• Contrast: birth is something natural and pure; feminine
• Macduff's birth: violent & masculine.

Lady Macbeth Representing Masculinity

Lady Macbeth Representing Masculinity

Lady Macbeth Representing Masculinity

Lady Macbeth Representing Masculinity

Lady Macbeth Representing Femininity

Lady Macbeth Representing Femininity

"A foolish thought to say a sorry sight." Act II, Scene II

• Macbeth is the one who is worried and who is thinking about the situation. He is sentimental and feminine.
• Lady Macbeth is much more logical, rational and masculine.
• Tone: dry

Macbeth Representing Femininity

"Come to my woman's breasts and take my milk for gall." Act I, Scene V

• Milk: symbol of nurturing and femininity.
• Gall: acid that decomposes food; opposite of milk.
• Masculinity (gall) superior to femininity (milk).
• Tone: violent, masculine & commanding.

"Unsex me here." Act I, Scene V

• Lady Macbeth favors masculinity over femininity.
• Women are not strong enough; capable.
• Tone: violent, commanding & masculine

Macbeth Representing Femininity

"Off this dead butcher and his friendlike queen, who, as 'tis thought, by self and violent hands took off her life." Act V, Scene VIII

• All the women in the play have died.
• Women (sentimentalism) = Inferiority
• Lack of endurance, strength (Lady Macduff) and logic (Lady Macbeth).

"Wash your hands, put on your night gown, look not so pale. I tell you yet again, Banquo's buried. He cannot come out on's grave." Act V, Scene I

• Lady Macbeth becomes vulnerable & feminine.
• Chiasma between Lady Macbeth & Macbeth.
• She is fussing at her husband because he over thinks things: Ironic
• Cataloging: monotone tone
• Prose = degeneration of Lady Macbeth.

"I will not fight thee.

Then yield ye coward." Act V, Scene VIII

• Macbeth becomes frightened by Macduff.
• Cowardice: opposite of masculinity.
• Macduff uses masculinity to appeal to Macbeth.
• Tone: defying (Macduff)

"I am afraid to think what I have done; look on't again I dare not." Act II, Scene II

• Traits of masculinity & femininity are inverted.
• Portrait of Macbeth: impotent, frail and unmanly.
• Masculinity: apathetic and courageous.
• Tone: cowardly

Macduff

Lady Macduff Epitomizes Femininity

Macduff Epitomizes Masculinity

"Wisdom? To leave his wife, to leave his babes," Act IV, Scene II

• Lady Macbeth & Lady Macduff = foils
• Embraces femininity; sentimentalism & nurturing.
• She does not yearn to be masculine, but does say it is superiority.
• Gender roles.
• Tone: desperation

"Was my father a traitor mother?

Ay, that he was." Act IV, Scene II

• Ironic: Macduff is the embodiment of masculinity
• Masculinity: honor
• Also ironic, because he leaves his family to save his country.
• Did he betray his family?