femininity/ role of women

lady macbeth

• Biggest symbol of femininity in the play
• Displays the opposite of what is expected from women 
• Contrary to typical gender roles
• Shows the qualities usually flaunted my men
• Uses the fact that she is a female as an emotional advantage

typical roles of females

typical roles of females

• quiet • graceful • innocent • weak            
• dependent • emotional • passive • sensitive 
• flirtatious • nurturing • self-critical • soft 
• Subservient • Obedient • motherly

typical roles of a male

typical roles of a male

• independent • non-emotional • aggressive  
• Competitive  • strong
• Dominant • self-confident • hard
• Remorseless • controlling • authoritative
• tough-skinned

'androgynous'

Lady Macbeth manipulates both expectations of males and females to her cunning advantage in the play to achieve her position as the antagonist.

EXAMPLES FROM THE PLAY

Act 1 Scene 5

• Lady Macbeth's soliloquy Line 35-52 pg 25
• Pleads to be doused in capability for male qualities
• Enabling her to perform deed of murder
• Implying that a female would not be capable of act
• She calls on evil spirits to assist her in gaining male qualities

act 1 scene 5

• "Unsex me here" line 39
• Directly commands to be bathed of female weakness
• "Fill me from the crown to the toe topfull of direst cruelty" line 40-41
• Two quotes fused together yields idea that:                              
• because Lady Macbeth is a female, she is not capable of being cruel.

act 1 scene 5

• "come to my woman's breasts and take my milk for gall" line 45-46
• Gall meaning 'bitter poison' 
• Male qualities of bringing harm within a female's body
• Suggesting that although she is a female, her intentions are tainted 

act 1 scene 7

• Macbeth informs Lady Macbeth he cannot proceed with deed
• Lady Macbeth replies in soliloquy
• "how tender 'tis to love the babe that milks me" line 55
• "and dashed the brains out" line 58
• Takes authority, accusing macbeth of Cowardice and lack of manliness

Act 1 scene 7

• She would rather kill her own child than break such a promise
• Abolishes a woman's expectation of maternal love to child
• Shows her strength over Macbeth
• Shows lack of female qualities in place of a range of male qualities
• The most potent ideal of a woman-being a mother- is shunned by her

act 2 scene 3

• Upon news of death of Duncan, Lady Macbeth faints
• "help me hence, ho" (exit lady, helped) line 113/stage direction
• Uses the expectations of female weakness to mask her evil
• Deceives characters by reverting to female actions
• Removes suspicion of her guilt