Gender
English Lit: AQA GCSE Macbeth, topic 1.1.3
Men and Women
In Jacobean times (the time when James I of England was in power), women were expected to be subordinate to their husbands.
Women being subordinate
- This means women were supposed to obey their husbands.
- If the women argued, they could be beaten. Parents raised women to believe that men were more important than they were.
- It was definitely not expected that a man would treat his wife as an equal.
Powerful women in Shakespeare
- However, Shakespeare made a lot of his leading women strong characters – this may have been a reflection of having Elizabeth I on the throne just before James I.
- In Macbeth, Lady Macbeth seems to be a very powerful character – she encourages her husband to murder King Duncan, and pressures him by implying that he is a worthless coward if he does not.
- Ultimately, though, he develops a hunger for power which overtakes his care for his wife.
Expectations of men
- Men with status in society were expected to behave in an honourable way and show qualities like loyalty and bravery.
- Macbeth begins the play by being brave and honourable, risking his life to fight for his king and country.
- However, he soon dishonours himself by being disloyal to King Duncan and his other comrades.
Test yourself on Gender
Which of these is NOT something that Lady Macbeth says or does even though it fits with her strong character?