-Ambiguity between gender roles eg. witches in opening scene (act aggressively and authoritatively yet have minimal powers; are female yet have beards)
-Reason for gender ambiguity: Certain qualities associated with both genders
-Macbeth's Scotland = world of constant war with 'heroic' culture
-In 'heroic' worlds, women must become men & fight = loss of women to culture = subject of tragedy
-Macbeth = butcher & hero (lives in culture that values butchery)
-Reference of manhood to ability to kill
-Power = highest value in Scotland
-Civilised world is bound in accordance with a principle of nature (equivalent to the divine law) Ã law, custom, hierarchy, tradition
-Civilised world harmonises the 2 gender principles
-Civilised world still demands a degree of subordination - everyone must relinquish worldly power
-Ones with power must restrain it, ones without must accept it otherwise life = hell
-Law bind themselves; not enforced -> Macbeth chooses to break these rules
-Lady Macbeth = powerful -> drawn to idea of worldly power
-Lady Macbeth seen as exemplary wife
-Lady macbeth see's and understands the terms of the world she lives in and accepts them
-Macbeth violates moral law, Lady Macbeth violates natural law
-Lady Macbeth fails to uphold feminine principle
-Imagery is divided into masculine & feminine
-Blood & Royal Robes (M)
-Male prowess, authority & legitimacy (M)
-Babies, children, female breasts & milk (F)
-Lady Macbeth thinks Macbeth is too kind (contrast to idea of Macbeth being a 'bloody hero')
-Lady Macbeth aligns herself with male principle, wanting Macbeth to be more of a man
-Both agree manliness is the highest standard of behaviour, but they argue about what term comprehends -> Macbeth accepts Lady Macbeth's definition
-Both feel uneasy about murder yet the deed is still done
-Shakespeare suggests world has changes due to...
The sleepwalking Lady Macbeth
Sarah Siddons in the Sleepwalking Scene
The English actor Charles Kean as William Shakespe...
Macbeth
These are very good summary notes on masculine values in "Macbeth." What I especially liked about your notes was that it was quick and easy to get through them. Your notes are also well focused on a topic of importance in Shakespeare's frequently read play of the ambitious pursuit of power, which is indeed a value more often associated with men than it is with women.
Your notes would serve as a valuable tool for someone taking a test or for reference purposes. Readers should be able to efficiently spot what they need because of the summary format you have chosen to present the information. It was also helpful that you provided the source for your material so that those who wish to learn more about masculine values in "Macbeth" may do so. Great work!
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