Essential Question: Through examining the Macbeths and comparing them to how other characters either abide by or defy their gender roles, our group will determine if, according to this work, it is more progressive or destructive to break free of the gender roles dictated by an individual’s society?
Characters in Macbeth often go in and out of abiding by gender roles, while some prefer to remain ambiguous. Ultimately, this work argues that it is more destructive to break free of gender roles. While Macbeth appears to be the perfect man at the beginning (brave, strong soldier), Lady Macbeth questions his manhood and manipulates him, which ultimately causes chaos. Macduff, on the other hand, follows set gender roles and is able to restore order to the world. Lady Macbeth becomes power hungry and persuades Macbeth to kill Duncan, showing the dangers of not following gender roles. Lady Macduff acts as a foil to Lady Macbeth, showing what can happen when people do not follow their gender roles and cause chaos. Finally, there are those who go without gender for a period of time. The weird sisters have characteristics of both men and women and are not bound by specific gender roles. Although they draw power from their ability to draw on spirits, their lack of gender roles leads to chaos and corruption. When Lady Macbeth calls to have the spirits "unsex" her, it causes her to persuade Macbeth to murder Duncan, leading to destruction and chaos in the kingdom. When these characters break free from certain societal guidelines, they bring destruction.
Characters in Macbeth often go in and out of abiding by gender roles, while some prefer to remain ambiguous. Ultimately, this work argues that it is more destructive to break free of gender roles. While Macbeth appears to be the perfect man at the beginning (brave, strong soldier), Lady Macbeth questions his manhood and manipulates him, which ultimately causes chaos. Macduff, on the other hand, follows set gender roles and is able to restore order to the world. Lady Macbeth becomes power hungry and persuades Macbeth to kill Duncan, showing the dangers of not following gender roles. Lady Macduff acts as a foil to Lady Macbeth, showing what can happen when people do not follow their gender roles and cause chaos. Finally, there are those who go without gender for a period of time. The weird sisters have characteristics of both men and women and are not bound by specific gender roles. Although they draw power from their ability to draw on spirits, their lack of gender roles leads to chaos and corruption. When Lady Macbeth calls to have the spirits "unsex" her, it causes her to persuade Macbeth to murder Duncan, leading to destruction and chaos in the kingdom. When these characters break free from certain societal guidelines, they bring destruction.