Pursuit of Power : Macbeth and Lady Macbeth

Q) Gender and its relationship power is one of the many themes in Macbeth. Discuss Shakespeare’s explanation of the values that make up the ides of masculinity by comparing and contrasting the characters of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth in their pursuit of power.

Pursuit of power: Macbeth and Lady Macbeth

 “Gender ideology not only creates ideas about femininity but it also shapes conceptions of masculinity” (Patricia Hill Collins). In Renaissance times, men were essentially the ruling voice over everyone else. Women had no control over their role in society and their public reputation was dishonorable, immoral and a disgrace. In Shakespeare’s play Macbeth, the roles are completely altered. The two of the main characters in Macbeth were Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. In the start of the play, Macbeth is given feminine characteristics whereas Lady Macbeth is given more masculine characteristics but as the play progresses, the characteristics switch. When the play starts, Lady Macbeth is portrayed as the more masculine person in their relationship but as the play goes on, Macbeth becomes the one with masculinity. Despite of their gender and masculinity, both lady Macbeth and Macbeth are motivated by their ambition and both of the characters are guilty of their crimes at some points in their lives.

In the beginning of the play, the masculinity is depicted by Lady Macbeth. When she receives the letter from Macbeth about the three prophecies he had received from the witches, she is already coming up with the idea and the plan of killing king Duncan and Macbeth becoming the king. She knows, that this will not be an easy task, as she had to push Macbeth in doing it because he is so noble that he will not do such violent act. She says, “You are Thane of Glamis, and also of Cawdor; and you will be…...you that crown (1.5.13-20). Also, when Macbeth lists the reasons for not killing king Duncan, Lady Macbeth challenges his manhood and convinces him to commit the crime. She does that by manipulating Macbeth by saying, “Art thou afeard/ to be the same in thine own act and valor/ As thou art in desire? Wouldst thou have that/ which thou esteem’st the ornament of life, and live a coward in thine own esteem.” (1.7.42-46). This shows that Lady Macbeth is basically the “man” in their relationship. She has total control over Macbeth’s Actions. However, after committing the crime of killing king Duncan, Macbeth starts becoming more independent.

After doing the deadly deed of killing king Duncan, Macbeth becomes self-governing. He does not feel like including Lady Macbeth in his immoral actions anymore. This can be seen when Macbeth plans the whole murder of Banquo and his son Fleance, but do not feel the necessity of including or telling Lady Macbeth about the next crime he is going to commit. The whole time, Lady Macbeth is unaware of Macbeth’s actions. And afterward the killing of Banquo, when Macbeth meets the witches and the apparition of a bloody child tells him to beware Macduff, Macbeth says, “Time, you foresee my dreadful undertaking/a hasty…. Both thought and done.” (4.1.159-164). This shows that how Macbeth’s character has changed after he killed King Duncan. He has now become more powerful, masculine and confidant. He does not think twice before committing the crime as he did when he kills king Duncan. Macbeth has gone from a Really noble and loyal person to a deadly monster who kills everyone. But, regardless of the masculinity and the gender of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth, both of them are highly motivated by their ambition.

Lady Macbeth is a very ambitious woman in the play. She will go to any limits, just to get what she wants. In the beginning of the play, right after when she receives the letter from Macbeth and plans about killing king Duncan, she calls upon the dark spirits to change her sexuality because she knows that his husband is to noble and kind to do such lethal deed. She says, “come, you spirits …. stop, stop” (1.5.42-56). This shows how ambitious she is about killing king Duncan and seeing her husband becoming the king of Scotland, that she can call out the “dark” spirits to change her. Macbeth shares the same characteristics of an ambitious person as Lady Macbeth.