Macbeth: There are no Powerful Female Characters
Gender roles are explored throughout the entirety of Macbeth and throughout the work, Shakespeare maintains the notion that women are not powerful. The witches in this play are thought to be some of the most powerful characters, but never are they referred to as women. In Act one scene 3, Banquo and Macbeth first encounter the witches. Upon seeing them, Banquo describes them as other worldly, and in a state between living and dead. He declares, "By each at once her choppy finger laying/ Upon her skinny lips. You should be women/ And yet your beards forbid me to interpret/ That you are so." With this line, Shakespeare emphasizes the fact that theses powerful figures are sexually ambiguous. They have traits of women, the skinny fingers and skinny lips, but also traits of men, facial hair. The term "witch" is traced back to the latin word wicce which is feminine, but it can also be thought to originate from the Old English term wicca which is masculine and what we know today as a sorcerer or wizard. In society today, witch generally has a negative connotation and describes a woman whereas a wizard or sorcerer is seen as a wise and powerful male. Shakespeare's use of the term witch tells us that he is trying to make readers think he is portraying a powerful character as a woman, but then contradicts himself when he makes the characters sexually ambiguous. He makes the point that in order to powerful, you cannot be "completely" feminine. This is further explored with Lady Macbeth's character.
Lady Macbeth is one of the most interesting characters and her portrayal is a reflection of how Shakespeare views gender roles in their relation to power. In Act one, scene 5, we see this exemplified when Lady Macbeth receives news of the witches' prophecy and says, "Come, you spirits/ That tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here/ And fill me from the crown to the toe top-full/ Of direst cruelty. Make thick my blood." When Lady Macbeth says this she is presumed to mean that to be savage and cruel she cannot be a woman; however, this does not necessary mean that she want to be a man. Unsex me, means remove a quality of being a living being. Make her into something of a higher power. This quote of hers also implies how Shakespeare views woman. A woman cannot be intrinsically cruel, and of "thick blood" which can also mean thick skin. Women are maternal: caring, emotional and weak. Though it is very easy to interpret Lady Macbeth a "powerful woman," is she considered a woman, or something else entirely?
Lady Macbeth is one of the most interesting characters and her portrayal is a reflection of how Shakespeare views gender roles in their relation to power. In Act one, scene 5, we see this exemplified when Lady Macbeth receives news of the witches' prophecy and says, "Come, you spirits/ That tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here/ And fill me from the crown to the toe top-full/ Of direst cruelty. Make thick my blood." When Lady Macbeth says this she is presumed to mean that to be savage and cruel she cannot be a woman; however, this does not necessary mean that she want to be a man. Unsex me, means remove a quality of being a living being. Make her into something of a higher power. This quote of hers also implies how Shakespeare views woman. A woman cannot be intrinsically cruel, and of "thick blood" which can also mean thick skin. Women are maternal: caring, emotional and weak. Though it is very easy to interpret Lady Macbeth a "powerful woman," is she considered a woman, or something else entirely?
I think this is a very good point you bring up about the witches. I never thought about the fact that they have all this power but then are given such a negative connotation. And about Lady Macbeth, I do agree that Shakespeare purposefully painted Lady Macbeth’s character with dark language in order to insinuate that her character is much darker than a normal human being. I struggle to understand which way he wants the reader to interpret her as. First option, a strong and powerful woman who is almost a man. Second, she is so powerful that she is dark and demonic. All your points were very thought provoking and I liked that you chose to write your blog post about this.
ReplyDeleteI find this post to be very enlightening, especially the portion about the witches. I never noticed that the witches are never said to be women, however we see them that way. I also liked how you tied in the history of the word 'witch.' I think it really added to your post. The unsex me passage is a popular portion of discussion in our class, and I think you used it perfectly here. I would also like to add to this by bringing up the difference in how the women and men are addressed in this play. For example all the women are either nameless, such as the witches, or they are referred to by their husband's name. While, on the other hand, male characters that appear in one scene are addressed by a proper name.
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