Macbeth: The Role of Gender and Position Essay

In Macbeth, many elements that affect the story’s plot and outcome; however, gender and position of power play the most important role of the story. For example, Lady Macbeth continuously wants to be changed into a man in order to get certain duties done that Macbeth is hesitant to do. Also, Lady Macbeth uses the power of belittling Macbeth’s masculinity to further drive his actions in the play. Lastly, the witches’ predictions of Macbeth’s future affect and change him through the position of power he will soon possess. Overall, many aspects of the play foreshadow and affect the ending of the play; however, sex (gender) and power have the biggest impact. Throughout the course of the play, Lady Macbeth constantly exerts the fact that she does not want to be a female. Lady Macbeth wants to be changed into a man because she would hold more power, and be able to escape the stereotypes associated with being a female. Such stereotypes include, not being capable to do certain activities men can, being fragile, and having a frail attitude about oneself. One example of Lady Macbeth wanting to become a male is when she states â€Å"Come, you spirits that tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here . . .† (Shakespeare 33) Lady Macbeth’s statement implies the obvious, which is, due to her being a female she is unable to murder Duncan (aside from his resemblance to her father) and wants to be â€Å"unsexed†. Another example of Lady Macbeth despising being a female is when she states â€Å"That no compunctious visitings of nature shake my fell purpose, nor keep peace between th’ effect and it,† (Shakespeare 33). Lady Macbeth’s statement basically states that she wants to be ridden of the â€Å"visitings of nature† because they distract her from her purpose and goal. Lady Macbeth’s gender affects her role in her husband’s life, and she despises the fact. Lady Macbeth continuously despises being a female. In Macbeth, Lady Macbeth constantly manipulates her husband Macbeth by testing his masculinity. In order to manipulate Macbeth and get him to do certain actions, Lady Macbeth simply makes comments testing his masculinity such as â€Å"When you durst do it, then you were a man . . .† (Shakespeare 43). In the passage, Lady Macbeth convinces Macbeth to kill Duncan because the murder will prove himself being a man. Lady Macbeth constantly uses Macbeth being a male against him. Mark Lugris states â€Å"Influenced by his wife, Lady Macbeth, the general kills the reigning King and steals the throne,† (Lugris). Lugris’ statement best explains the reason Macbeth murders Duncan. Without his wife’s influence, Macbeth probably wouldn’t have killed Duncan. Mahatma Gandhi states â€Å"Man’s nature is not essentially evil. Brute nature has been known to yield to the influence of love. You must never despair of human nature,† (Gandhi). Gandhi’s statement applies to Macbeth’s situation because, like the quote states, Macbeth is not essentially evil; however, his love for his wife influences his decisions; furthermore, the only reason Lady Macbeth has influence on Macbeth is because of her constant testing of his manhood. Lady Macbeth is able to have influence on Macbeth and his decisions because she uses his manhood against him. Throughout the play Macbeth, Macbeth’s attitudes and goals change all because of his strive for power. At the beginning of the play, Macbeth is loyal, and trustworthy. Towards the end of the play, however, Macbeth is power-hungry, delusional, and disloyal. Macbeth states â€Å"I know I am thane of Glamis, but how of Cawdor?† (Shakespeare 19). At the moment when Macbeth makes his comment doesn’t believe the witches’ predictions because he is loyal to Duncan and would never kill him; however, Macbeth ends up committing the murder of Duncan because of his crave for power. Macbeth eventually lets his new position of power get to his head and orders for Banquo, who was once his best friend, to be killed. After Banquo is murdered, Macbeth tells the murderers â€Å"Thanks for that. There the serpent lies,† (Shakespeare 101). Macbeth’s statement shows the fact that he only cares about himself. Abraham Lincoln states â€Å"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power,† (Lincoln). Lincoln’s statement applies to Macbeth because Macbeth is only corrupt when given power. Also, Jimmy Hendrix states â€Å"When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace,† (Hendrix). Jimmy’s statement demonstrates Macbeth because if Macbeth would have chosen his love for his friends and family, he wouldn’t have become corrupted by his power. Lastly, the young siward states â€Å"The devil himself could not pronounce a title more hateful to mine ear,† (Shakespeare 183). The Young Siward’s comment is a realization in the play because towards the end of Macbeth, Macbeth has built a bad reputation for himself. He was noble and just in the beginning, but now, people are fearful and hateful towards him. Macbeth has now become a tyrant due to his position of power. Overall, power greatly influences the play Macbeth. Throughout the play Macbeth, the fact is vividly clear that many themes and ideas play a role in the outcome; furthermore, the most influential factors of the play are gender, and position of power. The factors, gender and power, evolve into conflicts amongst the characters. Such conflicts include, Macbeth killing Banquo, and Lady Macbeth influencing Macbeth. Gender and power are the key elements of the play.