Summary notes on Masculine Values in Shakespeare's 'Macbeth'

-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 …

…can no longer distinguish the elements it was designed to protect -Totally masculine world -> courage, prowess, ability to kill dominate (compassion, nurturance & mercy not in balance) -Shakespeare saw dangers to society of the world granting priority to masculine principle -Macbeth does not kill out of passion but out of reason -> wants power! -> Forgets values of life Sources: 'Macbeth' and Masculine Values by Marilyn French