Question

(ESSAY) How is Macbeth a play exploring the male identity? What representations of masculism or masculinity does the play put forward? What is Shakespeare attempting to express concerning the male identity?

Answer 1

Answer:

Shakespeare’s Macbeth is a play that explores the male identity. Lady Macbeth in the play helps in the investigation of gender issues. She manipulates her husband to kill Duncan and singlehandedly demonstrates all the manly qualities. Gender is out of the traditional order completely. How? Representations of masculinity – the disruption is presented through "Lady Macbeth's usurpation" of the dominant role in Macbeth's marriage. Most of the time and in many occasions, she rules and dictates her husband’s actions. Also, the disruption represented in the weird sisters who are shown to have a violating nature. Designated as sisters, the gender is also ambivalent. Their facial hair represents their influence in the "affairs" of the "male-dominated society". Shakespeare attempting to express concerning the male identity, uses the witches and the question of their "gender" as a "device". He criticizes the "male-dominated culture" this way .