Gender Roles

subversion of femininity

“Come, you spirits / That tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here.” a1s5

Femininity is a natural healer and empowering, not weak:

“Poor bird! thou’dst never fear the net nor lime, / The pitfall nor the gin.” (Act 4, Scene 2)The context of the scene is that Macduff has fled to England, and Lady Macduff is worried about their safety. The arrival of a messenger soon confirms that the castle is indeed under threat, and the scene tragically ends with Lady Macduff and her son being murdered on Macbeth's orders.

“He loves us not; / He wants the natural touch.” – Lady Macduff (4.2) This line clearly conveys Lady Macduff's feeling that Macduff is not acting in her and her children's best interests. 

toxic Masculinity

“When you durst do it, then you were a man.” a1s7
Lady Macbeth equates masculinity with murder, manipulating Macbeth by questioning his manhood.

true masculinity

"I must feel it as a man" a4s3 macduff) Challenging idea of men as violent and emotionless

consequences of toxic fem

“Out, damned spot!” a5s1 - believing femininity to be weak and riding herself of it brings regret

consequences of toxic masc

“I am in blood / Stepp’d in so far, that, should I wade no more, / Returning were as tedious as go o’er.” (Act 3, Scene 4) Macbeth is speaking in response to the news of the death of Fleance, which he believes is the result of his own actions.