macbeth

Act 1

Praised and celebrated by other characters as they compliment bravery and violence (masculine associations)

However first scene is with witches so character is already plagued with inconsistencies, supernatural, contradictions and insecurities

The idea of 2 destinies conflicting in him

Soliloquies are full of debars and often change the outcome of his opinion

Weak will, impressionable and linked to fragile masculinity and hamartia

Craves respect and power

Act 1 quotes

Brave Macbeth

Worthy gentleman

So foul and fair

Why do u dress me in borrow’d robes?

And nothing is, but what is not

If we should fail?

Let not light see my black and deep desires

Plead like angels / newborn babe / heavens cherubin

I dare do all that may become a man

Act 2

Similar to act 1

Conflict gets more extreme as he evolves

Between ambition and guilt (not conscience anymore)

Seemingly inexorable descent into violence

Paranoid and kills as a form of protection

Act 2 quotes

Is this a dagger which I see before me?

Proceeding from the heat oppressed brain?

Overall

Eponymous (named after play)

Takes on masculine noble role at start to fall from

Maintains feminine role in relationship (intent: straying from gender norms leaves you vulnerable for corruption)

Predestination

Gender

Ambiguous

A toxic example of repressive, obsessive masculinity

Fear of emasculation yet hold feminine features

Believes if he doesn’t pursue ambition, he’ll be effeminate

Arguably wants to be king to prove manhood

Religion

No explicit mentions of God but heavily religious audiences understand fear of being denied from heaven

Sacrificing eternal life for power on earth now

Lost gods protection when “in most need if a blessing”

Homosociality

Often had male friends in patriarchal societies so shocking to kill his closest friends

Goes against values he was taught

Audiences

Rooting for Macbeth = moral crisis = more debate / popularity as exploring different perspectives

Finally showing punishment is not empathetic

Ambition

Shows dangers of it being unchecked, unrestrained and consuming

Warning to audiences

Oblivious to morality and natural order