Macbeth Act 1
I want to begin by expressing my love for Shakespeare. His work, especially Macbeth, is just so funny.
But I was annoyed by the misogyny noted in this act. Shakespeare is making Lady Macbeth seem like a monster. She's constantly noted manipulating her husband. She even calls on supernatural spirits to "unsex her." (Act 1, Scene 5, Line 48). So basically she can only be strong if she's male. Macbeth says, "I dare do all that may become a man." (Act 1, Scene 7, Line 51). Men are noted as superior, and that everyone should try and be a man, even women. There are also three witches that instigate Macbeth to commit heinous crimes.
It's interesting to me that Macbeth tolerates such abuse from his wife especially in an era where men solely reign. He seems like such a wimp. At times I feel bad for him but he does nothing to help himself.
I love that Macbeth doubted his plan to kill the king, showing he still had some sense in him, but the misogyny in the play was heightened when Lady Macbeth forced him to go along with original plan.
I'm also seeing a rule of three...3 witches...3 prophecies.
But I was annoyed by the misogyny noted in this act. Shakespeare is making Lady Macbeth seem like a monster. She's constantly noted manipulating her husband. She even calls on supernatural spirits to "unsex her." (Act 1, Scene 5, Line 48). So basically she can only be strong if she's male. Macbeth says, "I dare do all that may become a man." (Act 1, Scene 7, Line 51). Men are noted as superior, and that everyone should try and be a man, even women. There are also three witches that instigate Macbeth to commit heinous crimes.
It's interesting to me that Macbeth tolerates such abuse from his wife especially in an era where men solely reign. He seems like such a wimp. At times I feel bad for him but he does nothing to help himself.
I love that Macbeth doubted his plan to kill the king, showing he still had some sense in him, but the misogyny in the play was heightened when Lady Macbeth forced him to go along with original plan.
I'm also seeing a rule of three...3 witches...3 prophecies.
I noticed that too! This is similar to how in Valley of Fear, Mrs. Douglas is painted to be some sort of evil whore in Watson's eyes after he saw her conspiring with Mr. Douglas's friend. Misogyny seems like a common theme amongst the novels that we've been reading. Good observation!!
ReplyDelete