Discuss the representation of
Discuss the representation ofMen dominated Elizabethan times. It was a patriarchal society. Women needed to conform to the social expectations. They were not supposed to show off their bodies. Their dresses had high, choking necklines, a plate that flattened their bosom, and layers of cloth that made them appear larger than they really were on the hips. The ideal picture of beauty was fair-skinned, red hair, high foreheads and very thin eyebrows. They spoke softly and did not express their opinions openly. Women were expected to be good wives and mothers, and they had to obey their fathers or husbands, because in a patriarchal society, women were possessions, and were basically owned by males. In William Shakespeare's Macbeth, however, Shakespeare constructs female characters that endorse this ideal and some that challenge it. The three types of female characters in this play are, the active female, Lady Macbeth, the passive female, Lady Macduff, and the we�rd sisters, who are those to be afraid of. All of who are very different to each other. In Shakespeare's plays, especially, the audience familiarizes themselves with the representation of women by their own dialogues, and what other characters say about them. The dramatic techniques Shakespeare uses to construct his female characters are the setting, the character's dialogue, including asides, and what other people say about them, especially behind their backs. Lady Macbeth and Lady Macduff are two very different characters, and there is plenty of binary opposition between them. The weird sisters, on the other hand, are 'things to be afraid of'. These characters give the audience an indication of how women were represented in Macbeth. Lady Macbeth is Macbeth's wife. There are many minor references to her beauty throughout the play. Outwardly, she conforms to the social expectations, but her true character is an active one. She is ambitious, manipulative, remorseful and ruthless. Lady Macbeth would do anything it takes to gain power. Being the dominant and more assertive character behind Macbeth's sordid activities, she is duplicitous as she can act the part of the good wife, and the quiet well-behaved female in front of others. However, when she is alone, or only with Macbeth, she is an evil and conspiring lady. Lady Macbeth's dialogue shows aspects of her personality in different areas. Her greed and power makes her ruthless, "Lady Macbeth: Fill me from the crown to the toe top full of direst cruelty. (Act 1 Sc. 5 Ln 41)"These words are very powerful, and they say that she would want to be filled with cruelty just for her desire to be queen. She is also quick thinking. She knows what she wants, and knows Macbeth probably better than he knows himself, and hence knows how to 'protect' him. "Lady Macbeth: Your hand, your tongue; look like th'innocent Flower, but be the serpent under't.(Act 1 Sc. 5 Ln 63-64)" She also is extremely manipulative, as she dares him to be a 'man' and not a coward by convincing him to kill Duncan....
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