7. Note: Role of Women Flashcards
(10 cards)
How would Shakespeare’s audience likely react to Lady Macbeth’s behaviour?
They would be shocked and see her as a warning about women who disobey their husbands or try to gain power.
This reflects societal norms and expectations of women during Shakespeare’s time.
What message might Shakespeare be sending about women and power?
That women in power are dangerous and disruptive, especially to traditional order.
This can be interpreted as a commentary on the political climate of the time.
How could Macbeth be seen as a message to King James I?
Shakespeare may be warning about the dangers of female rulers (like Elizabeth I) and trying to show loyalty to the new king.
King James I had a particular interest in the themes of kingship and governance.
How does Lady Macbeth challenge gender stereotypes in the play?
She takes on a dominant role in her marriage, manipulates Macbeth, and shows ambition—traits that were considered masculine at the time.
This inversion of gender roles highlights the complexity of her character.
What does Lady Macbeth mean when she asks to be ‘unsexed’?
She wants to get rid of her feminine qualities like kindness and weakness so she can carry out cruel and violent acts.
This request underscores her desire to embrace traditionally masculine traits.
How does Shakespeare use Lady Macbeth to explore the theme of power and control?
He shows that when a woman seeks power and control, it disrupts the natural order and leads to tragedy, which would have resonated with a Jacobean audience.
The theme reflects societal anxieties regarding gender and authority.
What happens to Lady Macbeth by the end of the play, and what does it suggest?
She becomes mentally broken and takes her own life. This suggests that defying gender roles and moral order has dangerous consequences.
This outcome serves as a cautionary tale about overstepping societal boundaries.
How do the Witches also challenge traditional female roles?
They are powerful, mysterious, and control fate, but they are also unnatural and frightening—showing that women with power were seen as threatening.
Their portrayal reflects the fear of female power in a patriarchal society.
How does Lady Macduff represent traditional female roles in the play?
She is a mother and loyal wife, and criticizes her husband for leaving their family. She shows what was expected of women—but she is still punished with death, showing the danger of being powerless too.
Her fate illustrates the vulnerability of women who adhere to societal expectations.
