Gender & Masculinity

Question 1

Which quote shows Lady Macbeth rejecting traditional femininity to gain power?

Answer 1

“Unsex me here” (Act 1, Scene 5)
Theme: Gender / Power
Technique: Imperative / Metaphor
Meaning: Lady Macbeth wants to remove her womanhood to become ruthless.

Question 2

Which quote shows Lady Macbeth questioning Macbeth’s manhood to manipulate him?

Answer 2

“When you durst do it, then you were a man” (Act 1, Scene 7)
Theme: Masculinity / Ambition
Technique: Rhetoric / Emotional manipulation
Meaning: She shames Macbeth into proving himself through violence.

Question 3

Which quote shows Macbeth linking manhood to honour and restraint?

Answer 3

“I dare do all that may become a man; who dares do more is none” (Act 1, Scene 7)
Theme: Masculinity / Honour
Technique: Declarative / Rhetoric
Meaning: Macbeth believes true manhood is about honour, not excess violence.

Question 4

Which quote shows Lady Macbeth equating cruelty with masculinity?

Answer 4

“Come to my woman’s breasts, and take my milk for gall” (Act 1, Scene 5)
Theme: Gender / Power / Violence
Technique: Metaphor / Contrast
Meaning: She wants to replace nurturing femininity with poison and cruelty.