![Picture](/uploads/2/7/5/1/27518871/21080.jpg)
Macbeth wear the crown of king, Lady Macbeth wears the king's crown as well.
In Macbeth the gender roles switch where the man plays the woman’s role and the woman plays the man’s role. During Shakespeare’s time there were two types of gender roles. The stereotypical female role includes being emotional, taking care of the family needs, attending to her husband’s needs. The male role, on the other hand, is very different; they are the ones that provide for the family. He isn’t supposed to show his emotions because during that time that would emasculate him. The gender roles are mixed up a little in the Macbeth. For example in act 1 scene 1 the first time women are shown are witch sisters, This represents the way that Shakespeare thought women were and what they represented. Another example is in act 1 scene 3 Banquo says, “How far is’t called to Forres? What are these so withered, and so wild with their attire, that look not like th’inhabitants o’th earth, …you should be women and yet your beards forbid me to interpret that you are so. “He thought he was seeing women but their appearance makes him think twice. The way the man’s role is portrayed is very different for example in act 1 scene 5 Lady Macbeth gives her idea of what kind of man she thinks her husband was, “Glamis thou art, and shalt be what thou art promist: yet do I fear that thy nature; it is too full o’th milk of human kindness to catch the nearest way.” Lady Macbeth thinks her husband is too kind to push and shove to gain the title of king. In Shakespeare’s perspective that was the female role. “That tend on moral thoughts, unsex me here and fill me from the crown to the toe top-full of direst cruelty! Make thick my blood; stop up th’access and passage to remorse.” Lady Macbeth asked to make her cruel and remorseless to do the things her husband cannot to gain the title of king. The roles are somewhat switched in Macbeth and this can change the plot and the message that the play gives.
By: Stephanie B.