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Traditional Gender Roles In Macbeth Essay

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William Shakespeare's play Macbeth is a play that explores the capabilities of human darkness through Macbeth’s battle with his ambition, power, and the consequences of unchecked desire. Three witches embody a central theme throughout the play, through their narrative which is purposefully meant to be seen as a symbol of supernatural forces capable of manipulating fate. However, the witches act as a subversive element to challenge the traditional gender roles and power structures of the society the play is set in. The witches personify a challenge to the traditional gender roles in Macbeth, through their subversive presence and actions, which serves to critique the patriarchal power structures inherit in the kingdom and highlights the destabilizing …show more content…

The witches’ subversion of traditional gender roles is notes almost immediately by Banquo who describes them as “So withered and so wild in their attire…not like th' inhabitants o' th' Earth… should be women, And yet your beards forbid me to interpret That” (Macbeth 1.3.40-48). Banquo is meet with the witches and is unable to ascertain their gender, stripping his ability to interact based on gendered characteristic of others. Furthermore, they defy the societal expectation of women as submissive and nurturing beings by using supernatural abilities to predict Macbeth and Banquo’s fate, showing their power and manipulativeness that control the men’s fate. They exert their power through informing Macbeth and Banquo of their future, to rule as king or have children that will rule thereafter. Their influence over these male characters serve to challenge the patriarchal power structure which powers the throne the witches promised to Macbeth and Banquo’s children. Further influence is seen in Macbeth's shellshocked reaction and discomfort at encountering the witches, soon followed by his uncontrollable obsession to fulfill their

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