Toxic Masculinity In Macbeth By William Shakespeare

‘Toxic masculinity’ is a term used to describe stereotypically masculine traits that are harmful to society or to men themselves. For example, young boys are often taught that they must be stoic, tough, or sometimes aggressive in order to be ‘manly’, while if a young boy shows sensitivity he is insulted and called girly. In Macbeth many of the male and female characters are affected by toxic masculinity, and the connection between masculinity and violence becomes one of the major themes in the play. The female characters in Macbeth amplify the theme of toxic masculinity and it’s direct link to violence and cruel acts. Most of the women spark instances of aggression based on the taunting, belittling, or encouraging of a male character’s (namely

(1.5. 30-33, 37-40)

It is argued that Macbeth is Shakespeare’s most misogynistic play because of the evil present in the women. The root of all evil can be traced to either the Witches or Lady Macbeth, and while it is the men that commit the violent deeds, it is the manipulative acts of the women that shock the audience because they go against the natural order.

Lady Macbeth wishes to be “unsexed” as her actions are not fit for a feminine creature because of their cruel intentions. Macbeth wishes her to “Bring forth men-children only,” as her own ambition and malice must create nothing but masculine beings. Even the Witches and their original prophecy are what spark Macbeth’s violent ambition. The Witches manipulative words and trickery are another shocking example of the malice of women present in Macbeth. The trickery of the witches brings forth Hecate, goddess of witchcraft. She is the only divine being to appear in the play, so she ultimately holds the most power and sits in the top spot on The Great Chain of

In the case of Lady Macbeth, the murder of King Duncan weighed down so much on her conscience that she was driven to commit suicide. When she does so, Macbeth shoes no remorse or guilt “She should have died hereafter. / There would have been a time for such a word.” It is claimed that it is unmanly to show any form of sadness, which is why Lady Macbeth was taken by guilt, and Macbeth remained unbothered. It is in this why that the man and woman of the house are distinguished.

Towards the end of the play, after Macbeth convinces the Murderers to kill Macduff’s wife and child, Macduff is advised to do what is ‘manly’ and exact his revenge. It is here that the idea of manliness built up throughout most of the play is challenged. When Malcolm tells Macduff to “Dispute it like a man,” Macduff counters ”I shall do so. / But I must also feel it as a man”