How Is Gender Change In Macbeth

In William Shakespeare's Macbeth, the characterization of Lady Macbeth and Macbeth, through the motif of gender roles, provides an understanding of the pivotal stereotypical roles that should be blended. In the Elizabethan era, there was no flexibility to gender preferences; people of this time were less forgiving. The dynamic of the relationship is altered due to the juxtaposition of the balance of power between Lady Macbeth and Macbeth causing the play to progress into a tragedy. Lady Macbeth is initially motivated by greed and is a major influence on Macbeth to fulfill this necessity of hers. In order to achieve these goals, Lady Macbeth clouds Macbeth's judgements and asks the unnatural spirits to "unsex [her] here," (Shakespeare I.v.47),

As previously stated, the power initially laid in Lady Macbeth's hands. She was manipulative and controlling in order to persuade Macbeth to do what she wanted. She presented a dominant lead in the relationship because of her ambition to become queen, which is why she demands Macbeth to "give [her] the daggers," (Shakespeare II.ii.73-75), while Macbeth is showing weakness. She later questions Macbeth's masculinity with "are you a man?" (Shakespeare III.iv.73). He responds to Lady Macbeth's remark by telling her that "If trembling I inhabit then, protest me the baby of a girl," (Shakespeare III.iv.130-131). This marks the turning point for Macbeth in which his motivations have been corrupted by Lady Macbeth's. He begins to become just as ambitious, if not more, as she started out as and continues on to have zero compassion for her. Macbeth's drive causes him to plot the murder of Banquo, Fleance, and Macduff's family without Lady Macbeth's help. He has become independent of her and while he is now the dominant one, Lady Macbeth has become insecure about her incapability to influence her spouse. The influence these two characters have on each other cause "[Macbeth to] become a tragic villain," (Ramsey