Gendered Theories

Breana Dyer

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Feminism ‘Concerned with the relationship between literary texts and the place of women in society. It uses critical methods to demonstrate, explain and challenge the oppression of women.’Feminist reading

Gender assumptions abut women Patriarchal society

Gender stereotypesGenders treated differently from birth

Traits in men and women biological or socially expected?

Carl Jung thought critically ahead of time with gender equality

Gender repression always living up to expectations

Qualities OppositionalE.g

Men WomenLogical EmotionalAggressive NurturingStrong GentleIndependent Rely on others

Shakespeare’s subtlety Characters subvert gender stereotypes Questions traditional society

Created disparity in roles controversial

Very unreal laugh it off unexpected

Subtle yet revolutionary (not upsetting)

Minimal controversy weak side of women and heroic side of men

Certain qualities aren't always accurate

Questions roles and responsibilities attributed to genders

Macbeth in general Brings gender traits in to question

Subverts some qualities of men and women conform in end

Eg. Lady Macbeth, Macduff, Macbeth

Men and women don’t have to exhibit certain qualities

Can assume traits of opposite gender

Shouldn’t stereotype

‘What’s fair is foul and foul is fair’

Don’t judge a book by its cover…

Not always what they seem

Lady Macbeth cruel

Macduff emotional

Lady MacbethAppears delicate and charming’

Typical female of time

Subverts stereotype

Deceiving, cruel, manipulative, violent

We are quick to judge less inclined to judge if man

Accept / expect violence with men

Conforms to society weak / suicide

‘your hand, your tongue; look like the innocent flower, But be the serpent under’t’

Appears innocent and to expectations serpent beneath

Has to hide evil side not expected

‘I would, while it was smiling in my face, Have plucked my nipple from his boneless gum, And dashed the brains out, had I so sworn as you’

Kill own flesh evil unexpected due to mother’s nature/connection

Shouldn’t stereotype

‘unsex me here, and fill me from the crown to the toe top-full of direst cruelty’

Wants to take away weaknesses

Craves masculinity

In her mind women can’t have such qualities

Eg. Cruel, strong, etc.

MacbethReluctance towards killing

Goaded for lack of masculinity

Men aren’t cowardly bad trait weak

Subversion of gender roles has to be persuaded

Grew into masculine expectations power

‘But screw your courage to the sticking-place, And we’ll not fail’

Lady Macbeth builds up courage for Macbeth

Has to persuade him

Ridicules him for his lack of masculinity

Uses stereotypical expectations to guilt him

Macduff Accepting of his emotions sympathize

Reacted in expected way vengeance

Right amount emotion and anger

Society accepts balance

Revenge on Macbeth

Archetypal hero

‘But I must also feel it as a man’

Macduff doing the ‘manly thing’

     ‘All my pretty ones?Did you say all? O hell-kite! All?What, all my pretty chickens and their damAt one fell swoop?’

Macduff is emotional

Summary Shakespeare is smart with subversionQuestion roles subtlety Character disparity

References ‘What’s fair is foul and foul is fair’ (Act 1, Scene 1, Line 12)

‘your hand, your tongue; look like the innocent flower, But be the serpent under’t’ (Act 1, Scene 5)

‘I would, while it was smiling in my face, Have plucked my nipple from his boneless gum, And dashed the brains out, had I so sworn as you’ (Act 1, Scene 7)

‘But screw your courage to the sticking-place, And we’ll not fail’ ( Act 1, Scene 7)

‘But I must also feel it as a man’ (Act 4, Scene 3)

‘All my pretty ones?Did you say all? O hell-kite! All?What, all my pretty chickens and their damAt one fell swoop?’ (Act 4, Scene 3)

Macbeth, 20/05/14, Spark notes, www.sparknotes.com/shakespeare/macbeth/

Notable Quotes, 21/05/14, Shakespeare Navigator, www.sparknotes.com/shakespeare/macbeth/

Carl Jung, 23/05/14, Mind Development, http://www.mind-development.eu/jung.htmlFeminism, 25/05/14, Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feminism

Potential essaysFor potential essays, my powerpoint could become quite helpful. My powerpoint explores gender theories and how the characters have been constructed to subvert certain stereotypes.

This information would assist a gendered discourse or certain readings such as a feminist or a gendered view.

It would be very useful for a question on themes as the stereotypes and traditional roles of men and women provides much to talk about. Also, for a question on character construction it would be very effective in talking about the disparity of genders and the obvious subversion of roles