Representation of Masculinity the Renaissance Family and...

Representation of Masculinity the Renaissance Family and Shakespeares Macbeth Familiarity with Shakespeares work often leads to awareness to the representation of masculinity, gender roles, and the patriarchal order as these subjects are often greatly reflected in his writing. Renaissance concept of order meant there was a shift from what used to be an Open Lineage Family, to a Restricted Patriarchal Nuclear Family. In turn, Renaissance families saw an increase in obligations to the church and state. Shakespeare (with the use of irony) often played with typical renaissance beliefs and ideologies, giving his work both historical and critical value. With the endorsement of an ideal marriage based†¦show more content†¦Another form of masculinity demonstrated in these plays are valour, kinship and honour; William Segar takes the radical position that there are but two arenas of action for men; business and honour Smith B Shakespeare and Masculinity (43) The tension charged exchange between Mowbray and Bolingroke in the opening scene of Shakespeares Kin g Richard 2 in an all male arena, where both men throw down gages in a physical display of manliness and are prepared to settle their dispute by combat is clearly located in Segar s arena of honour. There I throw don my gage, If guilty dread have left thee so much strength As to take up mine honours pawn, then stoop By that and all the rites of Knighthood else Will make good against thee, arm to arm, (1.1.69,73-76) However, this warring with words a womanish undertaking whilst dolled up to the nines Healy M William Shakespeare Richard 2 (52 in chivalric tournament gear was a great show of maleness and virility. This contrasts with Shakespeares Macbeth whose masculinity is initially defined by courage and honour on the battlefield. Shakespeares King Richards masculinity is initially defined by honourable and just decision making within kingship.Show MoreRelatedWilliam Shakespeare s Macbeth : Women s Agency2261 Words   |  10 PagesEnglish 201 24 November 2014 Relative Masculinity in Macbeth: Women’s Agency William Shakespeare uses Macbeth to show the agency that is created for women when men are pushed into proving their own masculinity. In order to fully understand Shakespeare’s portrayal of masculinity in Macbeth we must first examine the stereotypes of the Elizabethan era that effected Shakespeare’s writing. â€Å"Defining what a female was supposed to be and do was an act of Renaissance culture, as it has been for other timesRead MoreEssay on Changing Gender Roles in William Shakespeares Macbeth2817 Words   |  12 PagesChanging Gender Roles in William Shakespeares Macbeth  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚   Much attention has been paid to the theme of manliness as it appears throughout Macbeth. In his introduction to Macbeth in The Riverside Shakespeare, Frank Kermode contends that the play is about the eclipse of civility and manhood, [and] the temporary triumph of evil (1307). Stephen Greenblatt emphasizes the same idea in The Norton Shakespeare, crediting Lady Macbeth for encouraging her husband through both sexual taunting