Masculine Traits in Women Characters: A Comparative Study between Lady Macbeth and Clytemnestra

Abstract

Ancient and modern societies both have a binary way of observing gender. Through this dual thinking, gender roles are imposed on men and women. They were judged according to their gender roles. Modern mentality also could not bring about much change in this fact about gender stereotypes, which has been happening since the beginning of the world. Masculine gender roles portray men to be physically strong, intelligent, and aggressive. Feminine gender roles portray women to be physically weak, emotionally fragile, and submissive to a man’s whims and fancies. Historically, there have been some iconic women who have challenged these gender stereotypes which became inspiration for those women who are struggling for their rights. From ancient to modern literature, many authors also tried to create some female protagonists with endowment to break them all the barriers of gender stereotypes. Shakespeare’s Lady Macbeth from Macbeth (1623) and Aeschylus’ Clytemnestra from Agamemnon (458 BC.) are two of such characters. Both of the women are conscious of their rights and do not let either their femininity or their womanhood prevent them from their destined and determined paths. They struggle for their own identity, glory, dignity, strength, and defense of their own rights. They tried to increase their status as women even if they had to become evil in order to do so.