English Literature KS3 / GCSE: Shakespeare's male and female characters

Narrator:
On the face of it, Shakespearean society was traditional and old-fashioned. Men were in power - as they were, of course, the only ones capable of making important decisions - and women followed behind, being weak and (hopefully for their sakes) pretty.

But Shakespeare questioned all that, with characters like Lady Macbeth, Julius Caesar and Beatrice from Much Ado About Nothing - inviting the audience to remember the reality of human nature and shaking the stereotypes.

Julius Caesar and his wife Calpurnia are a traditional couple and almost polar opposites.

Caesar is a leader – he’s a Roman general and senator, does a lot of talking for his country and in the play and is used to being heard. Calpurnia is his follower in the background, barely seen in society or in the play. Caesar is happy to humiliate her in public – announcing she’s incapable of having kids.

Caesar:
‘Forget not, in your speed, Antonius,
to touch Calpurnia; for our elders say,
the barren, touched in this holy chase,
shake off their sterile curse.’

Narrator:
Caesar, on the other hand, is spoken about in hallowed, lordly terms.

Antony:
‘When Caesar says, ‘Do this’, it is perform’d.’

Narrator:
The rules of women in Macbeth are much more sinister and aggressive and far from the traditional little wife at home. Between them the three witches persuade Macbeth he can get his hands on the thrown, and Lady Macbeth helps turn her loving noble husband into a serial killer, as they plot and plan their way to the top.

Lady MacBeth:
‘But I do fear thy nature, it is too full of the milk of human kindness to catch the nearest way’

Narrator: While Macbeth is physically tough, and a celebrated soldier of numerous battles, he seems mentally weak. When he becomes racked with guilt at their plans to kill Duncan, Lady Macbeth bullies him back on the path of murder with ease.

Macbeth:
‘If we should fail’

Lady Macbeth:
‘We fail!
But screw your courage to the sticking place,
and we’ll not fail.’

Narrator:
In the Tempest, the traditional tables seem to be turned with Miranda and Ferdinand carrying equal importance as they fall in love. They are both attracted by each other’s looks:

Ferdinand:
‘Most sure, the goddess
on whom these airs attend!’

Narrator:
In fact, they are both pawns in Prospero’s bigger game to settle old scores and while they are equally smitten, Ferdinand soon reverts to typical male attitudes of the day.

Ferdinand:
‘Sir she is mortal;
but by immortal providence she’s mine:

Narrator:
He’s the one with the power in the relationship. He has a right to choose Miranda and own her. Luckily Miranda loves him, is quite happy and the pair represent hope for new beginnings at the end of what is a dream-like experience.

So, in spite of the raging sexism of his society, Shakespeare creates both male and female characters that defy the stereotypes. The aggressive women of Macbeth have huge power in persuading a noble man from his moral path. Calpurnia in Julius Caesar steps out from the shadows to lead her husband from death, but his resolute leadership is his downfall, and in the Tempest lovers are equal – at least for a while!