In this episode, we’ll explore gender roles and expectations in Jacobean England, focusing on the position of women and societal norms. We’ll discuss the expectation that wives should be subservient to their husbands, often facing physical punishment for disobedience. We’ll examine how Shakespeare’s female characters, such as Lady Macbeth, challenge these norms, possibly reflecting the influence of Queen Elizabeth I’s reign. Finally, we’ll consider the expected honourable behaviour of men, analysing Macbeth’s initial bravery and his later descent into ambition, highlighting his deviation from societal ideals of loyalty and integrity.
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