Life Struggles with Societys Cause

Societal expectations are molded by popular behavior and beliefs. One major belief includes the
masculinity of man and the submission of woman. Often times, when an internal change occurs within
an individual, external forces object, resulting in ones downfall. William Shakespeare and Tennessee
Williams agrees in the mental breakdown of individuals who are categorized as outliers. By including
characters like Macbeth and Lady Macbeth from Macbeth, Blanch and the Young man from A Streetcar
Named Desire, who are not accepted by society, the authors creates well-known plays and stories
taught throughout generations.
Macbeths setting takes place in the 11th century during which man is deemed worthy by their
boldness as described in the very beginning of the play. In act one scene two, Malcom calls Captain a
brave and hardy soldier and a brave friend for fearlessly saving him even when wounded
(Shakespeare 1.2.5-6). Ultimately, much praise goes towards Macbeth for he unseamed [Macdonwald]
from the nave th chops(Shakespeare 1.2.24). Duncan gives both Captain and Macbeth, the smack of
honor for living up to their manhood. Macbeths heroic act thus is rewarded with becoming the Thane
of Cawdor. His end is soon caused by an external force of a loved one pushing to do what he must as a
man.
Shakespeare portrayed societal role for woman as supportive of their husbands decisions to
submissively follow. Lady Macbeth strongly supported Macbeth's decision to become king of Scotland,
but pushed him to do the dirty work even when Macbeth decided, he will proceed no further in this
business (Shakespeer 1.7.34). Lady Macbeths urge to take the lead as a woman enrages her to the
point where she cries out, unsex me here! because she knows and admits, she is not strong enough to
do so. (Shakespeare 1.5.28). As the plan is put into action, Lady Macbeth finds her mighty husband
paralyzed with horror as he says, Ill go no more. His reluctance to erase evidence of his murder
causes Lady Macbeth takes her plan into her own hands as she demands Macbeth to give [her] the
daggers (Shakespeare 2.2.69). As King and Queen, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth is known to their
subjects as mad; where Macbeth claims, I saw [Banquo] 3.4.89 and Lady Macbeth sleepwalking,
dreaming of the night of the murder. Macbeths mental change from an honorable soldier slaughtering
in battle to a mere fright of murder was not accepted in the societal eyes of Lady Macbeth. The push
she gave him is the trigger to his hallucination. As she was judgmental of her husbands manhood, her
womanly role dramatically changed to replace her husbands week mental state. The outside forces of
reality hits Lady Macbeth in horrific flashbacks to the night of Duncan's murder forcing her to suicide.
During the late 1940s, hardy young men are returning from war with praise from society for their
noble deeds that is seen as a masculine figure; a hero. As revealed through Blanchs confession, her
lover had a nervousness, a softness and tenderness which wasn't like a mans (Williams 95). With
society's cruelty coming from Blanche's mouth, she blurts out the disgust of Allans
homosexuality which drived him to stick a revolver into his mouth...so that the back of his head had
been-blown way (Williams 96). Allans life is a perfect example of what is not expected in societys
expectation of a man. Not only has he committed adultery with another man, he also committed suicide
for living untruthfully. His attempt to change himself by marrying Blanche only ended with her
loneliness.
Throughout the play, Blanche is known as the broken character who is continuously against
societal expectations of woman. The ultimate cause is slowly revealed through the play by coming
across a gentleman like Mitch and the Young man who represents Allan. It serves as a reminder of her
unfaithfulness to stay as a submissive wife to keep his secret which results in her instability; becoming
addicted to alcohol. Using alcohol as a form to fill in the loneliness, Blanch claims, it buzzes right
through me and it feels so good (Williams 21). This is looked down upon women which enhances
Blanches downfall by being drunk. Soon before she meets the Young man, Blanch had pour[ed] a
shot of whisky into it that results in getting him mixed up with Allan and kissing him (Williams 79).

Right before Blanche tells Mitch about Allan, she had pour[ed] herself another drink that takes her
fully into the past as she she share it (Williams 95).
Societal expectations of the security which comes from mans masculinity and women's support
for man through submission carries through centuries. This issue carries through before Shakespeare's
setting of the play, through Williams time and up to present day society. The two plays captures not
only the issues of society's view of man and womans behavior, but many more that still exist in our
society today.