In this week’s rendition of my “this week I learned post” I would like to share with you my research into social roles. In both Macbeth and the 1950s, social conformity was commonplace and was a key component of society.

America in the ’50s was built upon the picturesque pillars of the atomic family. The ’50s were a time of great prosperity and growth. This growth came in turn with a tide of conformity that served to shape the “ideal” American. The image of the white picket fence, a house in the suburbs and the atomic family was created in the ’50s. Social conformity held people into their own roles creating a much more simple and less chaotic society.

In 1000 CE, Scotland was entrenched in the ideology of feudalism. Feudalism was a social and political system that traded goods and services through the levels of society. The roles of society were predetermined at birth. It was extremely uncommon for any man to move among the levels of society, but women had an even stronger tide of social values. Social conformity was promoted by the steadfast social roles in 1000; the timeframe that Macbeth is set in. References to the importance of social order are littered through act 1 and 2. During one of Lady Macbeth’s soliloquy, she speaks of she wishes to be unsexed in order to commit “the acts that the only man can accomplish”

Come, you spirits

That tend on mortal thoughts! unsex me here,

And fill me from the crown to the toe top full

Of direst cruelty

– Lady Macbeth (1.5.38-41)

Looking at a speech like that today it seems comical as I nearly laughed when I read that line. However, upon further examination, it becomes clear that this speech shows the powerful influence that predetermined social rules played in day to day life.

Societal roles are essential to any working community but stifling growth between social groups is a shortsighted policy.

“I think the reward for conformity is that everyone likes you except yourself.”

– Rita Mae Brown

In Scotland and to a lesser degree in the 50s social conformity was promoted by the underlying societal norms and pressures. These rules of conformity stunted the growth of the culture. By fixing people in a position that doesn’t promote change and evolution; it leads to a stagnant society. Today social conformity still exists but it motivates people’s behaviors in ways that are better for society. This comes in the form of social pressure to get a job, have friends, and being active. To fit into today’s society you are not limited by who you are and people are more focussed on who you can become. This sentiment can sound superficial, but in truth, it is one of the major drivers behind cultural development today.