Examples Of Manhood In Macbeth

Topic: How does the definition of manhood evolve throughout the play?

Murder, greed, ambition, and deception, are all themes in Shakespeare’s plays that recur throughout all of his works. Macbeth is no different in the sense that the definition of manhood manages to change as the play progresses. Over the course of the five acts, we see how each character perceives manliness differently. At the beginning of the play, we are greeted with the impression that Macbeth and Banquo are heros of the battlefield. They fought courageously against the enemies of Scotland, an action that is considered the pinnacle of bravery and manliness. Macbeth receives promotion for his deeds, but goes on to endeavour in a much more ambitious goal. His wife, Lady Macbeth manipulates him into acting on this ambition by questioning his manhood. At first, Macbeth did not want to kill King Duncan, for it was not “what a man would do.” He says to her, “I dare do all that may become a man;/ Who dares do more is none.” (I.7.45-46) She quickly accuses him of being a coward, claiming, “What beast was’t, then,/That made you break this enterprise to me?/ When you durst do it, then you were a man.”(I.7.47-49) In Lady Macbeth’s eyes, a man is only a man when he is willing to take what he wants.

After Macduff is informed of the murder of his family, Malcom says to him, “Dispute it like a man.” (IV.3.220) This is similar to the modern day view that men are not meant to cry. Instead of wallowing in his emotions like a woman, Malcom encourages Macduff to strike back against Macbeth. This situation is similar to the one previously mentioned in the regard that shying away from action is considered cowardly and feminine. However, it differs because instead of killing a man in his sleep, Macduff plans to confront Macbeth face to face in battle. This is considered much more honorable and