Examples Of Masculinity In Macbeth

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Masculinity is a topic that is debated often in our society. Today, men are expected to be strong, wise and protective. Although the idea of manhood was different when this play was published, many of the concepts are similar. This theme in Shakespeare’s Macbeth is illustrated by persuasion, power and the lead characters several spontaneous actions.

One of the first ways manhood is portrayed in Shakespeare’s Macbeth is in the way of persuasion. Near the beginning of the play, Macbeth and his wife have an intense conversation about the lingering thought of killing King Duncan. Lady Macbeth is in favour of murdering the beloved king. However, Macbeth has some doubts and is very hesitant. His wife becomes madly obsessed with the idea of obtaining …show more content…

Lady Macbeth and Macbeth quite evidently battle over the concept of power throughout the entire play, but there was a rather captivating scene surrounding this topic just before the end of the play. Outside the king’s palace in England, Malcolm and Macduff have a conversation. One of the things Malcolm says is “Why in that rawness left you wife and child-those precious motives, those strong knots of love-without leave-taking?” (IV.III.26-28). Malcolm is suspicious as to why Macbeth would leave his children behind. He is putting his title of a man in question. No real man would leave their children and cherished spouse behind knowing they could be in danger. However afterwards, the two men are able to agree on the fact that something needs to be done to help their beloved, dying country of Scotland. Just after they come to this understanding, Ross enters. He validates that their country is struggling and also informs Macduff that his wife and children have been killed, by Macbeth. Malcolm and Macduff are furious with the actions of the hateful king. Macduff then realizes that Macbeth has no children, which makes him more infuriated. The leader of their country has no dignity. A man’s children is one of his most prized possessions, and for Macbeth to go after Macduff’s children with no awareness of how that would feel, proves he lacks the essential qualities a man, and leader of a country should have. Enraged, Macduff and Malcolm then decide they want to go for blood. Malcolm tells Macduff to “Let this be the whetstone of your sword; let grief convert to anger; blunt not the heart, enrage it” (IV.III.228-229). Malcolm is telling him to convert his heartache into anger and fight for the throne against Macbeth. Malcolm wants Macduff to spark his manly instincts and stand up for the citizens of their country. As well as he wants him to be an honorable man and get back at Macbeth for what he did to his innocent

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