According to the cliché rhyme,“First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes the baby in the baby carriage.” What happens, though, if the “baby in the baby carriage” never comes to fruition? Millions of couples struggle with infertility every year. Despite relentless effort and sometimes even therapy, many relationships become strained by the curse of sterility. Both partners in a childless (yet child-wanting) couple feel the tension of the struggle to become parents. One literature-based couple that struggles with infertility is Shakespeare’s Macbeths. Both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth yearn for a child and react to their unsuccessful attempts at becoming parents in psychologically understandable ways. The inability to bear children haunts Macbeth, the husband and provider in the relationship. Throughout the tragedy, one of Macbeth’s greatest fears is that his legacy will die along with him. Without the presence of a son to carry on the Macbeth name, the kingdom’s rule will lie in the hands of another man’s family. At one point during the play, prophesying witches reveal to Macbeth the image of a line of kings, all of whom resemble not Macbeth, but Banquo, in what Macbeth calls a “horrible sight” (4.1.137). Characters such as Banquo, who “should be the root and father/ of many kings” create an enormous amount of jealousy in Macbeth (3.1.5-6). On numerous occasions throughout the tragedy, Macbeth verbally expresses his horror at the thought of never bearing sons, exclaiming that “Upon my head they placed a fruitless crown/ And put a barren scepter in my grip,/ Thence to be wrenched with an unlineal hand,/ No son of mine succeeding” (3.1.66-69). Clearly, Macbeth is heartbroken at the very thought of others being able to repro... ... middle of paper ... ...the beginning of humanity, childbearing has served not only as a way of consummating a relationship, but also as assurance that one’s lineage will carry on. The desperation and emotional stress felt by infertile couples such as Shakespeare’s Macbeth and Lady Macbeth yield expected, yet certainly not desired, effects. Works Cited “The Emotional Effects of Infertility on the Couple Relationship.” IVF.com. Georgia Reproductive Specialists, 2007. Web. 22 Mar. 2010. . “Managing Infertility.” USNews.com. Stanford University Medical Center, 31 Mar. 2007. Web. 22 Mar. 2010. . Shakespeare, William. The Tragedy of Macbeth. Ed. Barbara A. Mowat and Paul Werstine. New York: Washington Square, 1992. Print. The New Folger Library Shakespeare.
The author’s purpose for writing the book was to help families who are struggling with infertility, miscarriage, and adoption. The author was able to fulfill her purpose throughout the book with stories and personal experiences. For example, when she gave a history of her grief with three miscarriages and five to seven adoption lost. She was able to relate to families dealing with each situation because she had experienced all three herself.
Shakespeare, William. Tragedy of Macbeth . Ed. Barbara Mowat and Paul Warstine. New York: Washington Press, 1992.
As one of the most well known of William Shakespeare 's tragedies, Macbeth exhibits a wide range of motifs and subtle criticisms that are still relevant today. Pride, lineage, and ethnic identity are simply a few of the major themes that continue to stand the test of time. In Macbeth we can easily see that these ideas are present. The following pages will discuss the ways in which these motifs, specifically related to motherhood and children in the northern reaches of the Scottish peninsula, played an integral role in the foundation of the play.
Infertility is the inability to conceive any children after 12 months of trying to conceive after having unprotected sex. The infertility condition can be present in both partners. The cause may be physical, including immature sexual organs, abnormalities of the reproductive system, hormonal imbalance, and dysfunction or abnormalities in other organ systems, or it may result from psychologic or emotional problems. There are treatments for men or women like drugs, assisted reproductive technology, in vitro fertilization (IVF), artificial insemination, and surgery.
First, let’s define Infertility? Infertility is the inability to conceive from unprotected sex within a year. According to National Infertility Association(NIA), approximately 1 in 8 couples in the U.S-about 10-15% experience infertility. Infertility doesn’t discriminate against gender or race, therefore, it impacts both men and women equally, and that range from ages 15-50. In addition, any fertile individual could experience this condition, therefore, one can develop it later in life. This condition is shared by about 6 + million women in the U.S. and about 3-4.7 million men were diagnosed in with infertility, including 14% sperm/semen and 6% varicocele, which is an enlarged vein inside the male scrotum, pouch that holds the testicles of a male, therefore this blocks the blood from through the blood stream.
Infertility is defined as the "inability of a man to impregnate or of a woman to conceive" after a year of having regular intercourse without any form of birth control (Wekesser, 1996). Surprisingly enough in a 1992 study, one in six couples were found to be infertile (Blank & Merrick, 1995). This statistic has held static since the 1980's but had been previously increasing. In looking at just the United States it has been estimated that infertility affects approximately 2.8 million couples out of the 600 million Americans who are of reproductive age (Infertility Tests, 1996).
The use of fertility treatments in recent years has been accompanied by an increase in the number of multiple births seen annually. The twin birth rate has increased by 59% since 1980, and the triplet and higher order multiples birth rate is up 423% (Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughter’s, 2004). There are two main forms of assisted reproductive therapy (ART) that are used currently. These are ovulation induction using fertility drugs alone and In vitro fertilization (IVF).
In today’s world everyone is pressured to get married and have kids. Either by society, friends or family. When you’re in a relationship for a while the questions start to be asked such as “When are you getting married?” Once you’re married then the questions “When are you having kids?” are asked. Couples have an intense amount or pressure to start families. When the couple is finally ready to have kids after many failed attempts they find out they are incapable of producing children of their own. Which is the most devastating time a couple can go through. But if adoption doesn’t appeal to the couple, another option can be is surrogacy.
Life is a roller-coaster to a destination unknown. As we grow up we dream and plan our lives which involve our careers, families, and our future lifestyles. Unfortunately not everything we plan comes true there are bumps and hurdles in life. Some just make us stumble while others are crippling. One of those crippling wonders of life is known as Infertility. Infertility is defined as “not being able to become pregnant after a year of trying. If a woman can get pregnant but keeps having miscarriages or stillbirths, this too is known as Infertility” (NIH: National Institute of Child Health and Human Development). It is a growing problem, year after year the number of people effected increase. “Infertility affects 80 million people worldwide” (Peddie,Porter). I am of that eighty- million, so is my sister, and my mother. To the many people that suffer from Infertility it is personal, affects the community nationally, and needs our understanding.
It is important to explain the emotional issues associated with infertility. A couple who has tried for many months to conceive a child and find that there are physical issues that are causing this continued problem, are emotionally mortified. The shock causes feelings of loss and failure that at affect the very core of a person, delivers a terrible blow to their self esteem and self value. Once the shock has passed and decisions need to be made about the option of assisted reproduction or adoption, a whole new slew of emotions arise.
A couple is said to be suffering from infertility, if they have been having unprotected sex
Brooke Shields once said, “The difficulty of IVF or of any fertility issues is the hope and the shattered hope, the dream that it might happen this time and then it doesn't happen.” There are many different types of infertility and treatment that can be use to help, but they are not always successful. Infertility is a problem that not only affects the body, but the mind as well. Even with all the different types and effects of infertility, people still have the chance to overcome infertility, and achieve their dream of becoming parents.
Shakespeare, William. Tragedy of Macbeth . Ed. Barbara Mowat and Paul Warstine. New York: Washington Press, 1992.
Subfertility assessment may require a lot of time and testing for the couple. This may potentially affect the couple’s self-image, self-esteem, and their lifestyle. The couple may be at
Shakespeare, William. “Macbeth.” The Complete Works of Shakespeare. Ed. David Bevington. New York: Longman, 1997