Manhood In Macbeth Essay

Prompt: In the play of Macbeth the definition of a man changes in the essay. Compare the meaning of manhood in the beginning of the play with the end, use what being a man means to Macbeth in contrast to Macduff’s

Hook:

Thesis: In the analysis of manhood, different views are revealed, particularly between Macbeth and Macduff.

What does it mean to be masculine and what are their different views and meanings of manhood? There are many interpretations of manliness in the era of Macbeth. Being a men entitled you to more power and responsibility, during this era women weren’t even addressed by their name instead they were the called the wife of; then the man’s name. Based off this we can concur being considered a man was important. In the analysis of manhood, different views are revealed, particularly between Macbeth and Macduff. In the beginning of the play Macbeth struggles with doing what is considered manly. He is said to be ambitious but not ambitious enough in order to get what he wants. His wife confronts Macbeth about this and tells him that if he is a man he must be able

Macduff states that he can cry and weep like a girl but instead he wants to wield his blade in the face in Macbeth and run his sword through him (Act IV Lines “246-248”). When you hear that your family is slaughtered you would break down and cry. It’s okay to cry because it’s what all human beings do, everyone has emotions but what you do with those emotions. Macduff knew what he had to do which because crying and weeping is cowardly which is why his definition of being a man is stronger than Macbeth’s. Instead Macduff would rather face and murder Macbeth is in face this is different from Macbeth’s murder that was considered as manly. Macbeth’s murder was done in the dark while the King was asleep, this is why I consider Macduff meaning of being a man much more