Examples Of Manhood In Macbeth

The theme of “true manhood” in Macbeth is quite diversified and exemplifies the idea of a “true” and “false” man through the actions committed and passages recited by the characters. However what it meant to be a true man was very different to what it meant to be a false man. Thus, one who may possess the power to commit actions like murder through selfish and animal like impulses is comprised of the “false” man. In retrospect, one who is not selfish and thinks for others through kind actions is comprised of the “true” man. These differences of a true and false man lead to what was expected by a man during the Elizabethan Era. Hence, the simple idea of what values, actions and thoughts a man was supposed to possess during this era was pronounced

In this scene Lady Macbeth was urging the fact that her husband Macbeth was possessing a weak moral due to his objection on killing king Duncan. In result of her accusations towards her husband, he tells her “Prithee, peace: / I dare do all that may become a man;” (Act 1, Scene 7, 45-46). This passage demonstrates that Macbeth is explaining his view on manhood and that a true man does not kill other human beings. However she does not agree with this idea and says “That made you break the enterprise to me? / When you durst do it, then you were a man” (Act 1, Scene 7, 48-49). This passage shows how Lady Macbeth was testing Macbeths’ manhood due to the fact that he was breaking their agreement on killing the king. Thus, Lady Macbeth is displaying her manipulative ways through the use of testing Macbeth’s manhood and also the idea of what is true manhood. She is in a way evoking Macbeth’s inner animal impulse by instigating him through her use of sarcastic words. In addition, Lady Macbeths view on what being a true man is, is false and amplifies this view heavily throughout the whole

For example, in act four, scene two while Ross is trying to console Lady Macduff telling her that her husband left because he was wise. However he does not tell her the truth of why he left and what happened to him. Thus this before he leaves it leads him to say “I am such a fool, should I stay longer It would be my disgrace and you discomfort” (Act 4, Scene 2, 27-28). This passage establishes an idea of where in this situation Ross was being in fact a true man. Hence he leaves so he doesn’t end up crying in front of her making him look like her lacked masculinity. Therefore, his act of leaving and not showing his tears symbolizes the role of how a man should’ve acted during this time