Examples Of Masculinity In Macbeth

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In Shakespeare's tragic play "Macbeth," the symbol of manhood is an important tool. The play establishes a theme of masculinity, which is usually unique by thoughts of physical strength, courageousness , loyalty and power . Both male and female characters exhibit these traits in abnormal and heroic ways. Macbeth's masculinity is easily manipulated. He is a war idol who with his friend Banquo, faced an army. Thus, his violent deeds are puffed up by King Duncan. Once given the prophecy by the three witches, however, Macbeth shows a desire for power. Ambition, typically seen as a virtuous quality. This becomes his downfall as he focuses on becoming king. As Macbeth and Lady Macbeth assassinate Duncan and finds others to kill his close allies for him, his character and paranoia drive him insane. Macbeth represents typically positive attributes of masculinity gone wrong, as this is a tragic play. Macbeth is depicted as having the majority of the attributes that are considered positively connected with manliness toward the start of the play: fortitude, altruism, and steadfastness. This is the depiction of him in the starting fight. Yet as the play creates, he likewise demonstrates some cliché female characteristics: hesitation, and the need to take after requests. He is, what we would call today, "whipped." He even remarks that …show more content…

Typical males initiate power and demonstrate a solid exterior, while females are ordinarily associated with internal feelings. The thought of manhood in Macbeth is linked to strength, power, physical bravery, and power of will. Characters all throughout the play manipulate the ideal of masculinity to serve their own desires and benefits to utilize the idea of manhood to provoke one another into battle. Macbeth initiates supremacy and power to prove his manliness. Meanwhile Lady Macbeth instead uses manipulation to do her bidding, to get what she

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