Macbeth Manliness Analysis
MACBETH
In the play “Macbeth” Shakespeare uses opposing characters to give the theme of manliness. The two main characters that he uses to show this theme are Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. Through this play both of these characters use many forms of showing manliness and/or not showing manliness either through them saying or doing something or something being said by another character. Though both Lady Macbeth and Macbeth both show manliness one is shown to be more manly than the other. Lady Macbeth’s qualities show her to be more of a manly character then a feminine, she tries to present herself as ambitious, manipulative, and emotionless. These traits are shown in act I when she is planning the murder of King Duncan. “Hie thee hither, That I may pour my spirits in thine ear: And chastise with the valour of my tongue All that impedes thee from the golden round” (Crowther, I,v., 2005). This shows her
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Though there is no true evidence Lady Macbeth ends up killing herself, and Macbeth questions why he should kill himself “ Why should I play the Roman fool and die On mine own sword?” (Crowther, V,viii., 2005). This shows that he will not take the same fate as his wife by dying at his own hand. Soon after this he is killed by Macduff. Macbeth also has to be manipulated by his wife questioning his manliness because as stated by his wife he “To full o’ th’ milk of human kindness” (Crowther, I,v., 2005). So though both of these characters show manliness nether of them are really more or less manly than the other.
Even though Lady Macbeth is presented as more manly than Macbeth through the play neither of them are more or less manly than the other. Both Lady Macbeth and Macbeth show ambition, and no emotion equally and they both die a coward’s
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