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Examples Of Masculinity In Macbeth

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In Shakespeare's Macbeth, masculinity is intricately woven into the play, driving the characters' actions and unfolding the tragic events. Throughout the play, the characteristics of men are depicted as strong and manly, without showing emotion. From being brave on the battlefield to having ambition and striving for power, dominance is interlinked with masculinity. This essay will examine how masculinity is defined in Macbeth, illustrating that it's merely based on dominance and bravery in battle, ambition for power, and a lack of emotion, depicting a clear view of toxic masculinity. During Elizabethan society, men dominated all aspects of public and domestic authority. Men were the head of marriage and could enter professions like law, politics, and medicine, while women were the head of the household, attending to the children and domestic work. The idea that women were weaker than men overtook all aspects of society with the notion that men needed to be strong to take care of …show more content…

As the play progresses, Macbeth becomes heartless as his ambition to be king overtakes his demeanor at the beginning of the play. Macbeth convinces himself that being violent is an aspect of masculinity he is allowed to attribute. In Act 4, Scene 4, Macbeth states, "I am in blood Stepped in so far that, should I wade no more, Returning was as tedious as go o'er"(III, IV,142-144). Macbeth's ambition to be in power, to fulfill his masculine role highlights his destructive view of his masculinity that is pushed onto him. In Macbeth, masculinity is closely tied to violence. This is shown through Macbeth's persistent violent acts, for example, his orders to kill Banquo and Fleance. Shakespeare states, “it is concluded. Banquo thy soul's flight/if it finds heaven, must find it tonight (III, I). Macbeth's attempt to eliminate his threats to the throne shows how he views masculinity as being

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