Examples Of Masculinity In Macbeth

In Macbeth by William Shakespeare, Macbeth is an ambitious Scottish warrior who receives a royal prophecy from the three witches that he will become the King of Scotland. The first step in Macbeth's rise to power is the death of the current King, Duncan. Macbeth and Lady Macbeth contemplate carrying out Duncan's murder when visiting their castle, but Macbeth decides against it. To influence Macbeth into the murder, Lady Macbeth plays with the strict gender roles set by society. While initially, Macbeth appears to embody the ideal man, Lady Macbeth manipulates him by questioning his manhood, resulting in mayhem. Macbeth, urged by his wife, murders the King, takes over the throne, and kills more people out of fear. The play ultimately argues

Lady Macbeth manipulates Macbeth by questioning his manhood while discussing their plot to kill Duncan. Initially, Macbeth seems uncertain if he can proceed with the murder, as he asserts, "we will proceed no further in this business". So, Lady Macbeth manipulates Macbeth into thinking he is a baby for refusing to kill the King. Lady Macbeth asks Macbeth, "Such I account thy love. Art thou afeard To be the same in thine own act and valor As thou art in desire? Wouldst thou have that Which thou esteem'st the ornament of life And live a coward in thine own esteem, Letting "I dare not" wait upon "I would," Like the poor cat i' th' adage? (1.7 43-49). Lady Macbeth argues that if Macbeth fails to carry out what he "desires", he will "live like a coward". The King of Scotland is the highest ornament in life, essentially Macbeth's desire and greatest ambition. Macbeth can only refute Lady Macbeth's insults by proving her wrong. As a result, many of the crimes Macbeth commits later in the play, such as murdering the King and killing Banquo, are an attempt to convince his wife that he is manly enough. Macbeth demands Lady Macbeth to stop attacking his manliness and says, "I dare do all that may become a man. Who dares do more is none" (1.7 51-52). Macbeth points out his bravery by showing he will do whatever it takes to prove his masculinity. Macbeth says he

With the King dead, Macbeth becomes overly paranoid and imagines hearing a voice. Lady Macbeth scolds him for being afraid and childish by saying, "You do unbend your noble strength to think So brainsickly of things" (2.2 60-61). Macbeth drives himself insane by worrying about the repercussions of killing Duncan. The shame and paranoia consume Macbeth leading him to commit more murders to protect himself from suspicion and animosity. Macbeth proposes to kill Banquo due to a prediction that Banquo's sons will threaten Macbeth's throne. Unlike with the murder of Duncan, Macbeth lacks hesitation and says, "To act in safety. There is none but he Whose being I do fear; and under him My genius is rebuked, as it is said Mark Antony's was by Caesar" (3.1 85). Banquo's concern that the Three Witches' prophecy will come true causes him to question whether or not Macbeth murdered King Duncan. Due to Banquo's rising suspicions, Macbeth fears him above all others. Therefore, Macbeth hired assassins to kill Banquo and his son, Fleance. Macbeth proves he has lost all sympathy for life as he says, "I am in blood Stepped in so far that, should I wade no more, Returning were as tedious as go o'er. Strange thing I have in head that will to hand, Which must be acted ere they may be scanned (3.4 109). Lady Macbeth successfully rids Macbeth of the milk of human kindness as he loses all compassion and becomes