Fortitude is the strength to protect one’s morality in the face of temptation. Fortitude is shown when a person exhibits certain traits, like the ability to face trials and persecution, the strength to resist temptation, the ability to use anger correctly, and understands that the loss of one’s soul is the greatest tragedy. A lack of fortitude is the complete opposite, and Sir Gawain proves to be a great example since he was unable to resist temptation and to conquer fear, even fear of death. An example of fortitude would be someone like Nelson Mandela, who faced trials and persecution, did not compromise with evil, and was constant in the pursuit of good. Though fortitude is often used in stories and tales, it is usually not related to real life by people. …show more content…
Fortitude is the strength to protect one’s morality in tough situations, so a lack of fortitude would be the inability to do so. In Macbeth, Lady Macbeth poses as a good example of a lack of fortitude. “Thou’dst have, Great Glamis, That which cries “Thus thou must do” if thou have it; And that which rather thou dost fear to do Than wishest should be undone. Hie thee hither, That I may pour my spirits in thine ear, And chastise with the valor of my tongue All that impedes thee from the golden round Which fate and metaphysical aid doth seem To have thee crowned withal.” (Act I, scene 5, lines 21-29) In these lines, Lady Macbeth becomes aware of Macbeth’s plans, but she fully supports him because if Macbeth succeeded, she would become queen. Based on fortitude, Lady Macbeth lacks the ability to not compromise with evil. She knows that the prophecy would cause Macbeth to kill the king, and she willingly agrees to help. Since the prophecy would make Macbeth a king, she knew that she would become queen, so her ambition blinded