In today’s society manhood is shown in people (men) that are able to depict courage, strength, and other typically masculine qualities. In William Shakespeare’s Macbeth, there is a clear correlation between manhood and cruelty. In his play, Shakespeare uses the word “man” to encourage, provoke and even justify certain actions. Immediately when we meet Lady Macbeth through a dialogue between her husband, Macbeth, we realize that there is a vagueness in gender roles. Macbeth, who was introduced as a violent and valiant man, is hesitant about carrying out a terrible deed, which happens to be murdering the king of Scotland. Whereas women are supposed to be innocent and amicable, Lady Macbeth is shown as a stronger and much more power hungry than
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Questioning Macbeth’s manhood had changed him from a loyal and noble man turned him into the immoral person he had become. Lady Macbeth’s initial push had allowed Macbeth climb the ranks and become more powerful. However, as a man, you want to be able to provide for your family, allow them to lead a great life, and ultimately want to leave a legacy. In order to do so, Macbeth realized that he needed to maintain his status as king. However, there was one thing that stood in his way, his old friend Banquo’s son, Fleance. Macbeth could not maintain his crown as long as Fleance is alive. Therefore, Macbeth hires two murderers to kill Banquo and Fleance. He tries to provoke the two murderers by saying, “ Ay, in the catalog you go for men,/ As hounds and greyhounds, mongrels, spaniels…” (3.1.103-104). This is simply Macbeth telling the murderers that they are part of a species called man, where dogs are part of a species called dogs, but they cannot be considered true men until they are able to kill Banquo and Fleance. To help them justify the murder Macbeth tells them, “Both of you/ Know Banquo was your enemy” (3.1.129-130). Prior to his ascension to the throne, Macbeth would never have committed such a cruel act. However, his attempt to protect his throne and his manhood resulted in his need to get rid of Banquo and
Questioning Macbeth’s manhood had changed him from a loyal and noble man turned him into the immoral person he had become. Lady Macbeth’s initial push had allowed Macbeth climb the ranks and become more powerful. However, as a man, you want to be able to provide for your family, allow them to lead a great life, and ultimately want to leave a legacy. In order to do so, Macbeth realized that he needed to maintain his status as king. However, there was one thing that stood in his way, his old friend Banquo’s son, Fleance. Macbeth could not maintain his crown as long as Fleance is alive. Therefore, Macbeth hires two murderers to kill Banquo and Fleance. He tries to provoke the two murderers by saying, “ Ay, in the catalog you go for men,/ As hounds and greyhounds, mongrels, spaniels…” (3.1.103-104). This is simply Macbeth telling the murderers that they are part of a species called man, where dogs are part of a species called dogs, but they cannot be considered true men until they are able to kill Banquo and Fleance. To help them justify the murder Macbeth tells them, “Both of you/ Know Banquo was your enemy” (3.1.129-130). Prior to his ascension to the throne, Macbeth would never have committed such a cruel act. However, his attempt to protect his throne and his manhood resulted in his need to get rid of Banquo and