Examples Of Manhood In Macbeth

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One of the first ways manhood is portrayed in Shakespeare’s Macbeth is in the way of persuasion. Near the beginning of the play, Macbeth and his wife have an intense conversation about the lingering thought of killing King Duncan. Lady Macbeth is in favour of murdering the beloved king. However, Macbeth has some doubts and is very hesitant. His wife becomes madly obsessed with the idea of obtaining more power, and she is even willing to question her husband’s identity in order to win him over. Lady Macbeth uses their relationship to her advantage and tries to convince her husband to commit the crime. She tells him he will be more of a man if he does this. She tempts him with the idea of being a courageous, worthy individual and he takes the …show more content…
Some of these actions illustrate him as a good man, whereas the majority of them make him look like a poor man. Nonetheless, Macbeth began the play as a kind hearted friend, husband and leader. He successfully executed the traitor for the rest of the army and earned himself the title of “brave Macbeth” (I.II.16). He demonstrated he was a loyal, hardworking soldier who would go to far extents to protect his country. He loved his wife dearly, treated her well, and even referred to her as his “dearest partner of greatness” (I.V.10) proving they had a strong, loving relationship. However, Macbeth’s flaws were uncovered and he went on to commit a number of brutal acts throughout the course of the play. The first event that put his masculine character into question was when he murdered King Duncan, just to take his throne. Not only did he kill the well respected Scotland leader, he killed an innocent good-natured man. Just when you think it can’t get any worse than killing the King, he goes on to assassinate one of his dearest friends, Banquo. Macbeth felt threatened by him, by reason of what the witches told him regarding Banquo’s descendants becoming King in the nearby. Slaying one of his friends based on the witches prediction instantaneously put his character to the test. He had no hesitancy, and even attempted to execute his son as well. Later on in the play, Lady Macbeth took her own life. A real man would be hurting and somber when their wife dies, whereas Macbeth’s instant response was “She should have died hereafter; There would have been a time for such a word” (V.V.17-18). Instead of mourning the loss of his companion he brushes off the sorrowful accident quite swiftly. Despite the fact that Macbeth does have his good moments in the play, it is effortless to say his unacceptable behaviour out numbers the

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