Physical strength and mental strength are two different types of masculinity, but a man possessing only one of these cannot be truly masculine. What makes a man truly masculine is the ability to be both physically and mentally strong. In the play Macbeth, by William Shakespeare, Macbeth, Banquo, and Macduff all exemplify different types of masculinity, but only Macduff is truly masculine, because he exemplifies both physical and mental strength. Macbeth and Banquo both exemplify masculine traits, but neither demonstrate all of the traits necessary to become truly masculine.
Macbeth is physically strong, but he is unable to find mental strength, so he never becomes truly masculine. Lady Macbeth tells Macbeth that “When [he] durst do it, …show more content…
At first, Macduff’s “fear [makes him] a traitor.”, when he leaves his family in a “flight of madness”(4.2.3-4). Macduff lets fear overtake his mind when he flees his family. He also loses his masculinity when flees, because it makes him look like a coward, with a weak and feeble mind. Later on, after fleeing his castle, Macduff learns that his “castle is surprised, [his] wife and babes/ Savagely slaughtered” (4.3.207-208) Upon hearing the news, Malcolm tells Macduff to “dispute it like a man,” but Macduff says that he “must also feel it as a man.” (4.3.226-228) Malcolm thinks that Macduff will regain his masculinity simply by killing Macbeth. But Macduff knows that the ability to accept the difficult feelings of pain and loss demonstrates enormous mental strength. Macduff learns from his mistake, and is able to understand that true masculinity is about more than just being physically strong. Macduff knows that he must kill Macbeth himself, because “If thou beest slain, and with no stroke of [his own]/ [his] wife and children’s ghosts will haunt [him] still.” (5.7.17-18) Macduff understands that he has to kill Macbeth, not only to prove his physical strength, but also to prove his mental strength and toughness. If he does not kill Macbeth, he will be mentally weak, because the ghosts of his family will haunt him, like Banquo’s ghost haunted Macbeth. But, unlike Macbeth, Macduff is able to realize his mistakes and change paths. This is part of what makes him truly masculine, because it is extremely difficult to change paths, and it requires a lot of mental strength. So when Macduff finally kills Macbeth and holds his “cursèd head” up, Macduff proves his physical strength, as well as his mental strength. This is why he is truly masculine.
Macbeth is physically strong, but he is unable to find mental strength, so he never becomes truly masculine. Lady Macbeth tells Macbeth that “When [he] durst do it, …show more content…
At first, Macduff’s “fear [makes him] a traitor.”, when he leaves his family in a “flight of madness”(4.2.3-4). Macduff lets fear overtake his mind when he flees his family. He also loses his masculinity when flees, because it makes him look like a coward, with a weak and feeble mind. Later on, after fleeing his castle, Macduff learns that his “castle is surprised, [his] wife and babes/ Savagely slaughtered” (4.3.207-208) Upon hearing the news, Malcolm tells Macduff to “dispute it like a man,” but Macduff says that he “must also feel it as a man.” (4.3.226-228) Malcolm thinks that Macduff will regain his masculinity simply by killing Macbeth. But Macduff knows that the ability to accept the difficult feelings of pain and loss demonstrates enormous mental strength. Macduff learns from his mistake, and is able to understand that true masculinity is about more than just being physically strong. Macduff knows that he must kill Macbeth himself, because “If thou beest slain, and with no stroke of [his own]/ [his] wife and children’s ghosts will haunt [him] still.” (5.7.17-18) Macduff understands that he has to kill Macbeth, not only to prove his physical strength, but also to prove his mental strength and toughness. If he does not kill Macbeth, he will be mentally weak, because the ghosts of his family will haunt him, like Banquo’s ghost haunted Macbeth. But, unlike Macbeth, Macduff is able to realize his mistakes and change paths. This is part of what makes him truly masculine, because it is extremely difficult to change paths, and it requires a lot of mental strength. So when Macduff finally kills Macbeth and holds his “cursèd head” up, Macduff proves his physical strength, as well as his mental strength. This is why he is truly masculine.