Summary: The Definition Of Manhood In Macbeth

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There are many factors that determine manhood. For some manhood is the ability to complete hard tasks, for others manhood is the basic condition of being human. In Macbeth, however, manhood is a set of various undefined ideals. Throughout the play, there is a struggle to define manhood. Shakespeare sets up the definition of manhood as a puzzle, a little piece of it is given every chapter, in hope to ultimately form the complete definition.

Shakespeare drops key pieces of the definition of manhood in act one.

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In act one, an argument between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth spurs as they are deciding whether to kill duncan or not. She says, “When you durst to do it, then you were a man.” Manhood is presented as a core trait and belief to all the men in Shakespeare’s play, a man’s sense of existence depends entirely on whether he has his manhood or not. With this insight shrewdly placed in her mind, Lady Macbeth plays with Macbeth’s whole sense of existence and pride in an effort to get him to murder Duncan.

Another compelling point in act 1 is when Lady Macbeth says, “Come, you spirits that tend on mortal thoughts! Unsex me here, and fill me from the crown to the toe top-full of direst cruelty.” As she seeks to successfully execute her regicidal plans, she calls on dark spirits to expel any female characteristic about her. She wants to be stripped of her loving qualities and have them replaced by “direst cruelty.

” Through this Lady Macbeth truly tries to take on the characteristics of a warrior. She wants to be cruel, brave, thick blooded, and unsexed, thus becoming a male. Lady Macbeth needed to be transfigured into a man in order for her plans to come to fruition. A theme of manhood is presented through this: Manhood brings out a set of qualities that make committing horrendous, inhumane acts acceptable.

To better illustrate his point, Shakespeare shows contrast in his definition of Manhood in act two. During act two, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth murder king Duncan but omitt to put blood on the guards' faces in order to frame them. When prompted to return onto the murder scene to terminate the coup Macbeth states that he, ' will go no more: 'he is' afraid to think what 'he has' done; lookon 't again 'he' dare not.' In this passage Macbeth is shown lacking manhood as he doesn't own up to his actions. Shakespeare shows both sides of the definition of manhood to give his audience a clearer picture. Manhood is shown as something it isn't throughout this quote: cowardice and non ownership over one's actions. This is in strong contrast to act one where manhood is presented as bavery, courage and ownership. Overall act two serves as a minor, yet essential building block in the formation of Shakespeare's definition of manhood.

In act four Shakespeare adds an unexpected twist to the traditional definition of manhood, he adds the element of emotion. Towards the end of chapter four, a messenger tells Macduff and Malcolm about the slaughter of Macduff's household. Macduff cries out, however, upon hearing this malcolm urges him to, 'dispute it like a man.' Malcolm is holding on to traditional beliefs in which men must be tough and conceal their emotions. To this Macduff responded, ' I shall do so, but first i must feel like a man.'This shows that manhood can be expressed through emotions as well. Macduff felt love and loyalty to his family, after such a grave loss, his true manhood expresses all of its qualities through sincere mourning. One of the qualities particularly expressed in this passage is manhood's intensity. Through the events, Macduff gets his drive for rightful vengeance after channeling his mourning and distress. This shows that emotional manhood does not mean to brush past emotions, rather, it means to feel through the sincere emotions and channel them in order to achieve a greater purpose.

Finally, Shakepeare lays the last building blocks of the definition of manhood in act five, death. Late in act five, Ross tells Siward about his son's death and said, ' but like a man he died.' Since manhood is presented as a core trait and belief to all the men in Shakespeare’s play, a man’s sense of existence depends entirely on whether he has his manhood or not. When it comes to death, to die with manhood in Shakespeare is seen as dying with honor. Even dead, young Siward's father is very proud of him, as young Siward stood for his ideals and went towards the fight rather than run from it. This also fits in the definition of manhood perfectly, as it is very noble. Death is the last, yet essential, piece of the Shakespearean definition of manhood, without it the definition would not cover the core and most important parts of being men.

The definition of manhood in Macbeth is pieced all throughout Shakespeare's play. In act one Manhood is presented as a core trait and belief to all the men in Shakespeare’s play, a man’s sense of existence depends entirely on whether he has his manhood or not. In act two manhood is contrasted and anti-defined(word for defining what it's not. In act four emotional manhood is presented and defined feeling through sincere emotions and channeling them in order to achieve a greater purpose. Finally, in act five, Shakespeare completes the cycle and inserts death in the definition. Any honorable death is a manly death.With all of these parts, the whole definition of manhood in Macbeth can be formed and no be formed at the same time. Manhood in this play does not have a set one sentence definition, however, applying the various pieces of definitions to real life scenarios can give the audience a little idea of what Shakespeare had in mind when defining manhood.