Examples Of Masculinity In Macbeth

Macbeth is a Shakespearean tragedy, written between the years of 1599 and 1606. It tells the story of a Scottish general, known as Macbeth who receives a prophecy from three witches claiming that he will, someday, become king of Scotland. The play demonstrates two main themes through the desires of kingship and power Lady Macbeth has for Macbeth and the numerous murders committed by Macbeth in order to fulfill these and his own want for power. The two main themes of Macbeth include ‘the corrupting nature of unchecked ambition’ and ‘the relationship between cruelty and masculinity.’ The first and most common theme, ‘the corrupting nature of unchecked ambition,’ initially arises when Macbeth tells Lady Macbeth of his new title and how he is
Macbeth is overwhelmed by guilt and beings to hallucinate daggers, blood etc. This scene introduces the idea that there is a relationship between cruelty and masculinity: masculinity being the qualities that are supposed to ‘make a man’,’ such as physical strength and courage. Macbeth wishes to contain his loyalty to King Duncan in the beginning but after being question of his masculinity by his wife, Lady Macbeth, he rethinks his loyalty to the King and murders him. This theme is one of the most significant events in the novel due to the relationship of cruelty and masculinity becoming prominent to the play. Macbeth becomes paranoid that the chamberlains will regain their memory of the night and being to tell the people of his crime, Macbeth panics and out of rage for the chamberlains ‘committed crime,’ (framed for murder) Macbeth kills the chamberlains and takes the place of King Duncan on the throne. Throughout the course of the novel Macbeth becomes increasingly distressed over losing his peoples trust and being caught guilty of his crimes. Macbeth, becoming paranoid of losing his place on the throne, attempts to murder the next two people in line for the throne: successfully murdering