Witch Slapped: Macbeth's fall from Grace

While Macbeth was Shakespeare's shortest written work, the themes he explored merit hundred page analyses. One of the most interesting themes explored through Macbeth and Lady Macbeth's relationship was the concept of manhood.

Shakespeare's idea of manhood was that a true man made decisions and did not need the input of his wife, or anyone else for that matter. This is shown through Lady Macbeth's frequent emasculation of Macbeth with lines such as "are you a man?" (Act III, Scene IV) and "When you durst do it, then you were a man; And, to be more than what you were, you would be so much more the man" (Act I, Scene VII). Macbeth is looked down by Shakespeare on for viewing his wife as an equal and being interested in her input. This view would have been held by all of the people in England at this point in time.

This idea of manhood differs from the view of manhood held today. Manhood today is no longer about not listening to your wife, it is about being humble, strong, and decisive. It is not manly to ignore others or take no input, rather it is viewed as foolish. A man today is defined by his ability to collaborate, his ability to stick to his morals, and his ability to provide a good example for others. It is  worth it to mention that conventional ideas of manhood from Shakespeare's time period have not faded away completely. A man is still expected to provide for his family, to be physically strong, and to be a little out of touch with their emotions.

What it takes to be a good man is case specific, but on the whole it depends on the different types of  strength. A good man is a good father and a good friend, someone who is strong but kind and fun to be around; that is emotional strength. A good man is smart and knows what he wants out of life; that is logical strength. A good man is able to work with others and compromise when need be, he knows that he does not know everything and is not always right; that is social strength. And finally a good man needs to be able to protect himself and the people he cares about in case of emergency; this is physical strength. Good men may look different, come from different places, and speak different languages, but all good men have these character traits in common.

My views on manhood differ from Macbeth in a few aspects, but have many overlaps. For example I believe that a good man needs to be smart and know what he wants out of life, and Shakespeare expresses that same theme via Macbeth's pursuit of political power. I also agreed with Shakespeare in believing that a man needs to be a protector of his family. Lady Macbeth places a high amount of value on Macbeth being king of Scotland, because she believes that it is what is best for herself and Macbeth. A King is the most revered and respected person within a nation, and with respect comes safety.

My views on what being a man is differ from the play in two key ways. I do not believe that men  have to be the sole financial provider for their families, and Shakespeare does not represent this theme at all throughout the play. I also do not believe that men should be out of touch with their emotions, and Macbeth's downfall are his emotions. Macbeth's guilt from killing Banquo is what leads to his rapid decline in the final act of the play, and this is Shakespeare's version of warning men of what perils befall those who do not have their emotions in check.