Are you a man, Macbeth?

The time is the 21st century. Values and ideals of "manhood" have changed to a degree since Shakespeare's times. When reading Macbeth, Lady Macbeth, in particular, frequently comments on Macbeth's manhood, or lack there of. In the lead up to the murder of King Duncan, Macbeth is hesitant because he is faced with killing the King, who is also his friend, for the throne.

In Act 1, Scene 7, lines 49-51, Lady Macbeth says " When you durst do it, then you were a man;/And to be more than that you were, you would/Be so much more the man." Here Lady M is saying that once he commits the murder and "durst do it," he will become "more the man" than he was before. This ideal of having to kill someone to prove, especially to your wife, that you are a man is a value that society had in the 16th century. I also don't agree with the fact that Lady Macbeth sort of belittles Macbeth when he says he doesn't want to and can't kill Duncan. Mocking his inability to carry out a task (such as MURDER) is not helping his manhood. After Duncan is dead and Macbeth and his Lady are conversing, Macbeth says "I am afraid to think what I have done." (2.2.55) Macbeth's conscience is wavering at this point, which is a something that wouldn't happen to a "strong man."

In modern times, the values of manhood have been altered.  My views are different from those in the text because I personally don't think murdering someone constitutes a guy as a "man." Quite the opposite, I'd say. But by saying that would be the opposite, I'm not saying that he would be considered feminine. He would be seen as a figure that resorts to violence to solve problems, which is not a good way to deal with your problems. Obviously.

Society I think, as a whole, says that values such as being respectful, knowledgeable, and having the ability to get things done in a mature way represent a guy who has reached manhood. But "manhood" itself isn't a clearly defined concept and doesn't have a clearly defined time in a guy's life where it's like Boom, you are now considered a man.

I think values for manhood should be determine by men, as a whole, but they should also take into consideration what values women like. For me personally, a guy will not (and should not) have to kill someone to prove his manhood. All that will get you is life in jail. Just bring me some chocolate and I'll accept your manhood, in whatever state it may be.

On a side note, it's also really kind of weird, from today's stand point, that Lady Macbeth is like You're such a wimp, just kill the king already . . . Oh you're not going to do it? Well I will. Oh wait, he looks like my father, so I can't actually do it. But Lady Macbeth's entrancement with becoming more masculine is another topic for exploration which I'll save for another time.