Masculinity Flashcards
Context
Men had a significantly easier time than women. They were householders, politicians,
landlords. They were encouraged to be aggressive, particularly in their sexuality - male
sexuality was celebrated. However, there were still expectations of how men should act.
They were the bread-winners, and needed to be financially independent. Being a warrior
was viewed as one of the most honourable things a man could be, and dying in battle was
the idealised way to die, especially in the Medieval Era, when the play is set.
Macbeth
Fear and paranoia are deemed to be incompatible with the Jacobean view of
masculinity. Within the play the male figures do everything they can to repress or reject
these feelings and thereby retain their masculinity.
Shakespeare presents Macbeth as a conflicted character who struggles to keep his fear at
bay. In giving into his fear, Macbeth becomes feminised and these contradicting forces
add to his fear. After Duncan’s murder he is both scared of the man he has become but also
of the masculinity he is losing.
Vaulting ambition, which o’erleaps itself
“I dare do all that may become a man; / Who dares do more, is none” (Act 1, Scene 7):
Macbeth attempts to assert his masculinity by stating that he will do anything a man should, but also acknowledges that going beyond that is not necessary.
Fleance’s escape
When he hears that Fleance escaped, Macbeth admits he is scared again, adding, “I had
else been perfect; / Whole as the marble, founded as the rock, / As broad and general
as the casing air: / But now I am cabined, cribbed, confined, bound in / To saucy
doubts and fears,” (3.4).
➔ The use of the adjective “perfect” implies fear somehow pollutes or taints
manhood. Macbeth is a flawed man because of his “doubts and fears”.
➔ The similes referring to “marble”, “rock”, and “air” portray men as powerful,
strong, and dominant, like nature itself. “Marble” connotes sculptures or luxury,
suggesting masculinity is flawlessly constructed by God.
➔ His “doubts and fears” overwhelm and surround him, and Shakespeare argues this
is why Macbeth continues murdering others and being a tyrant - as a means of
escape.
Malcolm and Macduff
Though most of the play explores masculinity through the definition of violence and
bravery, Shakespeare offers an alternative, deeper, more emotional form of manhood
through Malcolm and Macduff. This form of masculinity seems to triumph overall, as Malcolm
becomes king. He restores order to his kingdom even though his understanding of
manhood differs from the norm.
Malcolm’s attempts to test Macduff’s morals and loyalties are interesting in their presentation
of the ideal man. He warns Macduff of “the cistern of [his] lust”, his “desire”, his
“stanchless avarice”, and his “voluptuousness” (4.3), associating masculinity with
unstoppable sexual desire. His fabricated personality is the epitome of the aggressive
lust society encourages in men.
Macduff admits, “Boundless intemperance / In nature is a tyranny,” a line that is a perfect
summary for the whole play, but also serves to suggest men are encouraged to be tyrants.
Patriarchy grants men unconditional power, allowing them to indulge every need.
A revelatory moment in the presentation of masculinity in Macbeth is when Macduff learns
of the slaughter of his children and wife. He cries, “All my pretty ones? / Did you say all?
O hell-kite! All? / What, all my pretty chickens and their dam / At one fell swoop?”
(4.3). The repetitive questions, exclamations, and broken speech convey his extreme
emotional distress, making him appear unmasculine in the traditional sense. The phrase
“my pretty ones” expresses deep paternal love, suggesting masculinity can be tender
and loving.
When Lady Macbeth accuses him of being a “coward”, he replies, “Prithee, peace. / I dare
do all that may become a man; / Who dares do more is none,” (1.7). The plea “Prithee,
peace” suggests that he cannot withstand the attack on his masculinity, as
Shakespeare conveys how sensitive and fragile he is. It seems as if a man’s sense of
manhood is dependent on the women in his life.
Lady Macbeth is implying Macbeth is not “a man” because he refuses to murder Duncan,
suggesting that masculinity is proven with violence, but Macbeth disagrees. The line “I dare
do all that may become a man; / Who dares do more is none” suggests manhood is tied
to honour. He argues those who go against the natural order or pursue more power aren’t
men, either because they aren’t human or because they aren’t noble. Shakespeare implies
there are two ‘types’ of man that people can choose from: one is violent, the other is
chivalrous.
