Macbeth: What Makes a Man?

Macbeth: What Makes a Man?
Five Quotes from Macbeth That Might Make You A Manly Man

1.Quote:
"I have almost forgot the taste of fears." (Act 5, Scene 5, Line 15)

Context and Paraphrase: This is later in the play after some of the plotting and murder has taken place. Macbeth is learning that his wife has died from Seyton. He is starting to process his feelings and emotions.

Interpretation and Explanation: In the play one of the themes is that to be a man you can not have many fears. Macbeth is saying that it has been a long time since he was fearful or felt fear; it is a macho stand to take and to express openly to others. It is macho on two levels -- first, to say you haven't had fear for so long, and second, to express you have had fears -- to be man enough to talk about feelings rather than suppress it. To express it shows some feeling which has not been evident in all of Macbeth's plotting during the play.

2. Quote:
"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. Make thick my blood.
Stop up th' access and passage to remorse," (Act 1, Scene 5, Lines 47-51

Context and Paraphrase: Lady Macbeth is saying she is going to kill the king if Macbeth does not. She is calling for action and saying that this is macho act.

Interpretation and Explanation: Lady Macbeth is saying to the spirits to make her like a man by giving her manly qualities such as cruelty and a lack of remorse. This will allow her to do what she needs to do -- take the life of the king. It shows cool, calculated actions make a man.

3. Quote:
"There the grown serpent lies. The worm that's fled
Hath nature that in time will venom breed,
No teeth for th' present. Get thee gone. Tomorrow
We'll hear ourselves again."

Context and Paraphrase: The king has just been killed and Macbeth is discussing the killing. He is implying it was no big deal to do this. He says they will catch up tomorrow.

Interpretation and Explanation: Manly men can murder with little or no regard to the lives they have taken. There is no need to bother with more thoughts on weak-natured people.

4. Quote:
"What man dare, I dare.
Approach thou like the rugged Russian bear,
The armed rhinoceros, or th' Hyrcan tiger;
Take any shape but that, and my firm nerves
Shall never tremble. Or be alive again
And dare me to the desert with thy sword.
If trembling I inhabit then, protest me
The baby of a girl. Hence, horrible shadow!
Unreal mock'ry, hence!"  (Act 3, Scene 4, Lines 121-129)

Context and Paraphrase: Macbeth confronts the ghost and says he can stand up to any man, no matter how tough he appears to be. By comparing himself to the toughest known adversaries of the day, he is saying he is an equal match to any of these.

Interpretation and Explanation: Macbeth compares himself to some of the fiercest animals who can do whatever they want because of the fear they instill in others. By comparing himself to tough animals he draws the comparison to his own sense of his strength. He says his nerve are unflappable and he is a person of bold action.

5. Quote:
 "The castle of Macduff I will surprise,
Seize upon the Fife, give to th' edge o' th' sword
His wife, his babes, and all unfortunate souls
That trace him in his line. No boasting like a fool;
This deed I'll do before the purpose cool." (Act 4, Scene 1, Lines 171-175)

Context and Paraphrase: Lennox tells Macbeth that Macduff has fled to England. Macbeth responds by saying he will go to Macduff's castle and kill them.

Interpretation and Explanation: Macbeth proves to be ruthless and one who is not afraid to wield the sword. Clearly to him, being manly means taking bold action without much thought. Killing women and children bring him no greater concern than killing men -- for men need to take bold action and be bold actors.

The Odyssey: Common Themes

The Odyssey is a classic story of a man finding his place in the world. Through twenty-four books, many themes bind it together. Stories 11,12,13,16,19,21,22 share the common theme that life needs to be valued. Book 11 highlights this theme as Odysseus travels to "The land of the dead", and while he is there, he talks with Achilles. Achilles says to Odysseus that he would rather still be living as a beggar than die and live in heaven as a king. "But you, Achilles, there is not a man more blest than you -- there never has been, never will be one. Time was, when you were alive, we Argives honored you as a God, and now down here, I see, you lorded over the dead in all your power. So grieve no more at dying, Great Achilles. I reassured the ghost, but he broke out, protesting, 'No winning words about death to me, shining Odysseus! By God I'd rather slave on earth for another man -- some dirt poor tenant farmer who scrapes to keep alive --than rule down here over the breathless dead.' (Page 265, lines 554-560). This shows how much certain people value life and how precious the gift of life is.

Later in book 13 after he returns from the land of the dead, Odysseus sees again the value of life and that he shouldn't take anything for granted. Life is like a precious gem. Poseidon says to Zeus "I said my self that Odysseus would suffer long and hard before he made it home..." (Page 290, lines 148-149). If Poseidon would have made Odysseus suffer, he may not have had the strength to make it home. Because Odysseus is so strong both physically and emotionally he stays alive. Being alive and physically able, helps drive home the point of suffering making life become more precious because we cherish it more and don't take it for granted.

Near the end of Odysseus' journey, the god Athena disguises him as an old homeless beggar. This disguise is not meant as a punishment, but as a way to show how we should value life no matter how the life appears. Beggar Odysseus says 'I once too lived in a lofty house that men admired: rolling in wealth, I'd often give to a vagabound like myself, whoever he was, whatever need had brought him to my door. And crowds of servants I had, and lots of all it takes to live the life of ease, to make men call you rich. But Zeus ruined it all -- God's will no doubt. So be ware, women, or one day you may lose it all." (Page 392, lines 82-88). Odysseus tells the men not to take life for granted and to help people when given the opportunity -- doing so will make the gods happy and give you more wealth and power. A good, well run life, it seems should be valued for all since the rewards of such a life benefit everyone involved.