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.