The Five Manly Quotes of Macbeth

    The famous philosopher Plato once stated, "The man who makes everything lead to happiness depends upon himself and not upon other men."  The definition of manliness has always been "being assertive and having control of your present and future."  In William Shakespeare's Macbeth, he addresses the idea of manliness in the main character Macbeth.
    One example of Shakespeare's view on manliness comes when Lady Macbeth is attempting to convince Macbeth to murder Duncan.  Lady Macbeth says, "What best was't then that made you break this enterprise to me?  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" (1.7, 53-58).  This is showing that Shakespeare believes that the male should have dominant and competitive qualities.  If he doesn't, he can't truly be called a man.
     Another example of Shakespeare's views on manliness occurs when Macbeth states, "Hang out our banners on the outward walls.  The cry is still 'They come!' our castle's strength.  Will Laugh a siege to scorn. Here let them lie.  Till famine and the ague eat them up.  Were they not forced with those that should be ours, We might have met them dareful, beard to beard, And beat them backward home. " (5.5, 1-8). In this quote, Macbeth is talking about the man in side of him that he is bringing to the war for who will be the true king of Scottland. The man who has started this war against Macbeth is the son of the once known king, Malcolm. The reason for why Malcolm does not controlle the royal thrown of Scottland is due to Macbeth murdering the old king that was later blamed on him for fleeing of Scottland to England.  This is important because Shakespeare believes that men should be constantly trying to better their position in life and to keep control of what, potentially, could be theirs.
    Another example of manliness in Macbeth happens as Macbeth says, "I have almost  forgot the tast of fears."  (5.5,19).  Macbeth has just heard the scream of terror from a woman. The scream heard from many men was due to the Lady Macbeth's suicide.  Shakespeare's opinion on manliness also seems to include that he should care about his wife and her safety.
    Macbeth displays manliness when he states, "I will not yeild to kiss the ground before young Malcolm's feet and to be baited with th rabble's curse. though Birnam Wood be come to Dunsinane and thou opposed, being og no woman born, yet I will try the last" (5.8, 32-37).  This is spoken to Macduff during one of the final battles in the text.  Macbeth is proclaiming that, despite the prophecy coming true, he is not afriad to fight for the crown that he believes is his.  This displays Shakespeare's version of manliness because he is brave in the face of insurmountable odds.
    Another example of the idea of manliness comes when Macbeth states, "That will never be.  Who can impress the forest, bid the tree, unfix his earthbound root?" (4.1, 108-110).  In the quote, Macbeth is talking to the witches.  He believes that there is no way to have their prophecy come true, so he is free to become King without any consequences.  This is important because it shows that Shakespeare believes that arrogance plays a big role in manliness.