Theme+-+Bravery+&+Masculinity

Courage is a theme throughout the play. In the second scene, where the battle is described, Macbeth's courage is praised to the skies. He is "Bellona's bridegroom", a metaphor which compares him to Mars, the god of war. The Captain describes his bold exploits in battle, including the disembowelling and beheading of Macdonald and his routing of the Norwegians. He, along with Banquo, is compared to the kings of beasts and birds – to 'eagles' and 'lions', both brave noble creatures.

The first time Macbeth shows fear in the play is when the witches speak to him:"Why do you start and seem to fear things that do sound so fair?" asks Banquo. Macbeth is afraid of his own nature, which has conjured up the "horrid image" of regicide.

When he starts to reconsider killing the king, it is his courage which Lady Macbeth challenges, asking if will "live a coward?". She is scornful, saying that while he had the courage to do the murder, "then you were a man". Macbeth objects "I dare do all that may become a man – who dares do more is none". This implies that only a beast would murder Duncan. Lady Macbeth wins the argument, and so she uses the same tactic when Macbeth loses control during the banquet:"Are you a man?" Macbeth answers "Ay, and a brave one". However, this time, Lady Macbeth's taunts fail.

The idea of manhood also crops up as Macduff shows his grief over the deaths of his wife and children. Malcolm tells him to "dispute it like a man", suggesting action will help repair his sorrow. Macduff answers, "But I must also feel it like a man", as he covers his face to hide his weeping. This suggests that it is still manly to feel emotion. A true man is not without tender feelings.

Macbeth does come across as truly valiant, however. We cannot help but admire him for fighting to the last: "I'll fight till from my bones my flesh be hacked". His comparison of himself to a fighting bear; "bear-like I must fight the course" is also an image of dauntless courage. The bear is individually greater and nobler than the dogs which are set on it, but it always loses.

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