In Macbeth, manliness is defined as a fearless and brave man. We see many examples of the role of man being explained as a brave man who goes through any lengths to fight any challenges in order to prove his manliness.

In the beginning of Macbeth, Macbeth and Banquo are at war an fought bravely. They fought under king Duncan and fought valiantly in order to bring their kingdom honor. Although they were fighting for their king rather than themselves, they fought bravely. Macbeth was praised for this manliness and was even rewarded with the title of Thane. His society saw his courage to selflessly fight with limitless courage as manly and he was rewarded as such. He was able to prove his manliness though his fearless victory.

With this in mind, we go to Lady Macbeth. Lady Macbeth continually calls Macbeth coward when he fears murdering Banquo and Duncan in order to become king. Macbeth was able to fight for Duncan to be king yet couldn’t do the same for himself. Lady Macbeth constantly challenges Macbeth’s bravery throughout the story, since he seemed to lose his courage when she organized the murder. He was no longer brave enough to finish the job and Lady Macbeth had to take on the role of a brave man multiple times for Macbeth. She calls him a coward in book 3 for this. His wife, a woman had more courage them him and was able to outrageously arrange to kill two people in order to claim the role of king for Macbeth. While Macbeth has fears about the murder and feels guilty and hesitant rather than manly and brave, Lady Macbeth has to constantly use her unlimited courage to get the job done. She did most of the work for Macbeth and was able to gain him the kingship for these acts. Macbeth was slowly disproving his manliness to Lady Macbeth through his constant fear and hesitation.

Another manly act was shown with Macduff. Macbeth challenged Macduff’s manliness by killing his wife and children. Macbeth used his limitless courage and took this course of action to prove his manliness as king, despite the consequences that he might face. Macduff, taking this as a form of castration, sought revenge. Macduff proved to be the bigger man by courageously going against the king in an epic battle. He eventually fearlessly risks his life and takes Macbeth head on, killing Macbeth in the process and claims his revenge. Macduff did not let fear or anyone stop his efforts. He bravely and courageously proved his manliness by exacting his revenge.0

Manliness in Macbeth is displayed by the fearless and brave acts committed by characters in the face of a challenge to their manhood.