Gender and manhood in Macbeth

Lady Macbeth says a real man kills. Macbeth believes her. Macduff says a real man also cries.

The quotes

12 quotes, in the order they happen.

Yet do I fear thy nature; It is too full o' th' milk of human kindness

Lady Macbeth · Act 1, Scene 5 · gender and manhood · ambition

Lady Macbeth thinks her husband is too kind. She wants to make him hard.

Come, you spirits That tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here

Lady Macbeth · Act 1, Scene 5 · gender and manhood · the supernatural · violence

She asks the spirits to take away the woman in her. Then she can be cruel.

We will proceed no further in this business

Macbeth · Act 1, Scene 7 · ambition · gender and manhood

Macbeth says no. He will not do it. His wife changes his mind in forty lines.

Was the hope drunk Wherein you dressed yourself?

Lady Macbeth · Act 1, Scene 7 · gender and manhood · ambition

She asks if his courage was only drunk talk. She is making fun of him.

When you durst do it, then you were a man

Lady Macbeth · Act 1, Scene 7 · gender and manhood · violence

She says a real man would do it. He believes her.

I dare do all that may become a man. Who dares do more is none

Macbeth · Act 1, Scene 7 · gender and manhood · violence

Macbeth says a real man knows when to stop. He loses this fight.

I have given suck, and know How tender 'tis to love the babe that milks me

Lady Macbeth · Act 1, Scene 7 · gender and manhood · violence

She says she would kill her own baby before she broke a promise. This is how far she will go.

But screw your courage to the sticking place And we'll not fail

Lady Macbeth · Act 1, Scene 7 · ambition · gender and manhood

Hold your nerve tight, like a bow string. Then we will not fail.

Bring forth men-children only

Macbeth · Act 1, Scene 7 · gender and manhood

He gives in. He says a woman this hard should only have sons.

My hands are of your color, but I shame To wear a heart so white

Lady Macbeth · Act 2, Scene 2 · gender and manhood · guilt

Her hands are as red as his. But she is not scared. He is.

All my pretty ones? Did you say "all"? O hell-kite! All?

Macduff · Act 4, Scene 3 · violence · gender and manhood

Macduff hears his family is dead. He asks again and again. He cannot believe it.

But I must also feel it as a man

Macduff · Act 4, Scene 3 · gender and manhood

Malcolm says take it like a man. Macduff says a man feels it too.