Is it his height?
His strength?
His handiness?
His facial hair abilities?
His body odor? (just kidding…kind of)
The definition of what a "man" should look like varies from person to person and from era to era. It depends the culture and upbringing of a person to create the bias that influences how they perceive men. In the era of Macbeth (or at least the era where Macbeth was set) a man was supposed to be viewed as an aggressive warrior type who wanted to consume power no matter what he would have to do to possess it. For example, when Lady Macbeth was trying to get the courage to murder the king, she wanted to become more like a man, because she thought that it was manly to murder someone to gain power. She also thought it manly to not feel guilt about harsh deeds. In Act I, Scene V, she asks the spirits to "unsex me here and fill me from the crown to the toe top-full of direst cruelty! Make thick my blood; stop up the access and passage to remorse."
A "good man" is another debatable term that many people react to differently. There are multitudes of songs defining and debating manhood including "I'm Still a Guy" by Brad Paisley. Paisley sings, "These days there's dudes getting facials, manicured, waxed and bottomed, with deep spray-on tans and creamy lotiony hands you can't grip a tackle box. With all of these men lining up to get neutered, it's hip now to be feminized. I don't highlight my hair, I've still got a pair. Yeah honey, I'm still a guy. Oh my eyebrows ain't plucked. There's a gun in my truck, Oh thank God, I'm still a guy." Paisley is perpetuating the aggressive stereotype expressed by Lady Macbeth that a man must be rough and tough. He also brings up the "having a pair" situation…which is awkward to include in an English blog, but what the hay! It's a common topic that many guys bring up when it comes to "manliness".
However, in the song "Ain't Got Nothin'" by The Kickin Grass Band, the lead singer verbalizes that her dad used to tell her, "It don't take britches to make a man, it takes a good woman with a loving hand. And your Momma's in the kitchen frying bread on the pan, so you know we'll be okay." This song implies that a good man loves his wife and has a solid family foundation. This kindness yet again goes against Lady Macbeth's view that only women can be kind. In the same scene as before, she writes, "Yet I do fear thy nature; it is too full o' the milk of human kindness."
Personally, I think that a "good man" is someone who is confident in himself, yet humble. He spends time with his family, and makes a point to help lead them toward a Christ-ly love. He is a protecter, but also a willing caregiver. I am not one for setting gender roles in place, and I do not think that a man "leads" by making all the money or not doing any chores around the house, but I do think that a man should set a good example for the rest of his family, as should his wife. A good man will put others before himself and admit fault when he does something wrong. He will love others and will be conscious of those around him. While a good man does not have to live up to all of these "good man" standards 24/7, he should somewhat try to meet these goals of a modern man's "goodness".
Can I get an aMEN?
Yaasss Marin lovin the puns! Oh, and I completely agree with you and noticed that, in MacBeth, manliness is equated with aggression. Lady MacBeth even questioned her own husband's manhood because he wouldn't take his fate in his own hands and kill Duncan! Nowadays, however, I feel like that concept of manhood is frowned upon. Of course there are the guys who won't wear pink for fear of looking "gay" or the ones who believe in the tough guy persona and that showing emotion is a sign of weakness. Like you Marin, I think that a "good man" is one who is confident in himself but not arrogant. He is not afraid to laugh at his mistakes or own up to them. Unlike MacBeth, the modern "good man" does not betray those who have been loyal to him. Great job, Marin!
ReplyDeleteMarin, this post is awesome!! I thought it was very intriguing how you began with listing these traits that people stereotype men with, in a very humerus way. The fact that Lady MacBeth thinks the only way she can have power is by being manly makes me wonder if that feeling is still around today. Obviously, women have started to have more power on their own, but some people still think that men have more power. I wonder if this will keep increasing or will there always be this idea that men should have more power? I really liked how you included the songs to show this idea of manliness in our culture today. I never would have thought to connect a country song, to Shakespeare, but this song definitely does relate. Well done Marin! (:
ReplyDeleteHow does your definition of manliness compare to Lady Macbeth's character and actions?
ReplyDeleteI really liked this post and the examples you used of a modern society man. The song, "Im Still a Guy," is what i feel like best fits our society's views of how a man should look and carry himself. I also liked how you discussed the phrase, "having a pair". I think everyone knows what this phrase is referring to because it is such a common phrase used today. Another example of this phrase is seen in a Vine a recently viewed. In this Vine, a man is pretending to be a young child complaining to his father about being scared of the dark. The father responds with, "Scared? Maybe it'll help if you take your nuts out of your purse and man up." He then goes on to explain that he wont raise "no female". Although this Vine was created with a comedic intent, it still portrays how we view men. It is seen that the young boy needs to "man up" because it isn't manly to be afraid of the dark, reinstating your idea that men need to be tough. Overall i really enjoyed your post and thought you brought up very interesting points regarding manliness.
ReplyDeleteMarin this post was great! I really enjoyed the songs that you used to connect modern day images of a "man" with that of Macbeth, specifically what Lady Macbeth thinks a man is. I have often thought about does a guy really have to like fishing and getting dirty to be a man when listening to the song I'm Still A Guy. I think however that in our society we are starting to move away from the stereotypical man and are more open to different personalities in men....its a work in progress though. Overall great connections and an enjoyable post to read.
ReplyDeleteNice post Marin! I liked how you used a modern example of manliness to show that the definition of manliness expressed by lady Macbeth is still around. However, I found it interesting that now there are multiple definitions of manliness as shown by your personal definition.
ReplyDelete