Blog 10: What is a man?

What is a man? Many people have different answers to this question. Some believe you become a man when you reach a certain age or when you move out of your parent's house. Some believe a man is defined by the amount of money he makes, or females he "associates" with.
For me, to be considered a man, you must be: responsible, courageous, honest, proud, confident, loyal, adventurous, a provider for your family, and mentally and physically tough. A real man looks to better himself and and invests in his success. He learns how to lead rather than follow. Males are born but men are made.
The exterior of Macbeth shows several "manly" qualities. Early in the play, He is praised by King Duncan for his bravery and loyalty for his role as general of the Scottish army. Macbeth possesses many titles in the play. He is a general, Thane of Cawdor, a husband, and eventually King of Scotland. However, his journey to the throne is not very admirable. In fact, it is Lady Macbeth who convinces Macbeth to kill Duncan. (Act 1, Scene 5; Lady Macbeth says;"I may pour my spirits in thine ear, and chastise with the valour of my tongue all that impedes thee from the golden round.") She feels that Macbeth is not ambitious and must find a way to convince him to kill Duncan in order for her to gain power through her husband. Macbeth is easily convinced by his wife to carry out this deed, proving that she wears the pants in the relationship.
After the murder of Duncan, Macbeth becomes very paranoid, hearing voices (Act 2 Scene2; "Sleep no more, Macbeth does murder sleep") and hallucinating. After believing in the predictions by the witches and the diabolical plan of his wife, the once strong, confident Macbeth proves that he is weak. He is not a true leader and not worthy of being called a man.