So I'll be answering question number 4 in this blog post.
How do the values of manhood differ in modern times? What do you think it takes to be a good man? Explain how your views are like or unlike those in the play, using examples from the text.
In modern times values of manhood depend on the person, although it seems we still have this ridiculous idea of masculinity versus femininity and if a person fails to fit in to what society views as that as a man or a woman, the majority of people will judge them.
So lets see here, some of the similar things we see about manhood since then are:
1. A penis. Apparently, this is seen as the ultimate necessity to be a man. Even today, which is condemning to transmen or men that are intersexual (you may know this as the term hermaphrodite).
2. Strength is a value; physical strength, mental strength, and emotional strength. If you are a man and you show what would be considered weakness, such as not being able to lift things, not being able to mentally handle things, or showing emotions, you will in fact be mocked.
3. Cannot be effeminate.
If there are differences it is that you can argue society today is a little more accepting, however this sexism and societal gender roles still exists, which are not only detrimental to women, but to men as well if they do not align perfectly to these values.
So, now, what do I think it takes to be a good man?
I think all the qualities that a good human should have makes a good man. If you identify as a man that's good enough for me, congratulations you're a man. A good man would be a person that isn't an overall terrible person, maybe they are nice, they aren't mean to people. I do not think they have to fit into gender roles in order to be considered 'good'.
I think my views of this whole thing are very different from those in the play. The simplest example I have from the text is Lady Macbeth's views which are very prominent. About how weak Macbeth was in fact, not man enough, and how she wanted to be a man so that she would be powerful enough. As if she would make a 'better' man than he would in the long run, because of him not taking action immediately, thinking things out, expressing feelings such as guilt rather than going ahead and fearlessly killing the King.
However, it could also be argued that because of the fact Shakespeare reversed Lady Macbeth's and Macbeth's gender roles maybe he viewed them differently. In the long run, however, the views of the characters in the text display these 'normal' views about masculinity and femininity that do not necessarily fit with my own views.
