Bravery, Love, and Manliness in Macbeth Vivian Burke 12th Grade

Power and social status is commonly determined by one’s drive and ambition. Successful people are set apart by their willingness to make sacrifices to accomplish their goals. Emotions are often cast aside in order to more easily make difficult moral decisions. While this callous attitude can be helpful in reaching one’s goals, it can also have detrimental effects on the well being of others. Emotional indifference is especially promoted in male positions of power; while women are expected to be compassionate and warm even in business, their male counterparts are praised for their apathy. In a culture such as this, masculinity is rooted in a suppression of feelings and strong-willed mentality. In the society of Macbeth, characters regard political power extremely high. They are power hungry and determined, willing to do nearly anything to increase their dominance. Characters are concerned with appearing as the strongest, manliest, and most dominant in their society. One’s legacy is determined by how much power they held and how honorably they held it. This tunnel vision for power can leave other areas, such as compassion, neglected. Personal relationships and loyalties are cast aside in pursuit of success. The value one places...