Macbeth "be a man"

Quote 1:(Act 1, Scene 5, Lines 48-50)

"That tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here, and fill me from the crown to the toe top-full of direst cruelty."

The Context: In this scene, Lady Macbeth is saying to "unsex" her so that she may be a man to kill the King, Duncan. 

The Explanation: This quote helps show that usually men had the ability to kill easily and that it was part of being a man. They do not generally have enough of a conscious to remorse after doing bad things.

Quote 2: (Act 1, Scene 7, Lines 56-56)

"When you durst do it, then you were a man; and to be more than what you were, you would be so much more the man."

The Context: This is Lady Macbeth speaking to Macbeth when he is planning to kill the King. Lady Macbeth said that Macbeth was dared to kill him and therefore he must.

 

The Explanation: Lady Macbeth says that he was dared, and therefore he must. This shows us that Shakespeare thought that a man must do whatever he is dared to do, and he can't back down.

Quote 3: (Act 2, Scene 2, Lines 68-70)

"Infirm of purpose! Give me the daggers. The sleeping and the dead are but as pictures."

The Context: When Macbeth emerges from the king's layer, he has bloody daggers in his hands. When he refuses to go back. Lady Macbeth has to do it herself.

The Explanation: After Macbeth kills the King, he has a conscious to not go back into the chamber and see what he had done. Lady Macbeth has to bring them back in there herself, but I have inferred that Shakespeare would have expected a man to go and do that himself. But Macbeth cannot.

Quote 4: (Act 3, Scene 4, Lines 69-70) 

"Feel and regard him not. [Drawing Macbeth aside.] Are you a man?"

The Context:When Macbeth is freaking out when the ghost of Banquo is at dinner, Lady Macbeth is telling the guests lies about how he has had this happen for a long time. 

The Explanation: Lady Macbeth asks Macbeth if he is a man, because he was seeing the ghost of Banquo at diner. She says that as if to ask is he okay. If he were a man, he obviously wouldn't be seeing apparitions and yelling uncontrollably. Which gives Lady Macbeth the right to ask if he is a man or not.

Quote 5:(Act 5, Scene 5, Lines 18-20)

Macbeth:"Wherefore was that cry?"

Seyton:"The Queen, my lord, is dead."

Macbeth:"She should have died hereafter."

The Context: Seyton comes to Macbeth to tell him that his wife has committed suicide.

The Explanation: Although Macbeth probably was very sad at the death of his wife, as a man, and a king. He is obligated to take care of things of more importance. For instance, his power, which was in danger at this moment during the play.

Odyssey Thematic Analysis Writing Assignment

Throughout the story of Odysseus in The Odyssey, there is a recurring theme throughout several of the books. The ability to be patient can give you assurance can be considered a theme for most of these books.

This theme can be used as an example if you think of Penelope's point of view. Although she was unsure if her husband was alive or not, she was patient and did not remarry. Through patience, she was able to see the return of her beloved husband, Odysseus. Choosing to not remarry any of the suitors rewarded her patience with the arrival of her husband so that they could be together again.

Odysseus's journey back home can also be an example of the theme the ability to be patient can give you assurance. Throughout the 10 years of being stuck on Calypso's island, Odysseus was unsure of his wife's ability to stay faithful to him. But through his patience through his travels to get home to Ithica, he was able to discover that his wife had not remarried and was still waiting for his return.

Odysseus also showed that patience has it's virtues by not revealing himself to his wife and servants at first. This was a good idea, because Odysseus figured that he would test everyone's loyalty and faithfulness. He was able to discover that some of the slave women were unfaithful and were having intercourse with the suitors. Being patient and keeping himself hidden was also a good way to reveal himself to the suitors as well as kill all of them.

These are a few ways that patience can give you assurance is illustrated throughout the book The Odyssey by Homer. There are other examples throughout the book, as well as many other themes.