What beast was't, then,
That made you break this enterprise to me?
When you durst do it, then you were a man;
(Act 1 scene 7 lines 53-56)
Context: Lady Macbeth is getting very angry and mad at Macbeth for being afraid to do the deed of killing the King. She calls him a coward for being afraid to kill the king and then she goes and actually finishes the deed herself because of his cowardliness.
Interpretation: In this quote Lady Macbeth cannot believe Macbeth broke the promise to her and is implying that what could stop him from doing this other than a beast which would be very unlikely. Shakespeare then states that when he finally does the deed then Macbeth will be a man.
2. Malcom
Which the false man does easy, I'll to England
( Act 2 scene 4 Lines 162-163)
Context: When Malcom flees to england after his father dies. Him and His Brother Donalbain go in different directions because Donalbain is going to Ireland.
Interpretation: I think that this quote shows how not to be a man instead of being man in sort of a way. They run away from there fears instead of fighting their battles(which Malcom does later).
3. Lady Macebeth
I have given suck and know
How tender 'tis to love the babe that milks me-
I would, while it was smiling in my face,
Have pluck'd my nipple from his boneless gums
And dash'd the brains out had I so sworn as you
Have done to this. (Act 1 Scene 7 lines 62-67)
Context: Lady Macebeth is telling Macebeth that she has breast fed a her child and if asked she would tear his mouth from her and bash its head for the good of man kind.
Interpretation: Lady Macebeth is telling Macebeth that he needs to man up because even if it was her child she still would go through with it if it was for the good of the world. She is trying to convince him to kill the king.
4. Macbeth
Please, stop! I dare to do only what is proper for a man to do. He who dares to do more is not a man at all.
Lady Macbeth
What beast was ’t, then,
That made you break this enterprise to me?
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. Nor time nor place
Did then adhere, and yet you would make both.
They have made themselves, and that their fitness now
(Act 1, Scene 7, Lines 50-61)
Context: Lady Macbeth demands Macbeth to kill the king, and Macbeth has refused her. Lady Macbeth thinks that her husband has not kept his word and is not a man for it.
Interpretation: lady macebeth wants her husband to become a king and she is willing to do anything for it. She is upset to find out that when she asked Macebeth to kill the king he said he would but earlier he said he would. She gets mad and says that he is not a man.
5.1. Lady Macbeth
If much you note him
You shall offend him and extend his passion
Feed and regard him not
Are you a man?
If much you note him
You shall offend him and extend his passion
Feed and regard him not
Are you a man?
(Act 3 scene 4 Lines 68-72)
Context: Lady Macbeth says this quote when she starts to see Banquo. She is basically losing her mind and going crazy. When she sees Banquo she starts acting very odd and not like herself. She takes Macbeth aside from everything and she asks him if he is a man.
Interpret: In the book it says only Macbeth can see Banquo so when Lady Macbeth sees Banquo then things get reall weird and she starts going crazy so she ask Macbeth questions on how he is manly and if he is a man.
