[Ramsey argues that one of the organizing themes of Macbeth is that of manliness. Furthermore, the critic maintains, the more Macbeth pursues his ideal if manliness, the less humane he becomes, until he at last forfeits humanity, only to realize that his concept of manhood is worthless. Ramsey then explores Lady Macbeth s repudiation of gender and her cruel questioning of Macbeth s manhood in an attempt to turn his wavering over Duncan s murder Into determination. According to the critic, the upshot of this "incredible mixture of insinuation and bullying is that Macbeth is forced to accept a concept of manliness that consists wholly in rampant self-seeking aggression." Even after Macbeth murders Duncan, the critic contends. he continues to distance himself from humaneness by ruthlessly pursuing this vision of manliness. Ramsey also examines the.....
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