What does Macbeth mean Bring forth men children only?

Answer 1

Well, darling, in Shakespeare's play "Macbeth," the line "Bring forth men-children only" is basically Lady Macbeth telling the spirits to make her less feminine and more ruthless so she can commit murder without feeling guilty. She's basically asking to be stripped of her nurturing, motherly instincts so she can be a stone-cold killer. So, in a nutshell, she's asking for some serious gender-bending supernatural help to toughen her up for some dirty deeds.

Answer 2

In Act 1, Scene 7 of Shakespeare's "Macbeth," Lady Macbeth expresses her desire for her husband to only father male children. She believes that men are seen as stronger and more capable of ruling than women, and she wants her husband to only produce sons who can inherit power and continue their legacy. This line reflects the gender norms and expectations of the time, where male heirs were often preferred over female ones for succession and power.

Answer 3

After having heard a description of a horrible deed Lady M assures she is capable of committing, Macbeth replies these famous words-"Bring forth men children only for thy undaunted mettle should compose nothing but males." meaning he thinks she is incapable of raising female children. It is truly not a compliment, Macbeth feels disgust towards her description of how she'd bash the head of the child whom moments before was sucking milk from her bosom.

This two lines are commonly interpreted as Macbeth saying she will only give him male children which was what most people would have wanted-as male children would continue the royal lineage-but truly, he thought that a woman with her "undaunted mettle" or mind/way of thinking... should not be allowed to raise a girl... look back at how Lady M refers to Macbeth as having too much of "the milk of human kindness."

Their gender roles at the onset of the play are almost (or in some ways) reversed.

Answer 4

so that when Macbeth dies it goes to his son to become king

Answer 5

"Bring forth men-children only, for thy undaunted mettle should compose nothing but males." pharase