Comment: The Portrait of a Macho


Portrait of a Man by Vilmos Aba-Novák

Macho: denoting or exhibiting pride in characteristics believed to be typically masculine, such as physical strength, sexual appetite, virility, domination of women and aggression.

The above definition does not make justice to the word macho (in fact, it describes machos as being misogynists and sadistic). 

The portrait of a macho is much more complex than this, and therefore, I would like to share my opinion on the issue. 

What is a Macho? A true macho is:
  • A man who knows his place in society. Yes, he is physically stronger than women, since he was originally created to toil (providing, thus, financial security), to fight (ensuring, therefore, physical security), to muscle (granting, for instance, sexual security) and to endure (supplying, for example, emotional security). Having said this, a man’s place in society is to offer security, period.
  • A male who comprehends that sex is a consensual act intended not only to perpetuate our species but also to make the body exult. A true male uses not sex to humiliate or torture women. 
  • A male who knows that virility does not have to mean brutality. 
  • A Homo Sapiens who respects women; who fears them not. He has not the need to belittle and humiliate them; to mistreat and abuse them or even mutilate them; for he understands that women were built to complement him and not to be his punching bag. A true man walks beside his woman, not in front of her. 
  • A Homo Sapiens who realises that he is not an animal (hence the genus Homo Sapiens: modern species of humans) and therefore aggression is below him. A modern human makes use of Reason, of Intellect, of all the things that make him truly sexy.
A real macho thinks. He balances the inherent Apollonian and Dionysian natures (refinement, sobriety; emphasis on superficial appearance and detachment from undifferentiated immediacy of nature Vs immersion in the wholeness of nature, intoxication, non-rationality and inhumanityin “The Birth of Tragedy” by Nietzsche) since he apprehends notions like mental elasticity – 100% good is as bad as 100% evil. 

The Portrait of a Macho can be so gorgeous, so exquisite…divine.

Also read: The Portrait of a Woman

Comments

  1. Good men are hard to find, Max! They seem to be turning into an endangered species, of some sort.

    When you spoke of mutilation, you reminded me of female genital mutilation: I mean, who on bloody earth came up with this idea? If it was a man, then the guy suffered from a serious sexual disorder; if it was a woman...man or man, I can't even begin to explain her problem.

    I would like to add one thing to your post though: a true macho (that in Latin languages means simply a man, a virile human) is not obsessed by morality, which can be devastating when it comes to the rights of women.

    Men should and could try to emulate this portrait of a macho lol...

    Ciao Ciao

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  2. Hi Max,

    My favorite part of a man's body is his mind. If within that, he understands his role not only in society but to the one who adores him, he is truly creating an exemplary example of a man.

    When men/women get hung up on machismo, they are doing themselves a disservice. We are much more capable of understanding each other when we stop being hung up on labels and expectations.

    Brilliant piece my dear. Keep up the thought provocation.

    Deep Thoughts Cheers!

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  3. hey Max ... provocative!!
    we are human (i really don't know what this means ) maybe its an excuse to all the abstract evolutive things that are in it(humanity) and we can't explain why the evolution runs it in a certain way. The concept of good or right its also so abstract and society dependent, even to describe a gender or gender concept it will be very relative ( nice excuse !)

    So having said that....MACHO could be a male gender human that is summarized by some animal basic instincts, likes to proudly show-off, exibits and presents its trophies, usualy lonner and predator. I was aldo wondering what would be the opposite for this in the female vs...


    But a MAN its really a diferent thing... which can certainly figure in your description and where can also peacefuly coexist some balanced caractheristics such as sexual appetite, proud, strength, care, emotion etc
    I would like to see a post of yours about WOMAN. : )) i'll be ancious waiting for that!

    all the best
    Gallardo

    Muddy Waters - Manish Boy

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5IOou6qN1o&feature=BF&list=PL5D3E3F6EEE36FE56&index=12

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  4. Hi Carla :D!

    "Good men are hard to find, Max! They seem to be turning into an endangered species, of some sort."

    LOL that reminded me of a song by Salt N' Pepa "what a man, what a man, what a mighty good man"...they are out right there, girl: just keep the faith ;).

    "When you spoke of mutilation, you reminded me of female genital mutilation: I mean, who on bloody earth came up with this idea? If it was a man, then the guy suffered from a serious sexual disorder; if it was a woman...man or man, I can't even begin to explain her problem."

    Female genital mutilation is awful. I recently watched a movie about it and it saddened me: those poor baby girls. Can you imagine being 3 years old and having someone cutting your genitals? Brutal!
    I don't know who came up with this idea, but the way I see it: it is just another way of breaking women; of humiliating them and of telling them "you're worth jot!"...know what I mean?

    "I would like to add one thing to your post though: a true macho (that in Latin languages means simply a man, a virile human) is not obsessed by morality, which can be devastating when it comes to the rights of women."

    Excessive morality is not a masculine characteristic only; I know many women who are self-righteous and tend to be obsessed by morality too...it is sad in any human (man or woman), really.

    Carla, thank you ever so much for your comment; and I hope to see more of you here :D.

    Cheers

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  5. Hi Lady A :D!

    "My favorite part of a man's body is his mind. If within that, he understands his role not only in society but to the one who adores him, he is truly creating an exemplary example of a man."

    ^5...most definitely! I agree with you.

    "We are much more capable of understanding each other when we stop being hung up on labels and expectations."

    Amen to that, my sista! Well said.

    "Brilliant piece my dear. Keep up the thought provocation."

    *Bowing* thank you. lol always...

    Lady A, thank you so much for the awesome comment :D!

    Outstanding Thoughts Cheers

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  6. Ciao Gallardo :D!

    "hey Max ... provocative!!"

    lol, you know how we roll here at the MAX experience lol...

    "we are human (i really don't know what this means ) maybe its an excuse to all the abstract evolutive things that are in it(humanity) and we can't explain why the evolution runs it in a certain way. The concept of good or right its also so abstract and society dependent, even to describe a gender or gender concept it will be very relative ( nice excuse !)"

    I see what you mean (and I found it extremely interesting, really)! LOL it could be seen as an "excuse" but you are right when you say that good or right can be abstract (I like to say good/right is as relative as bad/wrong - since it depends on the circumstances...again, one needs to make use of mental elasticity to decide when each is applicable or not), but I don't agree with the "society dependent" part, because that seems like an excuse indeed lol.

    "So having said that....MACHO could be a male gender human that is summarized by some animal basic instincts, likes to proudly show-off, exibits and presents its trophies, usualy lonner and predator. I was aldo wondering what would be the opposite for this in the female vs..."

    In Latin language a Macho is a male gender human (um varão), as you well know; and it doesn't include those basic animal instincts.
    LOL Now, tell me: don't women exhibit their trophies; aren't they predators as well?
    Hmmm, good question...what is the female version of a Macho?

    "But a MAN its really a diferent thing... which can certainly figure in your description and where can also peacefuly coexist some balanced caractheristics such as sexual appetite, proud, strength, care, emotion etc
    I would like to see a post of yours about WOMAN. : )) i'll be ancious waiting for that!"

    LOL...I don't make a distinction between the two words (maybe because of my Latin background), however it is nice to play with them. Now, I totally understand what you mean, cause I made (in one of my past posts) the distinction between male and man...
    Society has fed us the notion that the first thought in men's mind is sex...but is this absolute? No...I don't think it is.
    LOL LOL I have written a lot about women...nevertheless, I will write a note reminding me to pen down the female version of this post...*bowing*.

    Oh man: awesome song!! You wouldn't believe how much I love this theme...you, my friend, have a great taste in music!
    (lol and the lyrics...come on, a perfect match with this article lol)

    G, fabulous comment for which I thank you immensely (always a pleasure indeed) :D.

    Cheers

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  7. Everytime I hear the word "Macho" memories of the song, "Macho Man", a 1978 disco song by the Village People comes flooding back. What a mix of men they were!

    Now, some Macho men, dare I say Roidies, are more likely to be found in gyms pumping iron to impress their male mates mostly.

    If I was a lady, which I'm not of course, just an ordinary Aussie bloke from Down Under, all I'd be looking for in a man would be a down to earth gentleman, who's hard working, loving and honest as the day is long.

    Boy, I do love Muddy Waters Music!

    Take Care,
    Peter

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  8. I'm not into metrosexual guys (whatever that means) and as long as there is a mutual respect, I don't mind macho.

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  9. The painting reminds me of when I was young and the blond hair was still all there.

    There is no shortage of males these days, but it does seem that men are an endangered species.

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  10. Hey Peter :D!

    "Everytime I hear the word "Macho" memories of the song, "Macho Man", a 1978 disco song by the Village People comes flooding back. What a mix of men they were!"

    LOL LOL LOL I used to sing that song until I dropped, when I was 9 or something. You are right: they were quite a mix.

    "Now, some Macho men, dare I say Roidies, are more likely to be found in gyms pumping iron to impress their male mates mostly."

    Does "Roidies" mean the same as in French (the ones who work to stiffen their muscles)?
    LOL LOL LOL LOL..impress their male mates, eh? How Freudian...

    "If I was a lady, which I'm not of course, just an ordinary Aussie bloke from Down Under, all I'd be looking for in a man would be a down to earth gentleman, who's hard working, loving and honest as the day is long."

    lol *nodding*....yes, indeed...that is what women should be looking for; but many prefer something a little more dangerous *nodding*.

    "Boy, I do love Muddy Waters Music!"

    Right? Gallardo made my day with that song!

    Peter, thank you so much for your awesome comment :D.

    Cheers

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  11. Hi Zhu :D!

    "I'm not into metrosexual guys (whatever that means) and as long as there is a mutual respect, I don't mind macho."

    I am not into them, myself. I agree with you.

    Zhu, thank you so much for your input :D.

    Cheers

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  12. Hi Looney :D!

    "The painting reminds me of when I was young and the blond hair was still all there."

    lol really? :D

    "There is no shortage of males these days, but it does seem that men are an endangered species."

    LOL yeah, one of the commentators said that too. I offered her hope; but between you and I: you may be right.

    Looney, thanks for your input :D!

    Cheers

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  13. But many prefer something a little more dangerous *nodding*.

    Well then, have you seen the movie, "Australia" and the "X-Men" series?

    Perhaps the upper market ocker male Hugh Jackman who shares the lead roles in both may be to your liking?

    Even in real life, as witnessed by Oprah the last time she was in Sydney, with Hugh flying down via a flying fox onto her set and then smashing head first into a iron beam at the Sydney Opera House, truly lives life as a dangerous manbeast ocker for many woman; well, so I am told.

    Take Care,
    Peter

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  14. Peter,

    "Well then, have you seen the movie, "Australia" and the "X-Men" series? "

    Not a fan of X-Men, however I do want to watch Australia.

    "Perhaps the upper market ocker male Hugh Jackman who shares the lead roles in both may be to your liking?"

    LOL LOL Hugh Jackman is cute, but not my type.
    Furthermore, I spoke not of myself...I spoke of women who like dangerous men.

    "Even in real life, as witnessed by Oprah the last time she was in Sydney, with Hugh flying down via a flying fox onto her set and then smashing head first into a iron beam at the Sydney Opera House, truly lives life as a dangerous manbeast ocker for many woman; well, so I am told."

    LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL do you watch Oprah?

    Cheers

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  15. Hi Max! I had to laugh at Peter's comment because that's what comes to my mind too whenever i hear the word macho. Lol.

    How are you sweetie? I hope all is well and that you're having a great week. :)

    Kisses and hugs.

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  16. Hey Liza :D!

    lol Yes, Peter's comment is hilarious.

    I am great, darling; thanks :D. The week is off to a good start :).
    I hope everything is fine with you too and I will see you sometime this week.

    Thanks for the visit!

    Kisses and hugs

    ReplyDelete

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