TES fans love the idea of being a mage, and rightly so in a series such as this. Being a mage in TES universe opens a world of abilities and enjoyment to the player.
The mage is a person schooled and dedicated to the art of magic in all forms. But how does a person who has dedicated their entire being to the 'black arts' act?

IN YOUR OWN WORDS

What does it mean to be a mage?
What sort of structures does a mage abide by?
How does a mage act in normal society?
What does a mage live for?

I think most of this is based on perspective . But from my own character's opinion:

1. Dedicating one's life to the arcane arts and picking a field of study.
2. It depends on the school you dedicate your life too. Someone in restoration should seek to help others no matter the affiliation.
3. Do not go around flaunting your stuff if you can help it. Be modest.
4. Like before, it depends on the school.
:)

To my mind, the most important aspect of being a mage is having the mentality of a student: always having your mind open to new ideas and new ways of perceiving the world around you (both visible and invisible). Being a student of the arcane arts and having a narrow view of the world is terribly counter-productive. At the same time, a mage shouldn't become too aloof from the world by conceptualizing everything. Conceptualization, while useful for learning theories, detaches one from reality. To counter this, it's good for mages to maintain contact with the world around them (normal citizens of Tamriel).

Mages are not above the law. Given the immense power that they can tap into, it's quite clear how a mage could become a force for evil simply by pursuing selfish ends and dismissing those who can't effectively oppose them. As a result, mages should abide by the structures of whatever society they're apart of on Nirn.

There are plenty of options for how a mage can act in normal society, though. They can detach themselves and focus on their studies; they can use their magic to aid those around them and serve as healers, warriors who protect those less able to do so; or as teachers who can enlighten those without access to the likes of an Arcane University. This, of course, assumes an altruistic intent (and to me, the ideal mage is altruistic).

What do mages live for? The pursuit of knowledge through study of the arcane. That's what I say.

The above is all invalidated, though, if a mage doesn't pursue knowledge for altruistic reasons. If the mage lives for power, then he lives only for himself.

That's my take on what it means, at least It's how I've always played my characters.

(But I'm weird...I'm probably one of the minority of gamers who never steals or murders whimsically in TES )

All of your questions save for the first one have thousands of potential answers.

And my answer to all of those questions is... David Bowie.

very true, but I want to know what answers you have to offer. As if you were to create a specific mage based off these questions.

Lots of Study and research, and no friends.

/forever alone

This.

Pretty much this. A lot of Mages would be arrogant though :shrug:

Wow. My Breton female character has a much more laid back view on being a mage, in comparison to the other responses I read above mine. But maybe that's because she's young and slightly apathetic to the world around her, like a lot of teenagers.

1. What does it mean to be a mage?

If you're calling anyone who can do magic a mage, it doesn't really mean a whole lot. It doesn't mean you're special because you can cast magic... Anyone can cast a bit of magic. Dunmer can summon ancestor ghosts, anyone can use a magic scroll, or do a bit of healing magic. So defining yourself as a mage just because you can throw a fireball here or heal yourself on the fly, it's not a big deal. Magic is common. Mage is just a loose term for magic user, so everyone is a mage.

2. What sort of structures does a mage abide by?

Hmm. Not getting killed by the magic I do is a good start. I could see myself hurling a fireball at something, yet standing too close to my target when I do it, and setting myself on fire. It would be a dumb thing to do, but a learning experience, as long as I didn't kill myself in the experience. Try not to step in my own magic traps, or be turned on by a daedra that I summoned from another plane. Be smart about what I do.

3. How does a mage act in normal society?

Since everyone can do magic, everyone is mage. So that is normal society. You blend in right from the beginning. But going around hurling fireballs at people's chickens and cows might not be a good idea, no need to get your neighbors angry at you for damaging their livestock.

4. What does a mage live for?

What does any person live for? Magic is a tool to be utilized, it doesn't rule my life.

By mage, I mean a person who dedicates his or herself to the art of magic. Not just someone who inherits magical qualities, or someone who dabbles with a spell here and a tome there, but someone who's sole design IS magic.

A mage is forever alone burdened by the heavy spells and knowledge his study has revealed to him, he never interacts with others, when he does it is usually with a fireball

A mage is someone who had dedicated their lives to harnessing, utilizing, and perfecting the arcane arts.
A mage is usually seeking to unlock a plethora of knowledge from magic. Spells, incantations, and otherworldly powers are theirs tools of the trade.
A mage can come from all facets of society, but they are usually enlightened individuals who hold intellect and cleverness in high regard.
A mage lives for discovery within the unlimited potential of the magical world.

BOWIE VISION!

What does it mean to be a mage?
A mage is someone who tries to solve their problems using magic.
What sort of structures does a mage abide by?
A mage is disciplined and devotes himself to the studies the arcane arts to further improve his/her own skills.
How does a mage act in normal society?
Anyway he pleases. Hes a mage, and is therefore better than the rest.
What does a mage live for?
To become more powerful.

all magic do-ers should die *nods*

why isn't there an evil anti-magic faction? mages get necromancy and the dark brotherhood are pretty dark magic friendly, but what about the completely boneheaded savages out there?

What does it mean to be a mage?
To me a mage is anyone who wields magic, no matter how little or for what use.
What sort of structures does a mage abide by?
Anyway they wish, same as everyone else
How does a mage act in normal society?
same as everyone else, though their circle of friends may be different
What does a mage live for?
like a scientist, a mage lives for the study and pushing of the boundries of magic

What does it mean to be a mage?

To dedicate one's life to magic, it's study and spells, it's varying philosophies, and using magic for the purpose of the certain philosophy. My mage in particular is somewhat arrogant and has a lust for power, and wishes to use that power to change the world to one in an image he wants.

What sort of structures does a mage abide by?

Most mages probably follow the rules set down by the College, Guild, or whatever faction they follow. Mine while liking the College for it's dedication to magic, as he respects all thing that share his passion for magic, abides by no structure but his own.

How does a mage act in normal society?

Usually quit and reserved, as I imagine most would have a more introverted personality. A lot of quirky and oddballs of course. Some power hungry and unrighteous. While my mage has a lust for power, and would definitely lean to the evil side morally, he has a strong sense of honor and wouldn't do evil things just for the sake of being evil.

What does a mage live for?

Magic.

What does it mean to be a mage?

A Mage focuses emphatically on the disciplines related to Magic. In Nirn, this is the manipulation of the detectable realm. One can concentrate on a specific school or schools of Magic, but a true scholarly Mage will be well-versed in all schools and seek to become a master in them all.

What sort of structures does a mage abide by?

A Mage may abide by the structures of a Guild or his own. Necromancers I condsider Mages. Liches I consider to once have been Mages prior to their so-called "Immortality." (They will still die by my hand, which doesn't seem very immortal to me. Lol.)

How does a mage act in normal society?

A Mage would act as a normal person. However, 'normal' varies. Perhaps the only 'normalities' in humanoid life are the necessities of food, water, shelter, clothes, and sleep, and social tendencies (nobody is a complete introvert, we aren't made that way). Different eccentricities do exist, depending on personalities, circumstance, and experience.

What does a mage live for?

A true Mage lives for knowledge. A true Mage seeks to master all schools of Magic.

1.To rise above what the common world offers with pure, otherworldly magic and arcane knowledge. The mage always looks to learn and experience new things. In this way being a mage is a lot like being a child, they are content as long as they are in the midst of discovery.
2.Whatever they see fit as most benefiting their inquiry. Some mages have moral limits and material attachment. Some do not. Some think it wrong to bring the dead back to life, others do not.
3.As an educator, mentor, and being of pure inspiration. They show others all the wonder and beauty of Nirn. They bring the beauty of the stars to earth, for all to see.
4. Knowledge. They must know all things, study their surroundings, do everything that hasn't been done before. They are a part of the world like no others. It fills them with satisfaction and they fill this world with light... or darkness. The mage can use their powers for destruction of life, or in the revelry of life's beauty. Perhaps those two things are not that far away from each other. In any case, the Mage is about living in a higher manner of being than others. They are at peace. The feel and think things more strongly than others. They can tell the difference between living and sleeping. They can separate their days from nights. They are filled with life.