Examples Of Paranoia In Macbeth

The play Macbeth, written by William Shakespeare, is a story that follows a man who decides to take his destiny into his own hands after hearing a prophecy about his future glory and power. Throughout the play, paranoia drives the actions of different characters such as Malcolm and Donalbain, Macbeth, and Lady Macbeth. Following the death of Duncan, Malcolm and Donalbain decide to run away because supposedly, their, “...separated fortune shall keep us both the safer. Where we are, there’s daggers in men’s smiles. The near in blood, the nearer bloody” (Shakespeare 2:3:119-122), which accentuates their newfound distrust as they now think that everyone is out to get them. Similarly, after he murders the king, Macbeth feels like there is no one he can trust, even his friend Banquo.
Our fears in Banquo stick deep, and in his royalty of nature reigns that which would be feared” (Shakespeare 3:1:50-53), which shows Macbeth’s fear towards Banquo and the paranoia that he will be overthrown, which drives him to order the death of Banquo. Finally, near the end of the story, Lady Macbeth begins to sleepwalk, “As she is troubled with thick-coming fancies that keep her from her rest” (Shakespeare 5:3:40-41) during which she says things such as, “What, will these hands ne'er be clean?” (Shakespeare 5:1:31), implying that her late-night actions are triggered by the fear and guilt she has over the murders of the other characters. Overall, the play Macbeth contains multiple characters who, throughout the story, make decisions that are ultimately driven by paranoia and