Role Of Insanity In Macbeth
The adjective insanity is defined as a person in a state of mind that prevents normal perception, behavior, or social interaction; seriously mentally ill. One of William Shakespeare’s most famous tragedy is Macbeth, a cursed play also known by the name of the Scottish Play. The play follows Lord Macbeth through his struggle to gain and remain in control. Side by side with his wife, Lady Macbeth, the duo plans unnerving murders during the night as they fight to rise in station falling prey to the Weird Sister’s premonitions. Becoming victim to fate, King and Queen Macbeth’s sanity crumbles under the weight of their own guilt. As the play comes to an end, the tyrannize couple’s power and control fall apart ending with their deaths as Scotland
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During the beginning of the play Macbeth is fearful of the consequences claiming, “if it were done when ‘tis done, then ‘twere well it were done quickly. If th’ assassination could trammel up the consequence, and catch; with his surcease, success; that but this blow might be the be-all and end-all” (1.7) right before King Duncan’s death. Macbeth is not only worried about the physical consequences he will face but also the spiritual ones he will have to face. However, towards the end of the play, Macbeth does not worry about the consequences of killing someone. After he killed Young Siward, Macbeth does not fear any consequences instead mocks him saying “Thou wast born of woman. But swords I smile at, weapons laugh to scorn, brandished by man that’s of a woman born” (5.7). What happened to the Macbeth that felt guilty about an act he was only entertaining at the time? When did he become a soulless being? Macbeth’s transition from someone who cared about the meaning of life to someone who did not even care about his own life was because of his guilt. Macbeth is unable to deal with his actions against his king and cousin that is is making him go insane. Macbeth begins to see ghosts, his past victims, and becomes more paranoid. Macbeth’s paranoia forces him to kill more people to keep control of his power. In the play, blood represents insanity, the more blood in the play, due to all the murders Macbeth commits out of paranoia stemming from his guilt, the more insane and unstable Macbeth is. Macbeth’s guilty conscience is responsible for bringing on his change in character from the beginning of the play to the end of the
During the beginning of the play Macbeth is fearful of the consequences claiming, “if it were done when ‘tis done, then ‘twere well it were done quickly. If th’ assassination could trammel up the consequence, and catch; with his surcease, success; that but this blow might be the be-all and end-all” (1.7) right before King Duncan’s death. Macbeth is not only worried about the physical consequences he will face but also the spiritual ones he will have to face. However, towards the end of the play, Macbeth does not worry about the consequences of killing someone. After he killed Young Siward, Macbeth does not fear any consequences instead mocks him saying “Thou wast born of woman. But swords I smile at, weapons laugh to scorn, brandished by man that’s of a woman born” (5.7). What happened to the Macbeth that felt guilty about an act he was only entertaining at the time? When did he become a soulless being? Macbeth’s transition from someone who cared about the meaning of life to someone who did not even care about his own life was because of his guilt. Macbeth is unable to deal with his actions against his king and cousin that is is making him go insane. Macbeth begins to see ghosts, his past victims, and becomes more paranoid. Macbeth’s paranoia forces him to kill more people to keep control of his power. In the play, blood represents insanity, the more blood in the play, due to all the murders Macbeth commits out of paranoia stemming from his guilt, the more insane and unstable Macbeth is. Macbeth’s guilty conscience is responsible for bringing on his change in character from the beginning of the play to the end of the