The Theme Of Guilt In Macbeth
When one is pushed to the edge and then thrown over, causing an untimely and terrible fall, one often thinks “What put me here?” In Macbeth by William Shakespeare, the idea that pushed the characters over the edge was guilt derived from their own actions. Ultimately, this clear theme of guilt stemming from negative actions that leads to a downfall is seen with both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth, two very dynamic and doomed characters. One of the most evident falls was Macbeth’s, caused by the guilt over his actions. The first of these actions was the murder of Duncan. Before the murder, he was a very loyal and gracious man. He was even very close with his wife, Lady Macbeth, which was seen when he wrote “This have I thought good to deliver thee,
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Before Duncan’s murder, she was a very strong character. Her example of what she would do if she promised showcased that very well. She said she would take her own baby and “plucked my nipple from his boneless gums and dashed the brains out, had I so sworn as you have done to this” (I, vii, 57-59). A very ruthless and strong characteristic. After Duncan’s murder, her guilt caused her to become almost the opposite. She became nervous and depressed, saying that “naught’s had, all’s spent” (III, ii, 4) She was also plagued by nightmares, no longer able to sleep well. This is found out when Macbeth said that they “sleep in the affliction of these terrible dreams that shake us nightly” (III, ii, 17-19). After the murders of Banquo and Macduff’s family, her guilt caused her to deteriorate even more. She started to sleepwalk, revealing her guilt and troubled mind to any that happened upon her in this state. “Out, damned spot, out, I say!” she declared, referring to the fact that her guilt over these murders would not go away (V, i, 28). Ultimately, she felt that “all the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little hand” (V, i, 40-41). She was so depressed and guilt-stricken that she committed suicide, no longer able to live with herself. “The Queen, my lord, is dead” (V, v, 16). In conclusion, the guilt stemming from negative actions results in negative changes. Both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth were very dynamic
Before Duncan’s murder, she was a very strong character. Her example of what she would do if she promised showcased that very well. She said she would take her own baby and “plucked my nipple from his boneless gums and dashed the brains out, had I so sworn as you have done to this” (I, vii, 57-59). A very ruthless and strong characteristic. After Duncan’s murder, her guilt caused her to become almost the opposite. She became nervous and depressed, saying that “naught’s had, all’s spent” (III, ii, 4) She was also plagued by nightmares, no longer able to sleep well. This is found out when Macbeth said that they “sleep in the affliction of these terrible dreams that shake us nightly” (III, ii, 17-19). After the murders of Banquo and Macduff’s family, her guilt caused her to deteriorate even more. She started to sleepwalk, revealing her guilt and troubled mind to any that happened upon her in this state. “Out, damned spot, out, I say!” she declared, referring to the fact that her guilt over these murders would not go away (V, i, 28). Ultimately, she felt that “all the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little hand” (V, i, 40-41). She was so depressed and guilt-stricken that she committed suicide, no longer able to live with herself. “The Queen, my lord, is dead” (V, v, 16). In conclusion, the guilt stemming from negative actions results in negative changes. Both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth were very dynamic