Examples Of Delusional Disorder In Macbeth

One significant disorder that Macbeth suffers from, delusional disorder, materializes in numerous ways throughout the play, whether from instances where he exhibits specific kinds of delusional disorder or when he meets diagnostic criteria for delusional disorder. According to Doctor Shawn Joseph of Louisiana State University’s Health Sciences Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, “A delusion is a fixed false belief based on an inaccurate interpretation of an external reality despite evidence to the contrary. The diagnosis of a delusional disorder is made when a person has one or more non-bizarre (situations that are not real but also not impossible) delusional thoughts for one month or more that cannot be explained by any other condition” (1).

Cleveland Clinic medical staff define “Grandiose: People with this type of delusional disorder have an overinflated sense of self-worth, power, knowledge or identity. They may believe they have a great talent or have made an important discovery” (2). Macbeth's delusions are initially triggered by the prophecies of the three witches, which he interprets as a confirmation of his destined rise to power. He becomes obsessed with the idea of becoming king, fixating on the witches' words and believing them to be an inevitable fate. Macbeth's delusion of his predestined kingship fuels his ambition and becomes a driving force behind his actions. Also, in the final stages of the play, Macbeth misinterprets the witches' prophecy that he cannot be vanquished until Birnam Wood comes to Dunsinane Castle. He deludes himself into believing that he is safe within the castle walls, as it seems impossible for a forest to move. However, Macbeth's delusion is shattered when he witnesses soldiers camouflaging themselves with tree branches from Birnam Wood, revealing the literal interpretation of the

Prior to Duncan's murder, Macbeth experiences a powerful hallucination in the form of a floating dagger, which he sees as a manifestation of his desire to kill the king. The dagger represents Macbeth's internal conflict and his delusional state, as he cannot distinguish between his fantasies and reality. This delusion heightens his anxiety and serves as a precursor to the violent act he is about to commit. Also prevalent to this idea, an individual with delusions becomes “unable to accept that their delusions are irrational or inaccurate, even if they recognize that other people would describe their delusions this way” (Cleveland 7). A final idea regarding the concept of Macbeth suffering from delusional disorders comes in the form of his mood throughout the play. As exclaimed by the National Library of Medicine the mood of an individual suffering from delusional disorder exists as “...usually congruent with the delusion, for example, a grandiose patient may be euphoric, or a paranoid patient may be anxious. Mild depressive symptoms are present” (Joseph