Examples Of Guilt In Macbeth

There seems to be pleasure in evil, for a short period of time. Doing something malicious may leave temporary satisfaction. The problem is this feeling is only temporary. While taking part in wicked actions may seem like a way to satisfy one’s soul, it will only slowly eat away at it. The guilt of the actions will over take whatever feelings of relief or fulfillment that one feels. Whatever the circumstance is, remorse finds a way to implement itself and smother out any positive feelings. This crippling guilt not only takes away from the appeasement, but it takes away from everything. It slowly takes away more and more until the person is unrecognizable. William Shakespeare, the author of the horrific tragedy, The Tragedy of Macbeth,

At the beginning of the story, Macbeth has a guilty conscience. He is against killing Duncan because he knows it is morally wrong, but he kills Duncan anyway. Then he feels remorseful because he knows his actions are unjust. However as time goes by and Macbeth commits more evil actions, his conscience is corroding and he does not have the same guilt. After the Witches tell Macbeth that no man born of a woman can harm him, and he is confident that no one can stop him from being king, he still feels that Macduff is a threat. He feels the need to kill Macduff knowing that he does not have to, and he feels no guilt about it. After his conversation with the Witches Macbeth decides that Macduff “shalt not live” (IV. i. 83-84). In this scene Macbeth decides he needs to kill Macduff in order to feel that he has the spot of king secure. He goes from barely even being able to kill Duncan, knowing it is the only way to become king, to deciding within a second that he needs to kill Macduff just to be safe. His conscience is not working to stop him from committing more malicious actions. As the story continues Macbeth decides he will not let his conscience stop him from taking action. He begins to thrive off these actions and he can not stop himself from committing them. Macbeth makes a decision: “From this moment/ The very firstlings of my heart shall be/ The firstlings of my hand” (IV. i. 146-48). Macbeth admits that

Macbeth's psychological wellbeing declines more and more as he continues to commit more cruel actions. Killing Duncan is one of the first malicious actions he commits, and after he kills Duncan his psychological wellness starts to diminish. After killing Duncan, Macbeth states, “‘Glamis hath murdered sleep, and therefore Cawdor/ Shall sleep no more. Macbeth shall sleep no more’”(II. ii. 45-46). Macbeth is overcome with guilt and states that he murders sleep and will never sleep again. The human body needs to sleep to be able to function properly. Sleep is not only necessary for a person’s physical health, but their psychological health, and without it Macbeth’s psychological health deteriorates. Along with lack of sleep Macbeth illustrates paranoia. After killing Duncan Macbeth is afraid he is going to get caught: “Whence is that knocking?/ How is ’t with me when every noise appalls me?”(II. ii. 60-61). Macbeth is afraid of every little noise he hears because he worries he will get caught for killing Duncan. Committing the murder of Duncan took away his psychological wellness, and his ability to think logically. He becomes paranoid, and unable to think beyond his irrational fears. Macbeth’s hostile efforts are only causing his mental health to become worse. While Macbeth is at a banquet with other Lords, and attendants he starts talking to the Ghost