Guilt’s Manipulation of Identity A famous Roman playwright, Plautus, stated, “Nothing is more wretched than the mind of a man conscious of guilt.” Shakespeare proves this philosophy by showing the terrible effects guilt had on Macbeth and how he was changed through that guilt. In the play Macbeth by Shakespeare, a man named Macbeth, who is a lord under King Duncan, helps the king win a war. Soon after, he is approached by witches who tell him prophecies of him becoming king. As a result of these prophecies, Macbeth murders the king to obtain his position. This act causes lots of guilt within Macbeth for the rest of the story. Through the character, Macbeth, Shakespeare uses guilt to demonstrate that the consequences of committing immoral actions …show more content…
This philosophy leads him to hiring murderers to kill a thane, Banquo, and his son Fleance. Macbeth’s denial is introduced when he becomes haunted by the ghost of Banquo after news of his death reaches Macbeth. A change in Macbeth’s character is seen when he says, “Thou canst not say I did it. Never shake thy gory locks at me. Gentleman, rise. His highness is not well,” (III.4.51-53). In this scene, others around him have noticed alterations in his identity through his conversations and actions, which are influenced by the delusions he is experiencing and his denial of his acts. Following the seeing of Banquo’s ghost, Lady Macbeth further talks of Macbeth’s struggles by saying, “The fit is momentary, upon a thought he will be well again,” (III.4.56-57). Her statement shows that others acknowledge his growing illness and the toll his guilt and denial is taking on him. Macbeth’s fit is a key moment in the story because it shows the reader the visions that are occurring in Macbeth’s mind from his guilt and his reactions of denial which show his altering personality. Finally, the visions of Banquo’s ghost after being told of his death shows Macbeth’s guilt from the actions he has set forth. The reaction to this implies Macbeth’s grip on sanity is slowly