How Does Macbeth Ignore His Conscience

A conscience is the little voice in a person’s head that tells him the difference between wrong and right. People either choose to listen to it or ignore their conscience. In Macbeth, Shakespeare uses imagery to show that Macbeth realizes he has a conscience; however, he must ignore it to secure his spot in leadership. Macbeth is bothered by his conscience after he hears the witches’ prophecy and begins to ponder murder. The murder of both Duncan and Malcolm. The Witches tell Macbeth that he will become Thane of Cawdor and King. Macbeth receives the name Thane of Cawdor and he is pleased but only one of the two truths have occurred. Macbeth wants to be called King and Thane of Cawdor. Macbeth says, “ I am Thane of Cawdor: If good, why do

Duncan announces to Macbeth that he will be staying at Inverness castle. Lady Macbeth and Macbeth plan Duncan’s murder, but before killing Duncan, Macbeth has a vision of a bloody dagger and a conversation with himself where he says, “ I see thee still, on thy blade gouts of blood, Which was not so before… It is the bloody business which informs Thus to mine eyes” (Shakespeare 2.1.57-61). The idea of the bloody dagger is to point out that there is a temptation and a perfect opportunity to kill Duncan. The dagger is a “false creation” that Macbeth creates in his mind and he sees it covered in blood which gives him the confidence to kill Duncan. The blood on the dagger symbolizes that he will be successful in the

Lady Macbeth explains to Macbeth that he should use his noble strength to think of things before he does them. She exclaims to go get water to wash the blood off of his hands. Macbeth exclaims that, “Will all great Neptune's ocean wash this blood clean from my hand? No, this my hand will rather the multitudinous seas incarnadine, making the green one red” (Shakespeare 2.2.78-82). Macbeth portrays imagery when he asks “Will all great Neptune's ocean wash this blood”. The imagery of the ocean can’t wash away the blood caused by crime of murder. Macbeth’s conscience keeps giving him hints that murder and murderous thoughts are acceptable and ok. Murder will always stick with you; what is done is done and there is no going back to change what Macbeth has done. Blood equals the permanent memory of the actions Macbeth has done. Macbeth had to kill the people he has to secure a spot in