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How Is Sleep Used In Macbeth

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In the play Macbeth, certain words are used strategically to have more meaning and dive deeper than just the word's literal meaning. Throughout the play, words have a substantial impact on the way it follows the characters through the entire passage and what role these words truly play. For example, sleep is used in many different ways. It is used as a symbol for peace and tranquility and also used as the literal meaning. By Shakesapeare sharing what he means by his words and phrases, it gives a different perspective to his work. It allows the audience to be able to have a different reading experience than a traditional book or novel. Sleep is a word in the play Macbeth that holds such a high meaning. This word is used throughout the play, always following Macbeth. Macbeth reveals to Lady Macbeth, …show more content…

Macbeth does murder sleep', the innocent sleep,
Sleep that knits up the ravell'd sleeve of care,
The death of each day's life, sore labour's bath,
Balm of hurt minds, great nature's second course,
Chief nourisher in life's feast,—” (Mac. 2.2. 51-56).
During this conversation between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth he explains he now has destroyed his peace and ability to sleep. Sleep is seen as a calm relaxing time but because Macbeth has murdered King Duncanin his sleep he is not able to enjoy it as he once was able to. Furthermore, later on in this act Macbeth runs into this word again. Sleep comes back into effect after Macduff finds King Duncan dead. Macduff screams in horror,
“.......Awake, awake!
Ring the alarum-bell. Murder and treason!
Banquo and Donalbain! Malcolm! Awake!
Shake off this downy sleep, death's counterfeit,
And look on death itself! up, up, and see
The great doom's image! Malcolm!

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