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Interpreting The Effects Of Murder In Macbeth And The Oresteia

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Macbeth and the Oresteia reveal the effects that murder has on people through Clytmeanstra’s dream of the snake, Macbeth’s hallucination of the dagger, and Banquo's ghost. Snakes are connected to evil and treachery. As the chorus talks to Orestes, they tell him of the dream that Clytemnestra had a while back. She had a dream that she would give birth to a snake. She wrapped it in warm clothing as if it were a child.” pg. 101. What is the difference between a '' and a ''? Lines. 527,529. The. She tries to keep the snake warm and nurture it as if it were a real child. She tried to feed it, but the snake bit her, and Clytemnestra woke up screaming for the dream. Orestes interprets that the snake is him when he kills his mother as revenge for …show more content…

Macbeth struggles with the decision of whether or not he should kill Duncan. He is drowning in the desire for power and hallucinates a dagger that will allow him to kill Duncan. “Is this a dagger that I see before me? The handle toward my …show more content…

After Banqou’s murder, Macbeth and some other people sit at dinner together when Banqou’s ghost appears. Only Macbeth can see Banquo. He mentions “the table is full," but Lennox informs him, “Here is a place reserved, sir." Macbeth replies, “Where?”. Macbeth’s guilt is causing him to hallucinate again. Hallucinations are caused by mental disorders and health disorders. Macbeth's mind is slowly being ruined, and he is just falling deeper into that pit. Macbeth had ordered Banquo to be killed to ensure he could keep his power. Macbeth is so captured by the idea of power that he commits these acts of violence and bloodshed. The sense of superiority that comes with power can cloud a person's judgment gravely. It leads a person to manipulate and exploit others for their own desires. Just as Macbeth killed Banquo to ensure that he had all the power, Killing Banquo damaged Macbeth's moral character gravely. His guilt is what is causing him to see Banqou’s ghost. He still feels sorry for killing Banqou, as any person would. He looks at Banqou's face and observes his face: “There is no speculation in those eyes thou dost glare with." Banqous eyes show no question, no concern, and no life. Banqou’s ghost is just there to remind Macbeth of what he has

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