Macbeth Madness Essay

The theme of madness permeates progressively throughout the Shakespearean eponymous tragedy "Macbeth." Macbeth's hallucinations and delusions, as well as his growing paranoia and obsession with preserving his position, reveal Macbeth's burgeoning downward spiral into madness. Arguably, the volatile Lady Macbeth catalyses Macbeth’s descent into insanity, through her rejection of femininity and crazed pursuit of power and status. This later diminishes to a state of torment and palpable guilt. The comedic ramblings of The Porter add a subtle humour to the play's dark lunacy. The witches' prophesy also contributes to the subject of madness as their prophecy planted the seed of paranoia in Macbeth’s mind. In Macbeth, the theme of madness emphasises

He is initially portrayed as a brave and honourable warrior- Before he even appears on stage, Macbeth is introduced to the play through the descriptions of others. In Act 1, Scene 2, a wounded captain tells King Duncan about Macbeth's valour in battle, saying, "For brave Macbeth - well he deserves that name - Disdaining fortune, with his brandished steel, which smoked with bloody execution". The language employed to describe Macbeth is felicitating, showcasing his bravery and warrior prowess. The adjective “brave" and the verb "deserves" are used to paint Macbeth in the audience’s and other characters' minds as a heroic figure. The murder of King Duncan by Macbeth is a pivotal event in his descent into madness. In spite of his initial reluctance, Macbeth eventually succumbs to his ambition and commits the crime. This heinous act marks a volta in his character, and his mental stability subsequently deteriorates. He has rising paranoia and starts to perceive threats everywhere as he tries to come to terms with what he has done. This is apparent in his post-murder soliloquy, in which he hears a voice say, "Macbeth does murder sleep," and declares that he will never sleep again. The quote is significant because it demonstrates how guilt and paranoia have taken control of his mind, leading him to believe he will never find peace or rest. This foreshadows his subsequent further descent into insanity as he is haunted

In Act 2, Scene 1, Macbeth describes the dagger he sees, saying, "Is this a dagger which I see before me, / The handle toward my hand? Come, let me clutch thee". Shakespeare uses a soliloquy to highlight Macbeth's inner turmoil as he questions his own sanity, while the metaphor of the dagger represents the growing darkness within him- as it’s a mere figment of his deranged mind. The repetition of the word "come" emphasizes Macbeth's desperation and increasing mental instability. Moreover, the appearance of the ghost of Banquo serves as a supernatural symbol of the consequences of his actions as he disturbed the natural order in the play. The trustworthy and noble Banquo stands in stark contrast to the treacherous and power-hungry