What is the line between sanity and insanity and when does one cross the line from sanity to insanity? One could say it is when one has lost control over his or her mind. Another could say it is when one has gone mad from their own thoughts. There is no true answer. In William Shakespeare’s well-known play, The Tragedy of Macbeth, Macbeth is a respected commander of Scotland. Many of his peers laud him on his courage and heroic deeds in battle. He is even acknowledged by King Duncan of Scotland. After hearing of the Three Witches’ predictions, however, that he is to become the king of Scotland, he is tempted by his ambitions to pursue the throne. He kills his beloved king and is plagued by guilt. This guilt comes to haunt him after he becomes the new king of Scotland as paranoia and fear afflicts his every move on the throne until it eventually causes his …show more content…
In William Shakespeare’s The Tragedy of Macbeth, Macbeth starts off as a respectful kinsman of Scotland. After being tempted by the power of the throne, he kills his beloved king and is tormented by paranoia and guilt. Lady Macbeth starts off as a power-hungry individual lacking remorse. Encouraging Macbeth to turn to the dark side and kill the king to achieve his ambitions, her husband becomes more corrupted and insane, killing people without a second thought. This drives Lady Macbeth to lose her own sanity as guilt and fear plagues her until eventually she takes her own life. In the end, as Macbeth begins to lose his conscience and guilt, he begins to see things clearer and is able to act on his own will, almost as if he has attained some of his sanity back. To conclude, to demonstrate the effects guilt will have on one’s sanity, three different perspectives are illustrated in The Tragedy of Macbeth: Macbeth during his first murder, Lady Macbeth after the massacre of the Macduff house, and Macbeth after his second