Sanity And Waxing Sense Of Sleep In Macbeth

“Methought I heard a voice cry, / ‘Sleep no more! Macbeth does murder sleep’—the innocent sleep, / Sleep that knits up the raveled sleave of care, / The death of each day’s life, sore labor’s bath, / Balm of hurt minds, great nature’s second course, / Chief nourisher in life’s feast” (Shakespeare II. 2. 34-38). This excerpt of Shakespeare’s Macbeth portrays Macbeth’s waning sanity and waxing sense of guilt, while also establishing a bleak and dreadful atmosphere for the upcoming tragic events. This passage is significant to the play’s plot because it’s arguably the beginning of Macbeth’s downfall; as his sense of guilt grows, so does his paranoia which leads to him committing more and more violent crimes, creating a vicious cycle. Shakespeare’s use of ____ words like “cry” and “murder” elevates the tension of the scene and aid in establishing a shameful and perturbed tone. Additionally, there is a wary and solemn mood throughout the passage which contributes to the scene’s intensity.

It can be interpreted to symbolize peace as it is described as “sore labor’s bath” and the “balm of hurt minds.” Duncan was a venerated king who ruled his country well. After Duncan’s death the people of Scotland no longer know peace. Sleep is also used to symbolize innocence and purity, which can be inferred from Macbeth calling it “the innocent sleep.” By taking Duncan’s life Macbeth murders his own internal peace as well, quickly becoming a mad man who hallucinates and hears voices. Duncan was also innocent; his murder was completely unjust. Macbeth murdering Duncan meant the loss of Macbeth’s