Lack Of Sleep In Macbeth

In my humble opinion, the epitome of banality in stories tracing a protagonist’s guilt is when reenactments of their crime surface in nightmares. If it is in a novel, then the nightmare abstracts the original memory into symbols that buy time from the plot to decipher a past event in a different context. If it is in a movie, then I suppose the director and production staff sought an excuse to flex their computer-generated imagery skills and blast sound effects at pitiful eardrums. Regardless of the medium, I would argue that a lack of sleep causes a more profound effect on the protagonist than tormented sleep. In Macbeth by William Shakespeare, killings progressively grow in ruthlessness and increase the toll on the perpetrator’s ability to sleep and relax. Shakespeare values sleep as evidence of relief from guilt in order to establish an indicator of humane qualities.

For instance, after Duncan retires to his bed on the night the Macbeths host him for subsequent murder, Banquo reports to Macbeth, “This diamond he greets your wife withal, / By the name of most kind hostess, and shut up / In measureless content” (2.1.17-19). In contrast to other characters, Duncan grants ease to his mind before sleep instead of attempting to sleep off any bothersome issues. Duncan’s prioritization of others before his night’s rest is just one of his many generosities that sets a standard of morality for characters deserving of sleep. This elevated perception of Duncan heightens the tragedy of his murder, as his sleeping state affirms his innocence but shackles him in vulnerability for Macbeth. Afterwards, during Macbeth’s informing of his executed murder to Lady Macbeth, he recalls