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Bipolar Disorder In Macbeth

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Bipolar disorder is a chronic illness in which three percent of the world suffers (webmd.com). Bipolar disorder can affect a person dramatically, and makes a horrendous flaw for a hero. During the middle ages, people were oblivious of knowing any potential diagnosis. The tragedy Macbeth by William Shakespeare, which occurs during the Medieval period, stars a protagonist whom may very well be susceptible to bipolar disorder. Macbeth’s actions highlight many symptoms throughout the play, that soon leads to the end of his gruesome carnage. Why would Macbeth, a noble, kind hearted man who was destined to become king, abuse his power after taking the crown from an obliging king? His morale is off the charts surreal in a way that makes him feel invincible due to that fact that he relies on his prophecies. His course of action in resolving a problem, …show more content…

Lady Macbeth tries to convince Macbeth to proceed in his prophecies to become King, but he doesn’t budge. Just before Duncan’s dinner, Macbeth decides to kill Duncan even though he said he’d never betray him. Bipolar disorder has a primary symptom called, “mixed episodes” where dramatic changes in decisions or feelings infects the mind (bipolar-lives.com). An example of a mixed episode Mabeth experiences is when his wife dies. Lady Macbeth commits suicide and Macbeth doesn’t seem to care whatsoever, “she should have died hereafter; there would have been a time for such a word” (5.5.17). So why did killing Duncan leave Macbeth so devastated, but not his own wife? This shows how dramatically Macbeth’s behaviour has altered. Macbeth went from being a man who doesn’t act upon a given opportunity, to be gutsy and cruel. Macbeth shows that he has a conscience of guilt, yet he keeps killing? Bipolar disorder is known to make people do horrible actions and make people feel differently about them than how they really should

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