Sleeplessness In Macbeth

“Out, damned spot, out, I say!” Lady Macbeth exclaimed as she walked down the hall in a deep sleep (Folger 163). In Act 5 Scene 1, Lady Macbeth sleep walks down the hall as a gentlewomen and doctor observe what is happening. Ever since Macbeth went into the field, Lady Macbeth has begun sleep walking down halls and writing herself notes, reading them allowed, then going back to sleep. The gentlewomen called for a doctor because Lady Macbeth kept making the gestures of repeatedly washing her hands as she relived all the past horrifying occurrences Macbeth and her experienced.

(Act 2, Scene 1). Analysis of quotes: The first quote shows how Macbeth's guilt over the murder of King Duncan has disrupted his sleep, creating a sense of anxiety and restlessness. The second quote highlights Lady Macbeth's manipulation and deception, as she tries to keep the details of the murder from becoming known. The third quote shows Macbeth's immediate regret and fear following the murder.

Macbeth’s mind into committing heinous crimes. And as time continues Macbeth gives up on caring. It is almost like he forgets to care. Killing innocents by the end of the story did not phase him one bit. While Macbeth is forgetting to care you see Lady Macbeth fill up with guilt, that she can't bare anymore.

He then has a conversation with his wife saying that his “Sleep [is] in the affliction of [his] terrible dreams” (3.2.20-21). The author uses the motif of sleep to represent peace. This time Macbeth’s sleep is disturbed by terrible dreams, meaning that his peace is disrupted by the results of his actions. He even goes as far as to say that Duncan in his grave “sleeps well,” meaning that death is more peaceful than Macbeth’s life (3.2.25-26). Therefore, the author’s usage of the motif of sleep shows that one who is guilty of an immoral act will suffer consequences

In the tragedy it states “Glamis hath murdered sleep, and therefore Cawdor shall sleep no more! Macbeth shall sleep no more(Shakespeare)!” This is talking about how Macbeth can’t sleep because of all the murders he has committed. He is practically horrified because of all of the things that he has done to become King. He is sicked because he let his greed and ambition get out of hand, all leading up to him not being able to sleep.

In Macbeth, Shakespeare uses the motif of sleep, a natural process, to demonstrate how the unchecked ambition for unnatural objects cause a loss of innocence. This is evident in Lady Macbeth's confession of her sinful acts and Macbeth's state of mind after Duncan's death. The motif of sleep occurs in the form of sleep talking when Lady Macbeth relives the moments when she plotted the death of Duncan and Lady MacDuff in order to acquire the throne. After Lady Macbeth gets a note from Macbeth that describes the witch's prophecies, she plots Duncan's murder and tries to muster the courage to execute her plan.

Prior to Act 5 where we see Lady Macbeth dealing with her guilt in a more observable way by sleep walking and talking we see Macbeth in act 4 saying that he is going to push away his fear and try to continue his life despite and guilty feelings“That I may tell pale-hearted fear it lies and sleep in spite of thunder”(4.1.84-85). In his case during this part of Act 4 he is talking about when he killed Duncan and when he decides to kill Macduff. Meanwhile in Act 5 we see Lady Macbeth unknowingly dealing with her guilt by sleepwalking and sleep talking which is worrying everyone because they don't know why“A great perturbation in nature, to receive at once the benefit of sleep and do the effects of watching”(5.1.10-12). At this point unlike her husband she can not cope with it and move on and the only way she can think to deal with it is to kill herself and so she does.

—No more o ' that, my lord, no more o ' that. You mar all with this starting” (V.i line 36-38). Even though, Lady Macbeth had nothing to do with the murders after Duncan, like Banquo and Macduff’s wife as well as his son, she still feels guilty because she created the monster, by manipulating Macbeth to kill Duncan. Another reason Lady Macbeth feels remorseful is because she had to do with some of the action in the murder, for example planning the death of Duncan and framing Duncan 's attendant. The guilt is causing Lady Macbeth to go insane because she is aware “All the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little hand.

After he murders King Duncan, Macbeth says that he heard a voice say “Macbeth shall sleep no more (II.ii.57).” Macbeth’s biggest flaw was his inability to prevent his greed from directing his life. His greed and thirst for power not only drive him to kill a king who just gave him an honorable title, but they also cause him to hallucinate. His greed is taking its psychological and mental toll on him. Macbeth’s greed has gotten the better of him so much that he remains in the state that he is permanently.

In the play Macbeth, Shakespeare uses many motifs and symbols to help develop the theme. The most effective symbols and motifs that Shakespeare uses are the birds, blood, and sleep. In Macbeth, birds are mentioned many times. "The raven himself is hoarse /

Macbeth’s first evil act is murdering King Duncan, a man who he should respect and obey. At first he hesitates, and even claims that he does not want to do it, but he is soon convinced to do so. He claims that during the murder he hears someone scream “Sleep no more! Macbeth doth murder sleep” (2.2.46-47). His first evil act causes the beginning of his sleeplessness.

The word “sleep” is used throughout Macbeth with various connotations. One of the ways to interpret Shakespeare's use of “sleep,” is as a symbol of innocence. This symbolism is used repeatedly in concerns to Duncan and his murder. When Lady Macbeth is unable to kill Duncan, she explains, “Had he not resembled / My father as he slept, I had done’t”

She was so paranoid over the ordeal that she eventually killed herself. Even though she died before Macbeth, she still had an influence on what he did. Eventually, it leads to his death and treason. In conclusion, Lady Macbeth is more responsible for King Duncan’s murder, and Macbeth’s treason, than Macbeth himself.

William Shakespeare’s Macbeth, sleep is used in every act, in both literal and figurative forms. Shakespeare had a tendency to use sleep in a figurative manner more often than his use of literal sleep. These examples can all illustrate the way sleep is discussed regarding the timeline of King Duncan’s life; before his death, during his death, and after his death when Macbeth becomes king. In scene 1 of act 2, Lady Macbeth discusses her plans to murder King Duncan.

Sleep is one of the purest forms of altered consciousness however, traumatic experiences can impede one’s unconscious thoughts. Macbeth returns after killing Duncan and the guards, grief stricken and afraid. He tells his wife that sleep itself has been murdered and that nobody is immune his treachery (5.1.44). Macbeth’s crime is intensified by the act of murder being done at night and to sleeping rather than awake guards. The moment of guilt that Macbeth felt for his actions represents the hidden innocence behind the crimes.