Wednesday, July 9, 2014

How does becoming king affect Macbeth?

Macbeth is tormented with his guilt. He cannot sleep. In
fact, he repeats that he will never sleep again in Act 2 , Scene
2:


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MACBETH

Methought I heard a voice cry 'Sleep no more! 
Macbeth does murder
sleep,' the innocent sleep, 
Sleep that knits up the ravell'd sleave of
care, 
The death of each day's life, sore labour's bath, 
Balm of
hurt minds, great nature's second course, 
Chief nourisher in life's
feast—




Also, Lady
Macbeth comments on the disturbed feelings of being King and Queen. She states that
there is no content in being King and Queen. In Act 3, Scene 2, she contrasts her
discontent with the joy that the one they destroyed must be
experiencing:


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Nought’s had, all’s spent. Where our desire is
got without content: ’Tis safer to be that which we destroy than, by destruction, dwell
in doubtful joy.



Macbeth
cannot clear his conscience and Lady Macbeth repeatedly tries to wash the bloodstains
from her hands.


In Act 3, Scene 4, Macbeth sees Banquo's
ghost and begins talking out of fear. He is an emotional
wreck.



The
GHOST OF BANQUO enters, and sits in MACBETH's
place 

MACBETH 

Here had we now our country's honour
roof'd, 
Were the graced person of our Banquo present; 
Who may I
rather challenge for unkindness 
Than pity for
mischance! 

ROSS 

His absence, sir, 
Lays
blame upon his promise. Please't your highness 
To grace us with your royal
company. 

MACBETH 

The table's
full. 

LENNOX 

Here is a place reserved,
sir. 

MACBETH 

Where? 

LENNOX 

Here,
my good lord. What is't that moves your
highness? 

MACBETH


Which of you have done
this?



Clearly, Macbeth is
losing his mind. He sees Banquo's ghost sitting in his seat of honor. No doubt, Macbeth
is extremely troubled. Being King is not as he dreamed it would
be.

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