Effects Of Guilt In Macbeth

In the play “Macbeth” characters response to adversity results in a change in how they feel guilt. Guilt by definition is “ A cognitive emotional experience that occurs when one realizes they have violated a moral standard. Closely related to the concept of remorse”. Usually when people are affected by guilt they go through a stage of regret and self reflection to establish what they need to do to try and counteract their guilt, in the play Shakespeare makes each character react very differently to a feeling of guilt whether they change for the better or for worse. Some common effects of guilt on people are depression, anger, and aggression. In the Thane of Cawdor’s case he confessed his guilt right before his death. This guilt was acknowledged …show more content…
Lady Macbeth was majorly responsible for leading the killing of Duncan. Initially she appeared to not feel any guilt for this action. She states “A little water clears us of this deed, How easy is it then”! /(2.2.86-87) She furthermore urges her husband Macbeth to disregard the deed as she does. As the play nears the end however we discover that she truly overwhelmed with the pain and guilt of orchestrating killing Duncan. With this obvious more harsh effect she becomes quieter, visually less evil, and loses her hunger for power and control. She seems to become more fragile and vulnerable as we hear less and less of her as the play goes on. This can be said to be a good change for her. Early in the play it can be said that Lady Macbeth is an evil and manipulative character. Evidence of this includes the statement “Come, you spirits That tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here, And fill me from the crown to the toe topful of direst cruelty!” /(1.5.40-43). Comparatively she states near the end of the play “Give me your hand. What’s done cannot be undone, To bed to bed”/ (5.1.70-73). We can see the change of not really regarding the deed of wanting to undo what has already passed. Another affect that guilt seemingly had is that she can no longer sleep in complete darkness, the gentlewoman says, “She has light by her continually. ‘Tis her command”/(5.1.24-25). Previously she called for darkness as …show more content…
Right after killing Duncan, Macbeth was overwhelmed with guilt and shame. This is normal for anyone who commits a malicious act or does something that they are ashamed of. After he kills Duncan He states “What hands are here! Ha they pluck out mine eyes. Will all of great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood Clean from my hand?” /(2.2.77-79). Macbeth is so guilty that he believes that he believes nothing can clear the deed and that to even look at the blood on his hands pains him. Another thing he says to describe the extent of his guilt is “I am afraid to look at what I have done. Look on’t again I dare not”. /(2.2.66-67) During this time his wife Lady Macbeth was trying to convince him that the deed was insignificant, that he should not feel guilty and that he had proved he was a man. Throughout the play we generally see Macbeth’s guilt decrease and we see a different side of him. Macbeth starts to gradually decrease his guilt for killing Duncan to become king. At the feast he speaks to the ghost of Banquo and afterwards states, “All causes shall give way. I am in blood stepped in so far that, should I wade no more, returning were as tedious as go’er”/(3.4.167-170). Macbeth here says that it is too late for him to clean off the blood he already on his hands an this signifies a new stage for him, after this point he seems to disregard moral conduct and do whatever he needs to, to maintain his place as king. The