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Shakespeare’s literary genius is that he understood the psychological makeup of humans long before Freud. He demonstrates this understanding through his portrayal of guilt’s effect on the human psyche of Lady Macbeth, Macbeth, and Macduff, as well as his depiction of how guilt can be effective if acknowledged. Shakespeare’s clear comprehension of guilt’s effect on human behavior is most obvious in his characterization of Lady Macbeth as a hysteric. Initially, Lady Macbeth is seen as a strong female character who is able to block the murder of King Duncan from her memory fairly easily. This is seen in her conversation with Macbeth following the murder of Duncan when she says, “These deeds must not be thought/After these ways. So, it will make us mad” (II, ii, 45-46). This statement is significant because it causes the audience to initially view Lady Macbeth as a very cold hearted woman, who is not rent with any intense feelings of guilt. However as the play progresses, Lady Macbeth’s behavior becomes more like that of a hysteric. Although there is no verbal, conscience recognition of her wrongdoing, Shakespeare makes it obvious that her “pathogenic memories and feelings [are] dissociated…the actual content
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Neurotic guilt, or survivor’s guilt, is defined as having feelings of guilt for surviving a tragedy in which others died. In Macduff’s case he had fled Scotland to find refuge for himself, but this left his family in danger. When Ross gives Macduff the news of his family’s death, Macduff cries, “I cannot remember such things were that were most precious to me…Sinful Macduff,/They were all struck for thee! Naught that I am,/ Not for their own demerits, but for mine,/Fell slaughter on their souls” (IV, iii, 262-267). This quote is important because it expresses how Macduff feels as though his family was harmed due to his actions against the king. Therefore, if he had at least been there with them, then he would have been murdered as well. Thus, the “survivor’s guilt” Shakespeare is conveying comes from a situation where Macduff feels guilty about an event that he had no chance of averting, and an event for which he feels obsessively responsible for no rational reason (“Guilt and Shame”). Furthermore, Macduff feels as though he himself must avenge his family’s death by being the man to slay Macbeth; another response of the human psyche as caused by neurotic guilt. He states prior to his battle with Macbeth, “If thou beest slain, and with no stroke of mine,/My wife and children’s ghosts will haunt me still” (V, vii, 20-21). This quote acknowledges the guilt Macduff feels, the guilt becomes effective in his actions against Macbeth. Macduff believes the only way to rid himself of guilt and avenge his family’s death is to kill Macbeth himself, or else he will be haunted by their ghosts. Shakespeare makes it apparent that he understands how neurotic guilt affects the psyche into feeling responsible for a death as well as possibly seeking revenge for
Neurotic guilt, or survivor’s guilt, is defined as having feelings of guilt for surviving a tragedy in which others died. In Macduff’s case he had fled Scotland to find refuge for himself, but this left his family in danger. When Ross gives Macduff the news of his family’s death, Macduff cries, “I cannot remember such things were that were most precious to me…Sinful Macduff,/They were all struck for thee! Naught that I am,/ Not for their own demerits, but for mine,/Fell slaughter on their souls” (IV, iii, 262-267). This quote is important because it expresses how Macduff feels as though his family was harmed due to his actions against the king. Therefore, if he had at least been there with them, then he would have been murdered as well. Thus, the “survivor’s guilt” Shakespeare is conveying comes from a situation where Macduff feels guilty about an event that he had no chance of averting, and an event for which he feels obsessively responsible for no rational reason (“Guilt and Shame”). Furthermore, Macduff feels as though he himself must avenge his family’s death by being the man to slay Macbeth; another response of the human psyche as caused by neurotic guilt. He states prior to his battle with Macbeth, “If thou beest slain, and with no stroke of mine,/My wife and children’s ghosts will haunt me still” (V, vii, 20-21). This quote acknowledges the guilt Macduff feels, the guilt becomes effective in his actions against Macbeth. Macduff believes the only way to rid himself of guilt and avenge his family’s death is to kill Macbeth himself, or else he will be haunted by their ghosts. Shakespeare makes it apparent that he understands how neurotic guilt affects the psyche into feeling responsible for a death as well as possibly seeking revenge for