Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair said, “Sometimes it is better to lose than to win and do the wrong thing.” It is human nature to desire something so much that one becomes overambitious and will do anything to get what he wants. Similarly, in The Tragedy of Macbeth, Macbeth does everything in his power to get what he wants, including things that are manifestly evil. Shakespeare’s motifs of hallucinations, prophecies, and violence help develop the theme that acting on impulsive human desires can lead to extreme negative consequences.
The use of hallucinations show the consequence of guilt in Macbeth’s life and further convey obliquely the important message that acting sensible will lead to a more fulfilled life. After Macbeth kills …show more content…
These stark symbols often represent the conscience of emotional guilt and are repeatedly mentioned in Macbeth. When Macbeth kills Duncan and returns to his chamber, he says: “Will all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood/Clean from my hand?” (Shakespeare II.ii.58-59). Immediately after Macbeth does this foul deed, he is filled with a sense of remorse. He acknowledges his wrongdoing and wishes to escape the consequence without altering his actions, which by nature, is impossible. An additional vivid assimilation of this motif occurs when Lady Macbeth appears to be washing her hands while sleeping and exclaims, “Out, damned spot, out, I say!” (Shakespeare V.i.30). Throughout the play, Lady Macbeth becomes increasingly paranoid that someone will find out they planned the murder of King Duncan. She eventually caves to this dread and likely kills herself because she can no longer handle the stressful apprehension of the serious punishments she will face for her deed. In another gruesome depiction, after Macbeth is killed by Macduff, they carry his bloody head onto the stage (Shakespeare V.viii.55-56). This represents Macbeth’s final consequence--his demise. It is apparent that if Macbeth had not been violent and impulsive in getting the power he craved, he would not have suffered so many violent consequences,
The use of hallucinations show the consequence of guilt in Macbeth’s life and further convey obliquely the important message that acting sensible will lead to a more fulfilled life. After Macbeth kills …show more content…
These stark symbols often represent the conscience of emotional guilt and are repeatedly mentioned in Macbeth. When Macbeth kills Duncan and returns to his chamber, he says: “Will all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood/Clean from my hand?” (Shakespeare II.ii.58-59). Immediately after Macbeth does this foul deed, he is filled with a sense of remorse. He acknowledges his wrongdoing and wishes to escape the consequence without altering his actions, which by nature, is impossible. An additional vivid assimilation of this motif occurs when Lady Macbeth appears to be washing her hands while sleeping and exclaims, “Out, damned spot, out, I say!” (Shakespeare V.i.30). Throughout the play, Lady Macbeth becomes increasingly paranoid that someone will find out they planned the murder of King Duncan. She eventually caves to this dread and likely kills herself because she can no longer handle the stressful apprehension of the serious punishments she will face for her deed. In another gruesome depiction, after Macbeth is killed by Macduff, they carry his bloody head onto the stage (Shakespeare V.viii.55-56). This represents Macbeth’s final consequence--his demise. It is apparent that if Macbeth had not been violent and impulsive in getting the power he craved, he would not have suffered so many violent consequences,