In Shakespeare’s Macbeth, Macbeth’s strong desire for power replaces his sanity, which causes the deterioration of his mental state. Macbeth’s wife, Lady Macbeth, influences Macbeth to kill King Duncan in order to become the King. Macbeth develops a ravenous nature as he learns from the weird sisters that he cannot be harmed by one born of woman. Lastly, Macbeth’s hunger for power drives him to kill those who could take power from him, including a dear friend by the name of Banquo, whose ghost appears at dinner to haunt him. Due to Lady Macbeth’s control and influence over Macbeth’s decisions, the witches’ prophecy that he cannot be harmed of one born of woman, and the appearance of Banquo’s ghost, Shakespeare proves the mental deterioration of Macbeth. Shakespeare portrays Macbeth as a , but his morals are altered as Lady Macbeth’s hunger for power is forced upon him. Lady Macbeth expresses her desire for power and to become dominant over Macbeth, saying
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The only person in his way is fellow nobleman Banquo, whom could adopt the throne before Macbeth. Macbeth believes his only option is to have Banquo murdered. After his murder, Macbeth holds a dinner in which Banquo is absent, to which Macbeth says “The table’s full.” (III.iv.54). Macbeth sees Banquo’s ghost, which shows that Macbeth’s mental health has greatly declined since he hallucinates. Macbeth not only begins to see things, but begins to lose what rationality he has left, saying “Prithee, see there! Behold, look! lo!/ how say you? Why, what care I? If thou canst nod, speak too/...GHOST OF BANQUO vanishes” (III.iv.82-84). Macbeth now shows clear signs of mental health issues as he convinces himself that Banquo sits at the table with him. During this event, Shakespeare clearly shows that Macbeth’s mental health has deteriorated as he has hallucinations and does not deal well with
The only person in his way is fellow nobleman Banquo, whom could adopt the throne before Macbeth. Macbeth believes his only option is to have Banquo murdered. After his murder, Macbeth holds a dinner in which Banquo is absent, to which Macbeth says “The table’s full.” (III.iv.54). Macbeth sees Banquo’s ghost, which shows that Macbeth’s mental health has greatly declined since he hallucinates. Macbeth not only begins to see things, but begins to lose what rationality he has left, saying “Prithee, see there! Behold, look! lo!/ how say you? Why, what care I? If thou canst nod, speak too/...GHOST OF BANQUO vanishes” (III.iv.82-84). Macbeth now shows clear signs of mental health issues as he convinces himself that Banquo sits at the table with him. During this event, Shakespeare clearly shows that Macbeth’s mental health has deteriorated as he has hallucinations and does not deal well with