In Shakespeare’s Macbeth, the line between the supernatural and the psychological is blurred, but gains more clarity as the play progresses. Despite the presence of supernatural elements in the play, the downfall of the characters is brought about by their own psychological states. The downfall of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth illustrates the power a single idea can have over a person when it grows into a desire and inspires actions. Throughout the play, the danger of synchronization of thought and action is illustrated through the fear many characters have of their own desires. Macbeth is mentally unstable. He admits this himself during his confession to killing the King’s chamber servants when he says “Who can be wise, amazed, temperate and furious, / Loyal and neutral, in a moment? No man / The expedition of my violent love /
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His logical sense is slower than his passion. He is frighteningly capable of acting without reason in favor of his dark instinct and desire. After Macbeth is visited by the Weird Sisters, he begins to marinate over his own dark wishes and he is afraid of his mind’s capability for darkness. He pleads, “Stars hide youre fires / Let not light see my black and deep desires” (I. 4.51-51). Lady Macbeth, on the other hand, thinks this fear of desire is cowardice. She asks him “Art thou afeard / To be the same in thine own act and valour / as thou art in desire?” (I. 7. 39-41). Her question suggests that character is defined by those deep desires that one tries to hide. To act on those desires is not criminal, but rather in line with human nature. However, when Macbeth and Lady Macbeth do act upon their deep desires, their mental health suffers and they are driven mad. The text suggests that Macbeth has had mental health issues since he was a young man, prior even to the appearance of the Weird Sisters and Lady Macbeth seems to be mentally unstable as well. When Macbeth sees the ghost
His logical sense is slower than his passion. He is frighteningly capable of acting without reason in favor of his dark instinct and desire. After Macbeth is visited by the Weird Sisters, he begins to marinate over his own dark wishes and he is afraid of his mind’s capability for darkness. He pleads, “Stars hide youre fires / Let not light see my black and deep desires” (I. 4.51-51). Lady Macbeth, on the other hand, thinks this fear of desire is cowardice. She asks him “Art thou afeard / To be the same in thine own act and valour / as thou art in desire?” (I. 7. 39-41). Her question suggests that character is defined by those deep desires that one tries to hide. To act on those desires is not criminal, but rather in line with human nature. However, when Macbeth and Lady Macbeth do act upon their deep desires, their mental health suffers and they are driven mad. The text suggests that Macbeth has had mental health issues since he was a young man, prior even to the appearance of the Weird Sisters and Lady Macbeth seems to be mentally unstable as well. When Macbeth sees the ghost