Macbeth’s True Downfall
“Is this a dagger which I see before me” (2,1,33). “A dagger of the mind, a false creation,
Proceeding from the heat-oppressed brain?”(2,1,38-39) So begins Macbeth, a classic play by William Shakespeare. Our protagonist, a war hero and a respected person by all, could be falling into madness. Though, there might be more going on in the title character’s head than what’s realized. The possibility that Macbeth may suffer from a Mental Illness is quite high, but one in particular stands out more than the rest, PTSD (Post-traumatic stress disorder). PTSD is a mental health condition that 's triggered by a terrifying event, either experiencing it or witnessing it. (Post-traumatic disorder (PTSD) - Mayo Clinic). Hence, there …show more content…
Flashbacks of a traumatic event or violent situation can affect the mind, creating the person to be constantly tense or on edge (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Half of us). This is demonstrated when Macbeth talks about how scared he is of Banquo and his kids: “Our fears in Banquo Stick deep, and in his royalty of nature Reigns that which would be fear’d: ‘tis much he dares, And, to that dauntless temper of his mind, He hath a wisdom that doth guide his valour To act in safety.” (3,1,48-54). Hence, leading to the decision of killing Banquo and the attempted murder of Fleance. However, being scared of Banquo stealing the throne wasn’t the only thing Macbeth was intimidated by; Banquo’s ghost that appears in the dining hall starts to make Macbeth lash out and show signs of his severe distress. This creates a higher cause and risk factor for PTSD: “The main cause for the development of PTSD is experiencing, witnessing, or learning about an event that causes an individual to feel intense fear, helplessness, and dread.” (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Half of us). As a result, Macbeth’s PTSD ended in him feeling on guard and terrified of what might happen to his rule. Moreover, the effects of PTSD begin to collapse on Macbeth, to the moment he can’t feel much of …show more content…
Macbeth’s first symptom of seeing numerous hallucinations tests his subconscious and decisions, which subsequently means that a good argument for these illusions could be environmental PTSD. The second symptom of always being on guard and being startled easily relates to Macbeth being on edge about losing his place on the throne, prompting the murder of Banquo. The final symptom of feeling emotionally numb presents the fact that Macbeth went through many traumas and became overwhelmed mentally to the point of not caring about his wife dying. Macbeth, the renowned thane of Glamis, has fallen; not under the influence of his own decisions, but of his mental illness PTSD. “A dagger of the mind, a false
“Is this a dagger which I see before me” (2,1,33). “A dagger of the mind, a false creation,
Proceeding from the heat-oppressed brain?”(2,1,38-39) So begins Macbeth, a classic play by William Shakespeare. Our protagonist, a war hero and a respected person by all, could be falling into madness. Though, there might be more going on in the title character’s head than what’s realized. The possibility that Macbeth may suffer from a Mental Illness is quite high, but one in particular stands out more than the rest, PTSD (Post-traumatic stress disorder). PTSD is a mental health condition that 's triggered by a terrifying event, either experiencing it or witnessing it. (Post-traumatic disorder (PTSD) - Mayo Clinic). Hence, there …show more content…
Flashbacks of a traumatic event or violent situation can affect the mind, creating the person to be constantly tense or on edge (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Half of us). This is demonstrated when Macbeth talks about how scared he is of Banquo and his kids: “Our fears in Banquo Stick deep, and in his royalty of nature Reigns that which would be fear’d: ‘tis much he dares, And, to that dauntless temper of his mind, He hath a wisdom that doth guide his valour To act in safety.” (3,1,48-54). Hence, leading to the decision of killing Banquo and the attempted murder of Fleance. However, being scared of Banquo stealing the throne wasn’t the only thing Macbeth was intimidated by; Banquo’s ghost that appears in the dining hall starts to make Macbeth lash out and show signs of his severe distress. This creates a higher cause and risk factor for PTSD: “The main cause for the development of PTSD is experiencing, witnessing, or learning about an event that causes an individual to feel intense fear, helplessness, and dread.” (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Half of us). As a result, Macbeth’s PTSD ended in him feeling on guard and terrified of what might happen to his rule. Moreover, the effects of PTSD begin to collapse on Macbeth, to the moment he can’t feel much of …show more content…
Macbeth’s first symptom of seeing numerous hallucinations tests his subconscious and decisions, which subsequently means that a good argument for these illusions could be environmental PTSD. The second symptom of always being on guard and being startled easily relates to Macbeth being on edge about losing his place on the throne, prompting the murder of Banquo. The final symptom of feeling emotionally numb presents the fact that Macbeth went through many traumas and became overwhelmed mentally to the point of not caring about his wife dying. Macbeth, the renowned thane of Glamis, has fallen; not under the influence of his own decisions, but of his mental illness PTSD. “A dagger of the mind, a false