Katelyn Lipham
Professor Amber Kelly
November 10, 2016
The Motif of Sleep in ‘Macbeth’
In Shakespeare’s story of ‘Macbeth’, many things are known as motifs occur throughout the reading. Motifs can be images, sounds, actions, or any other figure that give a symbolic meaning to the story. It helps the reader understand the concept of the themes and ideas within the play. One of the main motifs is sleep. Sleep, when is lacked, expresses the fault of characters. Although, when sleep is in full effect, is shows the characters’ virtuousness. Macbeth, in the play, is haunted by the actions he has done and comes to find out that even though he has so much power, it means nothing if he is not pleased. “Nought’s had, all’s spent, /Where our desire is …show more content…
The revenge she put on him, was not letting him close his eyes when it was time to sleep. “Sleep shall never night nor day hang upon his penthouse lid,” (1.3.19). Witch number three foreshadows events that involve Macbeth’s actions and plans; this is where the motif of sleep is introduced. “A heavy summons lies like lead upon me, and yet I would not sleep. Merciful powers, restrain in me the cursed thoughts that nature gives way to in response!” (2.1.4-9). This shows the happening of Duncan’s murder, which leaves the rest of the castle fidgety and incapable of …show more content…
He becomes frightened after seeing Banquo’s ghost sitting in his seat at the banquet. People become confused and suspicious. Lady Macbeth attempts to hide his insanity by telling him all he just needed to sleep. “You lack the season of all natures, sleep.” This quote shows sleep as something needed and natural, and Macbeth cannot get it and a little sleep will not get rid of his guilt. It is quite sardonic that Lady Macbeth becomes the one who covers up his insanity as she is the one that ends up committing suicide because of her sleepwalking. Lady Macbeth is one of the characters that changes very much in this play. She goes from being the prevailing and controlling one, to being driven to insanity by guilt. In act 5 scene 1, the doctor has come to cure Lady Macbeth of this ‘illness’ but can see that the healing she needs is way beyond his power. “More needs she the divine than the physician.”
The motif of sleep in Macbeth plays a momentous role in the framework of the play. It symbolizes innocence, and the lack of sleep represents fault and loss of innocence. All through the play we see Macbeth’s guilt develop because of no sleep, eventually leading to serious agony and
Professor Amber Kelly
November 10, 2016
The Motif of Sleep in ‘Macbeth’
In Shakespeare’s story of ‘Macbeth’, many things are known as motifs occur throughout the reading. Motifs can be images, sounds, actions, or any other figure that give a symbolic meaning to the story. It helps the reader understand the concept of the themes and ideas within the play. One of the main motifs is sleep. Sleep, when is lacked, expresses the fault of characters. Although, when sleep is in full effect, is shows the characters’ virtuousness. Macbeth, in the play, is haunted by the actions he has done and comes to find out that even though he has so much power, it means nothing if he is not pleased. “Nought’s had, all’s spent, /Where our desire is …show more content…
The revenge she put on him, was not letting him close his eyes when it was time to sleep. “Sleep shall never night nor day hang upon his penthouse lid,” (1.3.19). Witch number three foreshadows events that involve Macbeth’s actions and plans; this is where the motif of sleep is introduced. “A heavy summons lies like lead upon me, and yet I would not sleep. Merciful powers, restrain in me the cursed thoughts that nature gives way to in response!” (2.1.4-9). This shows the happening of Duncan’s murder, which leaves the rest of the castle fidgety and incapable of …show more content…
He becomes frightened after seeing Banquo’s ghost sitting in his seat at the banquet. People become confused and suspicious. Lady Macbeth attempts to hide his insanity by telling him all he just needed to sleep. “You lack the season of all natures, sleep.” This quote shows sleep as something needed and natural, and Macbeth cannot get it and a little sleep will not get rid of his guilt. It is quite sardonic that Lady Macbeth becomes the one who covers up his insanity as she is the one that ends up committing suicide because of her sleepwalking. Lady Macbeth is one of the characters that changes very much in this play. She goes from being the prevailing and controlling one, to being driven to insanity by guilt. In act 5 scene 1, the doctor has come to cure Lady Macbeth of this ‘illness’ but can see that the healing she needs is way beyond his power. “More needs she the divine than the physician.”
The motif of sleep in Macbeth plays a momentous role in the framework of the play. It symbolizes innocence, and the lack of sleep represents fault and loss of innocence. All through the play we see Macbeth’s guilt develop because of no sleep, eventually leading to serious agony and