Sleep is something that affects someone’s ability to tell the difference between right and wrong. If people have clear consciences, they usually are able to sleep easily. But when their consciences are full of guilt, they experience a state of sleeplessness. Shakespeare’s use of sleep in Macbeth is shown by both the consciences of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth and the effects they suffer when their sleep is altered by their evil acts.
In Macbeth, sleep is an important theme that reoccurs throughout the story. In real life, sleep is necessary to maintain a healthy life. Macbeth says in his state of panic, “I’ll go on no more. I am afraid to think what I have done. Look on't again I dare not.” (II, 2, 65-67) Macbeth feels paranoid and nervous at this point. He regrets his action of not making the rational choice to not murder King Duncan. His sleep will definitely be effected judging by his emotional distress expressed from this quote. …show more content…
Sleep also restores the body’s energy supply and it helps a person in order to function effectively. While sleep begins, the body goes through a set of changes, without these changes it can cause sleep disorders. In Macbeth, Shakespeare introduces three different factors of disorders in sleep, which are sleepwalking, sleep talking, and hallucinations. “the affliction of these terrible dreams that shake us nightly: better be with the dead, Whom we, to gain our peace, have sent to peace.” (V, 1, 26-27)
To the people of Shakespeare’s era, sleep meant a time of rest and rejuvenation for the body. Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are both troubled by guilty consciences all throughout the play and receive either no sleep or a restless sleep. “No sooner has the King been murdered than Macbeth hears the voice crying, Sleep no more.” (II, 2.32) This little voice in Macbeth’s head is his recognition of what he has done.Sleeping in the play, appears to be possible only when one has a clear
In Macbeth, sleep is an important theme that reoccurs throughout the story. In real life, sleep is necessary to maintain a healthy life. Macbeth says in his state of panic, “I’ll go on no more. I am afraid to think what I have done. Look on't again I dare not.” (II, 2, 65-67) Macbeth feels paranoid and nervous at this point. He regrets his action of not making the rational choice to not murder King Duncan. His sleep will definitely be effected judging by his emotional distress expressed from this quote. …show more content…
Sleep also restores the body’s energy supply and it helps a person in order to function effectively. While sleep begins, the body goes through a set of changes, without these changes it can cause sleep disorders. In Macbeth, Shakespeare introduces three different factors of disorders in sleep, which are sleepwalking, sleep talking, and hallucinations. “the affliction of these terrible dreams that shake us nightly: better be with the dead, Whom we, to gain our peace, have sent to peace.” (V, 1, 26-27)
To the people of Shakespeare’s era, sleep meant a time of rest and rejuvenation for the body. Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are both troubled by guilty consciences all throughout the play and receive either no sleep or a restless sleep. “No sooner has the King been murdered than Macbeth hears the voice crying, Sleep no more.” (II, 2.32) This little voice in Macbeth’s head is his recognition of what he has done.Sleeping in the play, appears to be possible only when one has a clear