Madness in Macbeth
In Shakespearian times, where only a limited understanding of the human mind existed, behaviours outside of accepted social norms were recognized as madness. Through the modern understanding of human psychology, it is now understood that certain behaviours emerge as a result of traumatic experiences. Shakespeare defines madness in his play through contrasting it with another 's sanity. In Shakespeare 's Macbeth, aspects of both madness and sanity work side by side, madness of one reflects and the sanity of another. Madness that emerges from within ones sanity, madness that is brought out by another 's desire. Contrasting Macbeth 's sanity to Lady Macbeth 's ambitious insanity …show more content…
The difference between the couple 's madness. Lady Macbeth and Macbeth 's marriage which falls apart long the way is a result of their growing madness.
The story begins upon the first meeting with the weird sisters as desire is planted into the mind of the new Thane of Cawdor who is intrigued with the idea of being king. Macbeth eager to comprehend every detail of the tales the witches prophesized in contrasts to Banquo who in meeting the witches, is suspicious. The contrast in reactions gives the audience a reason to doubt Macbeth 's quick interest. Macbeth begins to contemplate the idea of murdering the king, but is shaken by the mere thought. Macbeth decides to leave what is to happen for fate to decide. " If chance will have me king, why, chance may crown me Without my stir" 1.3.145 Macbeth 's sanity contrasts with Lady Macbeth 's ambitious madness. Lady Macbeth who in receiving this news, takes a firm approach to take matters into their hands. She believes in Macbeths ability to be king, but not his will and desire to become king. Lady Macbeths understands the obstacle standing in …show more content…
Lady Macbeth who 's leadership had brought them to the killing, is shaken as she cannot to be as cruel as she wished. Macbeth envisions a dagger leading him to Duncan, as he sees that dagger bloodied, Macbeth pulls out his own, he is now ready to kill. Ending the life of the good king takes away the innocence he once had, " But wherefore could not I pronounce "Amen"? I had most need of blessing, and "Amen" Stuck in my throat" (2.2.29-31), Macbeth in hysteria looking for any kind of reassurance from his wife as he is no longer able to utter holy words. "sleep no more! Macbeth does murder sleep" (2.2.33-34). Macbeth who murdered a sleeping man can never sleep again. The night what was once a haven of rest, now forever filled with nightmares. Macbeth will never be replenished by sleep again. Now fearful and hearing voices,he cannot return to the bed of dead king to place the blame of murder on another. Lady Macbeth regains her firm stance as she enters the chamber of the dead king. Soaking her hands into the deep blood, Lady Macbeth takes half the blame, without committing murder, she fully commits herself to the crime. While Macbeth is shocked at the deep red colour of the blood dripping from his hands, Lady Macbeth takes the blood dripping from her fingers as assurance of her strength, as she feels nothing from it, in contrast to Macbeth who is in a state frenzy. As the dead king is found, the
In Shakespearian times, where only a limited understanding of the human mind existed, behaviours outside of accepted social norms were recognized as madness. Through the modern understanding of human psychology, it is now understood that certain behaviours emerge as a result of traumatic experiences. Shakespeare defines madness in his play through contrasting it with another 's sanity. In Shakespeare 's Macbeth, aspects of both madness and sanity work side by side, madness of one reflects and the sanity of another. Madness that emerges from within ones sanity, madness that is brought out by another 's desire. Contrasting Macbeth 's sanity to Lady Macbeth 's ambitious insanity …show more content…
The difference between the couple 's madness. Lady Macbeth and Macbeth 's marriage which falls apart long the way is a result of their growing madness.
The story begins upon the first meeting with the weird sisters as desire is planted into the mind of the new Thane of Cawdor who is intrigued with the idea of being king. Macbeth eager to comprehend every detail of the tales the witches prophesized in contrasts to Banquo who in meeting the witches, is suspicious. The contrast in reactions gives the audience a reason to doubt Macbeth 's quick interest. Macbeth begins to contemplate the idea of murdering the king, but is shaken by the mere thought. Macbeth decides to leave what is to happen for fate to decide. " If chance will have me king, why, chance may crown me Without my stir" 1.3.145 Macbeth 's sanity contrasts with Lady Macbeth 's ambitious madness. Lady Macbeth who in receiving this news, takes a firm approach to take matters into their hands. She believes in Macbeths ability to be king, but not his will and desire to become king. Lady Macbeths understands the obstacle standing in …show more content…
Lady Macbeth who 's leadership had brought them to the killing, is shaken as she cannot to be as cruel as she wished. Macbeth envisions a dagger leading him to Duncan, as he sees that dagger bloodied, Macbeth pulls out his own, he is now ready to kill. Ending the life of the good king takes away the innocence he once had, " But wherefore could not I pronounce "Amen"? I had most need of blessing, and "Amen" Stuck in my throat" (2.2.29-31), Macbeth in hysteria looking for any kind of reassurance from his wife as he is no longer able to utter holy words. "sleep no more! Macbeth does murder sleep" (2.2.33-34). Macbeth who murdered a sleeping man can never sleep again. The night what was once a haven of rest, now forever filled with nightmares. Macbeth will never be replenished by sleep again. Now fearful and hearing voices,he cannot return to the bed of dead king to place the blame of murder on another. Lady Macbeth regains her firm stance as she enters the chamber of the dead king. Soaking her hands into the deep blood, Lady Macbeth takes half the blame, without committing murder, she fully commits herself to the crime. While Macbeth is shocked at the deep red colour of the blood dripping from his hands, Lady Macbeth takes the blood dripping from her fingers as assurance of her strength, as she feels nothing from it, in contrast to Macbeth who is in a state frenzy. As the dead king is found, the