Why Is Sleep Important In Macbeth

In general, we all need to sleep to survive. When we sleep, our bodies are given a chance to repair themselves, and our minds have time to process the events of the day. There is no mystery in why sleep is so important to us as functional human beings. In Macbeth, sleep holds this same importance, and characters suffer when they are unable to rest. Often, contact with Macbeth leads to problems sleeping. The sleep motif is used to highlight the unnatural nature of Macbeth’s deeds, and demonstrate his effect on other people. In Macbeth, sleep gives people peace, and is portrayed as being very natural. Macbeth’s deeds are juxtaposed with a mention of sleep, to emphasize the idea that his actions are disrupting the natural orders of things. Sleep is described as being the “balm of hurt minds,” and “great nature’s second course.” (26, 2.2). When people sleep, they are at peace, and their hurts are soothed. Sleep is also natural, a core component of a normal life. Everyone sleeps, everyone has to sleep. When Macduff discusses the crisis in …show more content…
Banquo, afraid Macbeth is going to do something horrible, cannot sleep. Even though “a heavy summons lies like lead” on him, he “would not sleep.” (22, 2.1). He is too worried about what Macbeth might do to Duncan to be able to go to sleep. Lady Macbeth cannot sleep properly because of her guilt about her and Macbeth’s actions. She sleepwalks and talks to herself about her guilt over her sins and her fear of what Macbeth has become, unable to obtain the peace that sleep should provide her with. The doctor says that, “she is troubled with thick coming fantasies/ that keep her from rest.” (73, 5.3). Even though she sleeps, she cannot rest. Using sleep as a descriptor demonstrates how Macbeth has affected the normality of their lives. He has taken away an essential aspect of life and prevents them from getting