Guilt Theme in Macbeth Essay Example

William Shakespeare an influential English writer and playwright is known to use symbolism in his plays, having his audience understand it in a profound way. As an example, the effects of guilt on the human mind can be explored in the play Macbeth. In Macbeth two characters exhibiting the effects of guilt on the human mind are Lady Macbeth and Macbeth. Macbeth’s guilt is conveyed throughout the play while Lady Macbeth’s guilt is illustrated later. 

To begin with, in Act 2 in the play Macbeth, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are planning to assassinate King Duncan. Macbeth is contemplating whether or not to go along with this plan because King Duncan is a good king, and he is his host. After Macbeth kills Duncan, his character seems paranoid about his surroundings. As well as stating how he won’t be able to sleep because he has murdered sleep. Another statement Macbeth includes while stating how he will never be able to sleep peacefully again is by stating “Will all great Neptune's ocean wash this blood clean from my hand? No, this my hand will rather the multitudinous seas incarnadine, making the green one red”.  This quote can deeply show how Macbeth’s conscious is badly affected by his guilt from killing Duncan. The audience can view how Macbeth’s mental health declines after this event happens. For instance, in the beginning of the play he is shown as a hero and described by his wife Lady Macbeth as softhearted incapable of murdering someone. As the play progresses, it is proven to be the opposite by observing how he killed his friend Banquo.  

Consequently, Macbeth is displayed with remorse after killing Banquo despite not being consciously aware of seeming so. An example being, in Act 4 scene 3 Macbeth is met with Banquo’s ghost sitting in his assigned seat in the table for the banquet. This is the first scene where Macbeth’s sanity is publicly known. Previously, before the banquet the audience noticed how Macbeth rationality has deteriorated since the beginning of Act 4. As a case in point being in Act 4 scene 1, lines 60-69 when Macbeth states, “Upon my head they placed a fruitless crown” and “For Banquo’s issue I have filed my mind; For them the gracious Duncan have I murdered”. These two quotes Macbeth announced, presented how he truly feels about Banquo. It can also signify that his mind has been spiraling since how he behaved in Act 1. Macbeth has been filled with the feeling of guilt from being the one to kill Duncan and Banquo, it can be observed how it affected him mentally and when being in the public eye. On the other hand, Lady Macbeth tries to keep her composure after being the mastermind behind the murder of Duncan. 

Ultimately, Lady Macbeth couldn’t run away far because guilt catches up to her in Act 5. Unlike Macbeth, Lady Macbeth deals with guilt in private while Macbeth deals with publicly. Lady Macbeth is described by her gentlewoman to wash her hands while sleepwalking. “What, will these hands ne’er be clean” and “Wash your hands. Put on your nightgown.