Guilt Flashcards
Why is sleep related to guilt?
Sleep was symbolic of peace, if one is filled with guilt they won’t have peace and thus won’t sleep.
How does Macbeth feel guilt?
Macbeth feels huge guilt for what he has done, for example murdering Duncan or Banquo. This changes to a lack of remorse as he feels he is too far gone. He kills Macduff’s family without remorse and Lady Macbeth’s death is met with apathy at the end of the play.
How does Lady Macbeth feel guilt?
She is completely unfazed by the thought of committing murder, but by the end of the play it has a psychological toll on her as she goes insane trying to make herself clean.
How does Malcolm feel guilt?
Due to fleeing Scotland, Macbeth assumes power and as a result Scotland suffers and he feels responsibility for this.
‘Is this a dagger I see before me’
Macbeth’s hallucination reveals his subconscious guilt.
‘Will the perfumes of Arabia wash this hand clean’
Hyperbole
Lady Macbeth feels hers and Macbeth’s actions are so heinous that they cannot be forgiven and it is pointless to search for forgiveness.
‘Will all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood clean’
Hyperbole
The gravity of her of evil is so great she feels forgiveness is impossible.
‘Macbeth shall sleep no more’
Macbeth doesn’t sleep due to his guilt, which overcomes him.
‘What’s done cannot be undone’
The euphemism indicates a nihilistic view, which shows how much a psychological impact their guilt has had on their viewpoints.
Why is guilt shown to be so severe?
To warn the population of the consequences of treason and promoting loyalty to the natural order.
