Sleep & Madness

Question 1

Macbeth’s torment

Answer 1

O, full of scorpions is my mind, dear wife

Question 2

L.M. criticising Macbeth’s delusions

Answer 2

This is the very painting of your fear: / This is the air-drawn dagger which you said / Led you to Duncan. O’ these flaws and starts, / Impostors to true fear, would well become / A woman’s story at a winter’s fire

Question 3

Macbeth realising what he has done

Answer 3

For Banquo’s issue have I fil’d my mind; / For them, the gracious Duncan have I murdered, / Put rancours in the vessel of my peace / Only for them, and mine eternal jewel / Goven to the common enemy of man

Question 4

Macbeth’s subjects’ opinion of him

Answer 4

Some say he’s mad; other who lesser hate him / Do call it valiant fury

Question 5

Macbeth’s subjects’ making fun of him

Answer 5

Who then shall blame / His perter’d senses to recoil and start / When all that is within does condemn / Itself for being there

Question 6

Banquo feeling guilty about his thoughts

Answer 6

A heavy summons lies like lead upon me, / And yet I would not sleep; merciful powers, / Restrain in me the cursed thoughts that nature / Gives way to in repose

Question 7

Macbeth’s paranoia after killing Duncan

Answer 7

Methought I heard a voice cry, ‘Sleep no more: / Macbeth does murder sleep,’ the innocent sleep, / Sleep that knits up the ravell’d sleeve of care, / The death of each day’s life, sore labour’s bath, / Balm of hurt minds, great nature’s second course, / Chief nourisher in life’s feast

Question 8

Macbeth not wanting to live in regret

Answer 8

Ere we will eat our meal in fear, and sleep / In the affliction of these terrible dreams / That shake us nightly

Question 9

Going against nature interrupts sleep

Answer 9

Unnatural deeds / Do breed unnatural troubles; infected minds / To their deaf pillows will discharge their secrets. / More needs she the divine than the physician