ipl-logo

Sleep Imagery In Macbeth's Initial Paranoia

487 Words2 Pages

Sleep imagery is representative of the paranoia and psychological anguish that one is consumed by when they seek to gain power through unethical means. In MacBeth, imagery of sleep or more so “lack of sleep” imagery is important as we see this insomnia as a psychological impact of committing an evil act for one’s own gain.
We see MacBeth’s initial paranoia in Act 2 Scene 1 when he comes across the floating image of the dagger before he enters Duncan’s chamber and in his soliloquy says: “Thus to mine eyes. Now o'er the one half-world Nature seems dead, and wicked dreams abuse The curtained sleep.” MacBeth refers to “wicked dreams” or nightmares that plague those who are alive The audience Act 2, Scene 2, immediately after his immoral murder

Show More
Related

  • Sleep Motif In Macbeth

    446 Words  | 2 Pages

    Throughout the first two acts of Macbeth, the motif of sleep is portrayed through several opposing perspectives. We are first introduced to this recurring idea in the first scene, when the witches elect to meet Macbeth on the heath during the battle’s aftermath. The First Witch says that she will punish a woman by preventing her husband from sleeping on his voyage, declaring that “I will drain him dry as hay: Sleep shall neither night nor day Hang upon his pent-house lid;” (I.ii.18-20). The phenomenon in this scene is presented as an basic item that is to always be taken for granted, like clean water and shelter. If someone were to be denied the right to sleep, it would constitute torture.

    Read More

  • Theme Of Visions And Hallucinations In Macbeth

    748 Words  | 3 Pages

    In Macbeth, written by William Shakespeare, the motif of visions and hallucinations occurs a lot and is the effect of many of the characters’ actions. This theme occurs through the words of the witches, the main character Macbeth, his wife Lady Macbeth, his best friend Banquo, and his “cousin” Malcolm. Macbeth was the Thane of Glamis and a Scottish general. Throughout the play, this motif became less common. In act one there were four examples of visions and hallucinations, mostly having to do with the witches.

    Read More

  • Examples Of Diction In Macbeth

    531 Words  | 3 Pages

    For starters when Macbeth says, “In the affliction of these terrible dreams that shake us nightly: better be with the dead, whom we, to gain our peace, have sent to peace that on the torture of the mind to lie in restless ecstacy” it proves that the theme that the feeling of guilt can destroy one’s quality of life is true. This is because Lady Macbeth and Macbeth are now envious of Duncan because whilst dead he is finally at peace and they aren’t at peace even whilst having what they wanted in the fear of danger. Plus the quote shows how macbeth is being tormented by his actions (the murders more specifically) which brings the topics of morality(?), guilt and paranoia. Because of his increase of power Macbeth could be feeling more paranoid as he is being tormented by his mind so he could start to think that he is being targeted. Another example of metaphor is when he says “O, full of scorpions is my mind dear wife!”

    Read More

  • Mental State In Macbeth

    1168 Words  | 5 Pages

    In William Shakespeare’s tragic play Macbeth, the reader can clearly note the decline in Macbeth’s mental state. As the play progresses one can undoubtedly see Macbeth’s mental state degrading as his thoughts become increasingly dark, anxious, desperate, and laced with insecurities. Shakespeare’s writing effectively conveys Macbeth’s state of mind by using various literary devices, imagery, as well as the presence of Lady Macbeth to provide contrasting thoughts to that of Macbeth, allowing the reader to clearly observe and understand Macbeth’s state of mind throughout the scene. By using literary devices, Shakespeare is able to convey the thoughts of Macbeth in a way that is easy for the reader to understand. As the scene begins to advance, Macbeth, talking to his wife, begins to outline the object of his declining mental state through a metaphor, “We have scorched the snake, not killed it.”

    Read More

  • Motifs And Motifs In Macbeth

    519 Words  | 3 Pages

    "Eat our meal in fear and sleep / In the affliction of these terrible dreams / That shake us nightly" (3.2.17-19). This depicts that Macbeth is fearful, paranoid, and plagued with nightmares that will eventually lead him towards insanity. Additionally, in Act 5 it says "Rise from her bed, throw her night-gown upon her, unlock her closet, take forth paper, fold it, write upon't, read it, afterwards seal it, and again return to bed; yet all this while in a most fast sleep" (5.1.5-7). The motif is also effective in the quote because Lady Macbeth is acting like she is awake when she is actually asleep.

    Read More

  • Macbeth Blood Will Have Blood Analysis

    1398 Words  | 6 Pages

    Sleep is one of the purest forms of altered consciousness however, traumatic experiences can impede one’s unconscious thoughts. Macbeth returns after killing Duncan and the guards, grief stricken and afraid. He tells his wife that sleep itself has been murdered and that nobody is immune his treachery (5.1.44). Macbeth’s crime is intensified by the act of murder being done at night and to sleeping rather than awake guards. The moment of guilt that Macbeth felt for his actions represents the hidden innocence behind the crimes.

    Read More

  • Essay On Mental Deterioration In Macbeth

    619 Words  | 3 Pages

    Macbeth shall sleep no more.” ” It seems that Macbeth just hears things that aren’t actually there. This implies, Macbeth is undergoing a mental state from his guilt. It is clear by his actions that he is starting to become very crazy.

    Read More

  • Macbeth Loss Of Innocence Analysis

    565 Words  | 3 Pages

    This was shown when Macbeth saw a child and he heard voices saying “Macbeth shall sleep no more”. Macbeth hear this because the voices are implying that he is no longer innocent and the innocent cannot sleep. Although Lady Macbeth did not commit the crime of killing Duncan, she convinced Macbeth to kill Duncan and came up with the plan. This is why for the same reason as Macbeth, Lady Macbeth has trouble sleeping and starts to

    Read More

  • Decay In Macbeth

    858 Words  | 4 Pages

    To start off, we see that Macbeth creates an uncanny aura as he refers to the supernatural, which we see in his soliloquies. He delivers the statement “Nature seems dead, wicked dreams abuse” and “witchcraft celebrates Pale Hecate’s offerings”. The phrase ‘nature seems dead’ indicates the dark, silent atmosphere as he is about to commit the crime of regicide that counterpoints the Divine Right. When something is “wicked” it corresponds to evil or unholiness. He tells us how dreams could be unreal and not what is expected, which forebodes how bad things are going to happen.

    Read More

  • Symbolism Of Sleep In Macbeth

    715 Words  | 3 Pages

    The word “sleep” is used throughout Macbeth with various connotations. One of the ways to interpret Shakespeare's use of “sleep,” is as a symbol of innocence. This symbolism is used repeatedly in concerns to Duncan and his murder. When Lady Macbeth is unable to kill Duncan, she explains, “Had he not resembled / My father as he slept, I had done’t”

    Read More

  • Use Of Hallucination In Macbeth

    287 Words  | 2 Pages

    Macbeth and his Hallucinations In the Shakespeare play Macbeth, Macbeth has a number of hallucinations that stir a distinctive role throughout the play. Every hallucination occurs due to Macbeth’s past or his present life. Before the killing of King Duncan, Macbeth hallucinates a dagger before him. “Is this dagger which i see before me, the handle toward my hand?

    Read More

  • Analysis Of Macbeth: A Motive That Murders Sleep

    408 Words  | 2 Pages

    A Motive that Murders Sleep Ambition can either be a good driver or a reckless one. In act one, scene seven Macbeth states, "I have no spur to prick the sides of my intent, but only vaulting ambition, which o'erleaps itself and falls on the other. " Macbeth, is trying to rationalize his impending murder of King Duncan. Unfortunately, as Macbeth has just explained to himself, there's no real justification for the crime—Duncan is his relative, a good king, and, furthermore, a guest at his castle. All this argues against his intent of murder, which will appear unjustifiable to mortal and divine eyes alike.

    Read More

  • Theme Of Insomnia In Macbeth

    1103 Words  | 5 Pages

    Insomnia In the play Macbeth, Shakespeare shows the consciences of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth and how each one suffers when sleep is altered by their evil acts. This intricate use of sleep deprivation was used to indicate future turmoil. Sleep is a word that many associate with rest and being able to function. However, when used throughout Macbeth, it becomes a reflection of inner unrest.

    Read More

  • Use Of Sleep In Macbeth

    551 Words  | 3 Pages

    But the point is, during Macbeth, he uses sleep in a literal sense that connects with the future death of important characters. Only two events happened where sleep wasn’t involved with the death of important characters. These two events are when Macduff’s family gets murdered and the death of the Young Siward. In Act I, Lady Macbeth is planning for her and Macbeth to murder King Duncan in his sleep.

    Read More

  • Macbeth: An Aristotelian Tragic Hero

    703 Words  | 3 Pages

    Macbeth is extremely paranoid and guilty. He doesn’t believe he will be able to sleep after committing this

    Read More

More about Sleep Imagery In Macbeth's Initial Paranoia

Open Document