The Theme Of Guilt In Macbeth

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"Fear is the tax that conscience pays to the guilt". In the tragedy of Macbeth, the characters experience multifarious personalities. Macbeth and Lady Macbeth deceive and betray to reach ultimate power. This will collide with the characters as the drama unfolds itself. In William Shakespeare's drama, guilt is a major theme illustrated through various ironies. Guilt strikes Lady Macbeth ensuing the murder of Duncan. While in her room, Lady Macbeth hollers, " Out, damned spot! Out, I say! " (Mac 5.1. 38) The imaginary blood spots that behold Lady Macbeth's hands emphasize her intense feelings of remorse for the murder of Duncan. In the inception of the story, Lady Macbeth was dauntless and tranquil about the murder of Duncan. Lady Macbeth tells Macbeth, " tis safer to be that which we destroy than by destruction dwell in doubtful joy." (Mac 3.2. 8-9) As guilt overcame Lady Macbeth, she said she would rather die than live with such a large amount of compunction. It's amazing how people change. At first, Lady…show more content…
For example, when king Macbeth was ask to take a seat he replied " the table is full ." (Mac 3.4.54) Macbeth's guilt is portrayed through his conscience imaginations of Banquo's ghost which represents his remorse for his vile sin. The regret felt by Macbeth is very unexpected because of his master planning of the murder at first. Moreover, irony is also displayed because Banquo was his dearest and most loyal friend in the inauguration of the story. After confronting Banquo's ghost, Macbeth wails at it " thow canst not say I did it. Never shake thy gory looks at me ". ( Mac 3.4. 61-62) During his altercation with Banquo's ghost, Macbeth alleges that he did not kill Banquo while he actually did. Macbeth was so overwhelmed with guilt that he envisions an illusory conversation with Banquo's ghost. It is clear that Macbeth was overwhelmed with guilt after the death of
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