Macbeth Critical/ Analytical Study Essay

Guilt is a very strong, uncomfortable intent that is often a result of ones take exemplifyions. In the play, Macbeth, the author William Shakespeare uses character development to demonstrate how wickedness jakes be self-destructive and lastly lead to a negative impact on an individuals mental stability. Macbeth, brothel keeper Macbeth and Macduff altogether suffer from a punishable conscience which affects them in different ways precisely at last pay offs them to behave irrationally. A persons delinquency and disgrace has the authority to drive them to insanity and sometimes self-destruction. Macbeth starts out as a brave, chivalrous individual who is widely respected throughout his country. However, behind the valiant physique is a secret that is slowly eating away at him. Macbeth is a murderer. The guilt and degrade commence when Macbeth allows himself to be manipulated to commit much(prenominal) a beastly act.When he runner experiences his guilty conscience, he m istakes the feeling as fear. This is outgrowth evident reasonable in the beginning he murders King Dun buns and Macbeth has a vision of an imaginary dagger. Is this a dagger which I see before me,/ the handle toward my hand? Come, let me clutch thee. (2.1.33-34). He realizes that the dagger is just an image in his mind, but decides that it is a result of his fear and watchs with the task. This is the first patch where Macbeth shows a sign of a mental breakd experience, although he is liquid able to call somewhat rationally. This ultimately evolves into a hardened Macbeth and causes him to continue with his hideous actions until he is out of control. The murder of King Duncan is followed by the murders of m some(prenominal) an(prenominal) separates, including his closest friend Banquo.The build-up of guilt begins the affect Macbeths mental assign more and more until he can no longer deliberate straight. He begins to hallucinate and on occasion has visions of the ghost of B anquo. The ghost first appears at the banquet, where Macbeth sees the bloody image of Banquo sitting at the dinner table. His horrific reaction alone shows the guilt he has for the murder, and the fact that no other guests at the banquet are aware of the ghost confirms that the ghost has been make up in Macbeths head. This is the point at which the mental infirmity begins to take all over, causing Macbeth to behave insanely as well. The guilt and shame of his actions is what in the end destroys him. The murder of Macduffs family is the main example of how rampant he be grows it is the unnecessary murder of the complete innocent.Macbeths disgrace is pellucid near the end of the play, where he informs Macduff that he would not harm him as he is already guilty of murdering his whole family. But get thee keister my soul is too much charged/ With blood of thane already (5.8.6-7). He proves this when he has an opportunity to execute Macduff but instead backs d stimulate. This is the point in the play that represents the self-destruction of guilt. Out of revenge, Macduff soon after slays Macbeth, taking his life. With such a build up of guilt and shame driving him to the point of insanity, Macbeths mental instability eventually took over and led him to his own destruction. Macbeths wife experiences similar guilt, although is affected by it in a different way. wench Macbeth is the individual who first instigates Macbeth to commit his first crime.She has a considerable amount of ambition for forefinger, and is not afraid to execute every kind of horrific offence in order to get the power she wants. After the murder of the King, Lady Macbeth does not show signs of disgrace resembling her husband, in fact she tells Macbeth that they need to forget about the crime all together. Things without all remedy/ Should be without regard whats done is done. (3.2.13-14). However, guilt still haunts Lady Macbeth, but it haunts her in her subconscious. She makes it clear th at she is unable to ease at night and that she is disturbed by nightmares. Although, Lady Macbeth is only composite with the initial murder of Duncan, the several murders that follow are out of her control. Her supposition of covering up and forgetting about the crime is soon taken over by an out of control guilty conscience.She begins to show remorse for the actions, but her guilt is what drives her to her insanity. The point at which this is evident is when she is found sleep travel one night. During her soliloquy, memories of the night of the murder tumble out, revealing some of her guilty secrets. The Thane of Fife had a wife. Where is she now? (5.1.30). I tell you again, Banquo is buried he cannot come ons grave. (5.1.44). This is also the point at while Lady Macbeths mental instability begins to show. She starts hallucinating that she has blood on her give from the murder that she cannot seem to wash off. Out, damned sport Out, I label (5.1.25). Lady Macbeths shame overp owers her, leaving her incapable to think or act rationally and her conscience is what ultimately causes her to take her own life. Lady Macbeth loses control of her emotions and guilt and her shame overwhelms her to the point of suicide.Macduff is another character who is consumed with guilt as well, but for a different reason. His guilt is not for any crimes he has committed, but it is a result of one of Macbeths. Macduff leaves his family alone at their house in Scotland, while he travels to England in order to converge forces to stand against Macbeth. Because of this, Macbeth sees him as a threat to his power and does anything he can to stop him, just as he has to any other individuals who came across as a threat. While Macduff is away, Macbeth murders his wife and children, as well as any employees found in his house. Macduff blames himself and feels guilty for leaving his family alone to be slaughtered. Sinful Macduff,/ They were all struck for thee Naught I am,/ Not for thei r own demerits, but for mine,/ Fell slaughter on their souls. (4.3.231-234).Macduff then shows his firsts signs of inability to think rationally as a result of this guilt. His immediate reaction Is revenge on Macbeth, and he is then driven by the idea of his murder. Macduff vows to kill Macbeth on his own blade. When he achieves his wish of revenge and frees the country of Macbeths tyranny, he does so in a way that was no offend than the acts of Macbeth. Even when a persons guilt is brought upon them by an act which is out of their control, it can still affect their mental state and cause them to lose control of their emotions.No matter the individual, or their title, guilt can take over anyone. Both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth had guilt that led to their own self-destruction. Macduffs led to an irrational decision and a result no better than that of Macbeths actions. When individuals allow their emotions take over their actions it to a overlook of ability to reason, it can drive a p erson mad and ultimately lead to their own downfall.