In 1606, William Shakespeare wrote the last of his four great tragedies; Macbeth. Shakespeare's Scottish tragedy is about Macbeth's bloody rise to power; throughout the story the role of guilt plays a huge influence in the characters actions. In the beginning, the main character, Macbeth was a kind and loyal nobleman to the King Duncan, but throughout the play changes into a deceitfully evil man whose life is greatly influenced by his guilt. Lady Macbeth also plays a huge part in scheming these sinful acts, and they affect her mind and spirit intensely, they cause her to be driven to insanity and eventually to her death. In this essay I will be discussing the role of guilt portrayed throughout the play and what effects it has on the characters and their actions.
Most of this guilt started just after act two scene two when Macbeth kills King Duncan. Lady Macbeth is restlessly waiting for Macbeth to arrive home, and when he does, he is in a state of distress. "This is a sorry sight"(line 29), he told her. . "A foolish thought, to say a sorry sight". Macbeth was horrified with what he had done and can not bring himself to relive his dreadful deeds, he could not believe what he had gotten himself into; he had killed an innocent man which he once honored, and a man who many people cherished as king. He says that he fear's God's wrath, that he can no longer pray and that a voice has said to him "sleep no more." that night Macbeth was encircled by a never ending guilt.
The second time Macbeth feels guilty is in act three. Macbeth remembers the witch's prophesy that Banquo's sons shall be king and so Macbeth makes plans to kill Banquo and his son Fleance. Macbeth finds out that Banquo and his son will be going out on a horseback ride and he arranges for two men to murder them when they return. In act three scene two Macbeth states that "things bad begun make strong themselves by ill" by this I thinks he means that his guilt will lessen with more evil deeds.
