Examples Of Sleep Imagery In Macbeth

1989 Words4 Pages

Mee Jung Ko
Laura Zink
English 17A
19 March 2016
Sleep Imagery in Macbeth There are different opinions on what caused Macbeth’s inevitable tragedy - some believe that Macbeth was under the influence of fate and uncontrollable external forces that unfortunately left him as a victim of outside influences. Others speculate that Macbeth brought misfortune on himself by willing such fate to become true, and that he himself was to blame as he acted based on his personal objectives and forethought, freely. Macbeth and Lady Macbeth’s repetitive references to sleep imagery makes it irrefutable that fate is in fact a self-fulfilling prophecy carried out by Macbeth and his wife. The domino effect of their catastrophic actions begins from the witches’ …show more content…

Shortly after Macbeth’s hallucination, Macbeth kills King Duncan. Lady Macbeth approaches him and finds Macbeth horrified of committing the murder and finishes the entire scheme by pretending to be shocked when Duncan’s dead body is discovered. Macbeth claims that he thinks someone heard him kill Duncan …show more content…

He becomes the murderer that kills “the innocent sleep”. He sounds desperate as he knows that what he done cannot be undone - sleep represents innocence that cannot be brought back. The personified image of murdering sleep is like murdering a human being. Macbeth uses the word murder to personify sleep which refers to his killing of Duncan, and also his own future sleep and rest that he has lost by committing this murder. While Macbeth knows that sleep is something wonderful as it “knits up the raveled leave of care”, it is like a bath after great labor, and a healing source for “hurt minds”, he has murdered it because he believes that he is controlled by fate. Sleep is described not just as a natural and routinely act; in fact it is something that is so necessary and magnificent as it is what a human being needs in every condition, whether that be for the laborer or people with worries and pain. Macbeth believes that sleep is something wonderful and yet he is still willing to give that up in order to fulfill the prophecy. It could have been possible for Macbeth to become king in the future if he was indeed destined to take the throne. He describes all the joys in life, and complains that he has lost it after the murder, as he was acting to fulfill the witches’ prediction. This shows that he had a choice of not murdering Duncan as he knew the cost of his act; yet he risked losing everything

Show More
Related

  • Macbeth Victim Quotes

    450 Words  | 1 Pages

    Throughout the story Macbeth by William Shakespeare, Macbeth seemed to just be a victim of “fate”. But, in the end it was clear that his character gained power over that “fate”, at least he gained power over

    Read More

  • Macbeth: Fate vs Free Will

    1200 Words  | 3 Pages

    Fate vs Free Will is one of the most oft used literary techniques in writing. It is never more evident than in Shakespeare’s play Macbeth. The major theme of the story Macbeth is whether or not the story is fueled by the free will of Macbeth, or by his fate. Are the events in Macbeth a result of his mentality and outlook on life, or were they going to happen no matter what? Almost every major event that takes place can be traced back to this question. It can be viewed in different ways, and most people have their own opinions. Dissecting this question is a part of what makes teaching Macbeth still have so much value to this day. But there is a clear answer to this question upon further dissection. The story of Macbeth is fueled by his free will, which he perceives to be a necessary part of achieving his fate.

    Read More

  • Morally Ambiguous Character In Shakespeare's Macbeth

    1136 Words  | 3 Pages

    He is manipulated by Lady Macbeth to commit the murder of King Duncan, and Macbeth feels extreme remorse after the murder. Originally Macbeth was wavering with committing the murder. That scene contains the following quote “My thought, whose murder yet is but fantastical, Shakes so my single state of man.” In the beginning of the play, Macbeth is seen as a brave and great nobleman, however, when Macbeth receives news that there is a chance for him to rise to great power he conspires to murder the current king to gain the

    Read More

  • Macbeth Dead Butcher Analysis

    927 Words  | 2 Pages

    Macbeth’s royalness and self-confidence had made King Duncan believe in Macbeth to become a great leader one day. Duncan holds a great deal of amount of trust into Macbeth now. With Macbeth’s vaulting ambition, he has no choice now to kill Duncan and fulfill his ambition. Macbeth soon later kills Duncan with Duncan’s blood all over his hands. “Still it cried 'Sleep no more!' to all the house: Glamis hath murder'd sleep, and therefore Cawdor Shall sleep no more; Macbeth shall sleep no more.” (2.2.53-55). Macbeth has brought a great amount of guilt to himself. He feels that he will never sleep again because he destroyed

    Read More

  • Sleep and Rest In Macbeth

    1775 Words  | 4 Pages

    In William Shakespeare’s ‘Macbeth’ sleep is a very significant aspect of the play which is portrayed by many references to it and occurrences that result in sleep deprivation. To emphasize the importance of resting Shakespeare uses varied poetic language and sleep distortions. Sleep comes as a significant theme of the play when Macbeth, persuaded by Lady Macbeth kills King Duncan while he is asleep at their house. Consequently, Macbeth suffers from devastating nightmares and delusions which are the reasons for his constant paranoia and anxiety that lead to numerous murders.

    Read More

  • The Emotions of Ambition, Remorse, and Fear in 'Macbeth' by William Shakespeare

    387 Words  | 1 Pages

    Macbeth feels a great deal of remorse after he has killed the king. He understands that he has committed a sin and will be punished. He is so terrified that he hears voices telling him:“ Macbeth does murder sleep, … , Macbeth shall sleep no more”(Act 2, Sc.2 p. 57). Macbeth is very upset with himself and wishes that he never killed Duncan. “To know my deed it were best not know myself.” When he hears strange knocking at the gate he wishes that it wakes up Duncan, “wake Duncan with thy knocking”, however it is too late (Act 2, Sc.3 p. 61).

    Read More

  • Examples Of Allusions In Macbeth

    1336 Words  | 3 Pages

    The Macbeth’s fancy banquet to celebrate Macbeth being crowned king is partially a cover to conceal another murder. They invite all of the noblemen and Banquo is noticeably absent. During a toast the ghost of Banquo appears and sits in Macbeth’s seat, and of course Macbeth freaks out in front of everyone who is present, after all, he knows that Banquo is dead. Banquo’s apparition seems to remind Macbeth of the deceitful course he has chosen. The ghost disappears and then re-appears and Macbeth again loses his cool. The now worried noblemen leave. Later, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth try to explain away his apparitions due to lack of sleep and his fear. Macbeth always seems conscious of his evil choices, yet he cannot stop himself from causing further

    Read More

  • Macbeth Descent into Madness in Shakespeare's Macbeth

    844 Words  | 2 Pages

    Macbeth follows the plan and kills Duncan (II, ii, 15). Directly following the murder, Macbeth can no longer say amen (II, iii, 31-33). Macbeth also hears a voice in his head say, “sleep no more! Macbeth does murder sleep”(II, ii, 35, 36). For the rest of the play, Macbeth suffers from insomnia.

    Read More

  • The Lying Witches and the Downfall of Shakespeare's Macbeth

    808 Words  | 2 Pages

    Macbeth had invited the King and the King's men to his castle to celebrate the victory of the battle that had been won.  That night, while everyone was asleep, Macbeth took a dagger and killed the King. After the murder he became very paranoid.  In act 2, scene 2, he cries: "Didst thou not hear a noise? ...There's one did laugh in's sleep, and one cried `murder!', Methought I heard a voice cry `Sleep no more! Macbeth does murder sleep'...I am afraid to think what I have done; look on't again I dare not."

    Read More

  • Theme Of Guilt In Macbeth

    860 Words  | 2 Pages

    Towards the beginning of the play, Macbeth was told by three witches of his future as the Thane of Cawdor and as King of Scotland. Together, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth devised an evil plan to brutally murder King Duncan. In doing this, Macbeth was one step closer to his prophecy of being King coming true. Macbeth expressed guilt and second thoughts before he even did the deed, but after the murder is done is when his guilt really started to show. Immediately after, Macbeth heard voices saying “Macbeth shall sleep no more” (II.ii.22-43). The guilt would keep him awake forever and would continually eat away at him. He was so disgusted with himself that he couldn’t even put the daggers back at the scene of the crime (II.ii.51-53). Lady Macbeth, guilt free at the time, stepped in and did this for him. Guilt often causes people to lie, which is why Macbeth quickly reacted and killed the guards. Lady Macbeth attempted to cover for him and fainted as a distraction (II.iii.106). He couldn’t keep his thoughts straight and it ended ...

    Read More

  • Fate vs. Freedom

    1036 Words  | 3 Pages

    Macbeth was not a hopeless victim of fate, he was pushed by the power of suggestion, and in the end he ultimately chose his actions. The characters are people guided by a God, witches or a higher power, giving major points of destiny, yet the control of how they handle life events is on the individual. Macbeth and the rest of the cast can not just sit back and blame "fate;" life is what each individual person makes it. The play makes an important distinction: Fate may dictate what will be but how destiny comes about is a matter of chance of man’s own choice or free will.

    Read More

  • Fate And Free Will In Shakespeare's Macbeth

    1130 Words  | 3 Pages

    Whether or not the concept of fate is legitimate is regularly debated by many people. Some believe that the events of one’s life are predetermined by a supernatural power, out of human control. Others believe that free will allows us to create our own fate, and that one’s decisions determine how the events of one’s life play out. In William Shakespeare’s Macbeth, both fate and free will are predominant themes in the play. The ever-present supernatural aspect of the play can create an interesting debate over whether or not Macbeth’s downfall could have played out differently, or even been avoided completely. The witches’ prophecies had an impact on Macbeth’s actions, however, it is ultimately free-will that causes his downfall.

    Read More

  • The Lust for Power in Macbeth by William Shakespeare

    853 Words  | 2 Pages

    Macbeth's destiny and his lust for power, confirmed by the Three Witches and Lady Macbeth, leads to destruction. Every act that Macbeth commits effects the kingdom as a whole. Macbeth's indecisiveness and his understanding of success cause this destruction. This lust for power leads Macbeth, as it would all men, to an evil that exist in everyone. It is his destiny to fail.

    Read More

  • Macbeth A Fool's Ambition Essay

    892 Words  | 2 Pages

    “To prick the sides of my intent, but only Vaulting ambition, which o’erleaps itself And falls on the’ other--”(I,vii,26-28). Macbeth’s ambition for power is the only thing making him want to kill the king. Lady Macbeth has to boost Macbeth back into the plan by calling him a coward and saying if he does kill Duncan he would be a big shot guy. Macbeth then sees a dagger and is leading him to Duncan’s room. That point in the play Macbeth hasn’t even murdered Duncan but is losing himself. After Macbeth has killed Duncan, Lady Macbeth tells him not to think about it for it will drive them mad. Some irony to go along with the second point. “Methought I heard a voice cry “Sleep no more! Macbeth does murder sleep”(II,ii,33-34). Macbeth is losing himself fast already because of regret.

    Read More

  • Factors Contributing to Macbeth's Downfall in William Shakespeare's Macbeth

    432 Words  | 1 Pages

    In William Shakespeare's famous play Macbeth, there are many reasons for Macbeth's gradual downfall. Numerous factors contributed to Macbeth's ruin, such as his own character flaws and his demanding wife, Lady Macbeth. The Three Witches, however, caused Macbeth the most trouble. First, the sisters stirred his dormant ambitions to be king. In addition to this, the witches' prophesies gave Macbeth a false sense of security. Finally, their predictions falsely led Macbeth to believe he would some day be happy. The Witches' contributed the most to Macbeth's destruction by first stirring his deep lying ambitions, also by giving him a false sense of security and finally, by allowing Macbeth to believe he would someday be content.

    Read More

More about Examples Of Sleep Imagery In Macbeth

Open Document