Macbeth Murder Scene Analysis

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The murder of an innocent man is not something to be taken lightly. In act two scene two of Shakespeare's Macbeth, Macbeth understands how atrocious murder is, although Lady Macbeth does not comprehend the sensitivity of the matter. Macbeth, like most people, feels pain and sorrow for murdering King Duncan. This is demonstrated when he states, “This is a sorry sight” (2.2.28). In this context, sorry means a poor or pitiful state. Macbeth is describing the murder scene as disturbing and unfortunate because an innocent man was murdered for egotistical reasons. Macbeth is having trouble coping with what he has done because even though he kills often he does not usually kill the innocent. Since Macbeth was so affected by this murder it conveys …show more content…

If you have ever cheated on a test or stolen something you would understand how guilt is a constant weight you bare on your shoulders. Evidently, this is how Macbeth feels, but Lady Macbeth does not feel that burden. Macbeth is acting with respect to pathos regarding his guilt. Macbeth says, “My hands, they pluck out my eyes” (2.2.59). Macbeth is overreacting to his fear because he doesn't want to live with it for the rest of his life. With his eyes, Macbeth is forced to look back on the murder every day, which Macbeth's whose heart is white like milk, can’t bare. Whereas Lady Macbeth acknowledges that she is guilty of murdering the King but does not feel any regret. She communicates this to Macbeth by saying “My hands are of your colour but I shame to wear a heart so white” (2.2.82). Lady Macbeth criticizes her husband's for feeling contrite after taking an innocent life. Any reasonable person would feel a sense of compunction after murdering. Consequently, Lady Macbeth is not reasonable she is different, in a bad way. Macbeth may have a heart that is white as milk, but that is better than having a heart red like the fires of hell. Nevertheless, Macbeth feels guilt, but Lady Macbeth does …show more content…

Macbeth believes that the murder of King Duncan is life-altering and thus does not deal with his guilt in a rational way. While trying to cleanse himself of the dead Macbeth says, “Will all of great Neptune's oceans wash this blood clean from my hands” (2.2.78). Macbeth is being very dramatic and irrational. It is very well known that water can easily cleanse blood from hands, but Macbeth is doubtful that all the water in the world could help him. This shows Macbeth is innocent and scared about what the future may hold. He clearly believes nothing can help him. Whiles Macbeth is panicking Lady Macbeth believes that the murder of King Duncan is no big deal. She states, “A little water will cleanse us this crime” (2.2.68). Lady Macbeth remains thoroughly composed, level-headed, and rational when dealing with her own feelings as well as Macbeth's feelings after King Duncan is killed. She acts as if she doesn’t care that she took part in murdering someone. Although Lady Macbeth responds logically to the idea of cleaning the blood, it shows how little culpability she feels. Henceforth, Macbeth believes he will never be resolved of this crime, but Lady Macbeth is not concerned in the

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