Macbeth Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Analysis

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Throughout the play, The Tragedy of MacBeth by William Shakespeare, MacBeth shows signs of mental illness MacBeth experiences symptoms of both Post-traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD, and Schizophrenia throughout the play of MacBeth. With PTSD, a person has the chance of feeling guilty, being very irritable and agitated, along with being depressed. “Doctors aren't sure why some people get PTSD”(Mayo Clinic Staff PTSD). They do believe that it is a mix of many things including traumas experienced, hormones in the brain, and inherited mental health risks. Schizophrenia has similar symptoms, but some are different. Some symptoms include depression, guilt, hallucinations, and paranoia. “It's not known what causes schizophrenia, but researchers believe that a combination of genetics and environment contributes to development of the disorder”(Mayo Clinic Staff Schizophrenia). …show more content…

To start, MacBeth experiences guilt after he murders King Duncan, “I’ll go no more./ I am afraid to think what I have done./ Look on ‘t again I dare not”(2. 2. 48-50). MacBeth feels guilty about killing Duncan, so he refuses to note what he has done. Another symptom MacBeth experiences is hallucinations. When Banquo is murdered, his ghost is seen by MacBeth. “Avaunt, and quit my sight! Let the earth hide thee/ Thy bones are marrowless; thy blood is cold;/ Thou hast no speculation in those eyes/ Which thou dost glare with”(2. 4. 93-96). MacBeth is the only person who is able to see Banquo's ghost, so his banquet guests think he is starting to go

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