Macbeth's Mental State Of Mind Quotes

When committing an action against one's better judgment and morals, mental deteriorations clouds and hijacks one's mental state. In the play Macbeth written by William Shakespeare, Macbeth is a merciless and courageous thane under the rule King Duncan, when three witches tell him of a prophecy in which he becomes King of Scotland. Though awarded the title of thane of glamis, Macbeth soon realises that he must take actions into his own hands if he want to become King. Macbeth’s obsession with fulfilling his destiny, drastically alters his state of mind and results in him not achieving his goals and meeting an untimely end. Macbeth’s worsening mental state, hinders his ability to make reasonable decisions, diverts his attention and focus and stips away his emotions.

Firstly, Macbeth's worsening mental state, hinders his ability to make reasonable and calculated decisions which only spurs his downfall as a result of his egregious and shameful actions. Macbeth demonstrates how the conflict in his consciousness alters his mental state for the worse as he starts to hallucinate and not think of the consequences of his actions. After a quick discussion with Banquo late at night, Macbeth decides to continue on with his plan to kill Duncan despite realising that Banquo’s loyalties still lie with the King in spite of Banquo also knowing about the prophecy. Macbeth starts to hallucinate a bloody dagger similar to his own, encouraging him that killing Duncan is the right choice, suddenly has the bell rings Macbeth states, “ I

go,and it is done. The bell invites me. / Hear it not, Duncan, for it is a knell / That summons thee to heaven, or to hell” ( Shakespeare II.i.70-73). Even Though, Macbeth understands that his decision to kill Duncan is one that contradicts his better morals and judgment, his mental instability caused by the witches, Lady Macbeth and symbols such as the bell, mentally push Macbeth over the edge onto a path of corruption. Macbeth uses the bell as an invitation to signify Duncan’s death as hero or a villain, despite fully knowing what a great King Duncan is. This demonstrates how Macbeth has no second thoughts on prior events and the potential consequences of his actions. Further on, once Macbeth gains power on the throne, similarly he demonstrates mentally instability as he worries about the loyalties of his subjects and struggles to find a just and reasonable ways to diminish his problems. As news arrives that Macduff has fled to England to join Donalbain, Macbeth learns from the three witches that no man born from a women may kill him, but still fearing possible treason, Macbeth ruthlessly declares:
The flighty purpose never is overtook Unless the deed go with it.

From this moment The very firstling of my heart shall be The firstling of my hand. And even now, To crown my thoughts with acts, be it thought and done! The castle of Macbeth I will surprise, Seize upon Fife, give to the edge of the sword His wife, his babes, and all unfortunate souls That trace him in his line. No boasting like a fool! This deed I’ll do before this purpose.

(IV.i.)
Macbeth acts on his corrupted instincts rather than thinking about the outcome of his remorseless plan.Despite knowing Macduff possesses no threat according to the witches, Macbeth ensures that his family pay for his treason. This horrific sequence of events, enrages Macduff and make him solely devoted to take down Macbeth, for personal justice and revenge. Though Macbeth makes damaging and unreasonable decision, his focus and thirst for the prophecy corrupts his mental state further.
Secondly, as Macbeth continues on the same path of destruction and insecurity, guilt starts to drastically eat away at his mental stability making him crack under the pressure of his own thoughts. As Macbeth learn from Lady Macbeth that Banquo has left his court, Macbeth’s soon realises that he has failed to keep his friend loyal to him. Referring back to the prophecy, Macbeth becomes dedicated to ensure Banquo and his more importantly his son, Fleance, die in order to ensure that he maintains power. Despite this, Macbeth confesses;
Better be with the dead, Whom we, to gain our peace, have sent to peace,
Than on the torture of the mind to lie In restless ecstasy. Duncan is in his grave. After life’s fitful fever he sleeps well. Treason has done his worst; nor steel nor poison, Malice domestic, foreign levy, nothing Can touch him further (III.ii.).
Macbeth recognizes that Duncan’s murder was unjustified and purely due to Macbeth’s own greed for power. Macbeth confeeses that his actions are the reason that he longer feels inner peace and that the life he thought he would have as King has been ruined by his horrendous actions. As Macbeth finally concludes that his, any uncertainties are due to his guilty mental state, he sets out to be less emotional but this further destroys his mental state. Furthermore,the actions taken by Macbeth start to disrupt his focus on maintaining stability and order in his kingdom as his guilty conscious affects his mental state. Macbeth demonstrates that he is not mentally strong and does not posses an iron fist mentality as is morally wrong action continue to haunt him diverting his attention from those around him to his own hallucinations. As Macbeth holds a feast at his castle alongside other thanes, Macbeth looks for an open seat but can not find one until he realises that the gruesome and bloodied ghost of Banquo is sitting in his chair. Macbeth miserably yells;
Prithee, see there!
Behold! Look! Lo! How say you?
Why what care I?
If thou canst nod, speak too.
If charnel houses and graves must send
Those that we bury back our monuments
Shall be the maws of kites. (III.iv.)
Macbeth’s imagination of Banquo greatly diminishes his reputation amongst the thanes further damaging his popularity and control over his Kingdom. As Macbeth is the only one to see Banquo’s figure he becomes very confused about what he is seeing, which further destroys any mental integrity he possesses.
Lastly, after learning from the witches about his fate, Macbeth does nothing upon hearing of troops stationed nearby his castle ready to attack. “Bring me no more reports. Let them fly all. Till Birnam Wood remove to Dunsinane. I cannot taint with fear” (V.iii.1-3). Macbeths lack of fear and chockiness that results in his castle being taken over swiftly by Mcduff. as Macbeth realises that the majority of the Thanes no longer have trust in his reign, he develops an emotionless state, which results in him making decisions without any sentiment or passion. Next, when Macbeth hears news of his wife's death, Macbeth shows no remorse for her death and fails to recognize that Lady Macbeth has most likely committed suicide due to the enormous stress and guilt that has deteriorated her mind till that point. In a moment of reflection Macbeth realises,
I have almost forgot the taste of fears. The time has been, my senses would have cooled To hear a night- shriek, and my fell of hair Would at a dismal treatise rouse and stir As life were in it. I have supped full of horrors. Direness familiar to my slaughterous thoughts, cannot once start me. (V.v.)
Macbeth concludes that his emotions for the death of his wife are non existent, which the drastic character development contrast in his character from the beginning of the play due to his mental degradation. His decisions to not see her for a final time only worsens his public image, which greatly reduces his support in the dying moments prior to the battle.
When going against one's own personal beliefs, corruption and guilt can distract and alter one's actions and interactions.The protagonist, Macbeth, in the play Macbeth by William Shakespeare, by the influence of the three witches, Macbeth becomes plagued by the ultimate goal of becoming King of Scotland, which causes him down a corrupt and immoral path.This path hinders Macbeth’s decision forcing him into many unethical commands and thoughts such as killing King Duncan dishonourably in his sleep and massacring Macduff's family who were innocent of any wrongdoing. These wicked activities, cause Macbeth to become very paranoid which diverts his attention and focus from important work and cause him to have hallucination of Banquo’s dead body and have emotional breakdowns about the mentally devastated state he now lives in. Once Macbeth’s mind becomes completely corroded, he is stripped of emotions which only accelerates his defeat as he fails to make decisions such as fleeing his castle even though the odds were against him. In conclusion, the play Macbeth, demonstrates that all it takes is an evil, powerful outside influence to bring a drastic downfall to a strong, skillful and brave figure such as Macbeth.