What Was The Cause Of Mental Illness In Macbeth's

In William Shakespeare’s drama, Macbeth, Macbeth is a soldier who comes in favor of King Duncan while in battle. Lady Macbeth, his wife, finds that he has been placed in line for the throne and begins to arrange the way to get her husband crowned as quickly as possible. However, as the story unfolds, it becomes obvious that her husband may not be fit for the throne because of another underlying cause. Macbeth suffers from a disorder which slowly progresses. Macbeth’s mental disorder causes him to go from being a soldier in battle, talking to witches, becoming a Thane of Glamis and Thane of Cawdor, committing multiple murders, become a king, and destroying his reputation which finally ends in his untimely death. If Macbeth were alive today, he would be diagnosed with schizophrenia because he suffers from psychological problems, behavioral and cognitive issues, as well as mood swings and speech impediments.

After gathering, everyone is asked to sit at the royal table, but Macbeth says that he cannot, “The table’s full” (III.IV.55). In this, scene, Macbeth sees Banquo’s ghost at the table taking the chair reserved for the king. All of Macbeth’s Lords and Attendants can tell that he is not well. Not much longer after, in Act 4 Scene I at the cavern, the witches make him see apparitions of an armed head, a bloody child, and a child crowned. Macbeth reacts to these apparitions by dismissing them and staying adamant about his questions he has asked the witches. “Emotions and irrational behavior play an important role in both instances. A cautious and balanced approach would seem necessary and appropriate.” (Roten Basics on Apparitions). This proves another key moment in Macbeth’s realization of having