Throughout the play Macbeth has encountered several hallucinations and ghost-like figures that remind him of the murders he has committed. Macbeth's initial hallucination is when he is on the verge of killing King Duncan and he "sees" a dagger in front of him. Macbeth's guilt overtakes his mind as he deals with these hallucinations. Even though Macbeth kills several people and claims he is ready to move on, he can't because of the constant reminder of his actions. It is like he is trapped inside his guilt and remorse and cannot escape. Just as Macbeth kills off a few more characters he feels less and less attached to his guilt and appears to be copping better he encounters the ghost of Banquo at the feast at the end of Act III. Banquo was a dear friend, and initially was an alie to Macbeth until Banquo served as a threat to Macbeth's power. Banquo was an innocent man who meant no harm and Macbeth ordered him to be killed so he could "rest assure" that his throne wouldn't be harmed. This reasoning wasn't enough for Macbeth to feel okay with his actions and once again he is reminded of his wrongdoings as he sees the ghost of Banquo. It is impossible for Macbeth to forget and move on because of these hallucinations that stop him in his tracks continuously remind him of his guilt.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Motif: Hallunicinations/Ghosts
Throughout the play Macbeth has encountered several hallucinations and ghost-like figures that remind him of the murders he has committed. Macbeth's initial hallucination is when he is on the verge of killing King Duncan and he "sees" a dagger in front of him. Macbeth's guilt overtakes his mind as he deals with these hallucinations. Even though Macbeth kills several people and claims he is ready to move on, he can't because of the constant reminder of his actions. It is like he is trapped inside his guilt and remorse and cannot escape. Just as Macbeth kills off a few more characters he feels less and less attached to his guilt and appears to be copping better he encounters the ghost of Banquo at the feast at the end of Act III. Banquo was a dear friend, and initially was an alie to Macbeth until Banquo served as a threat to Macbeth's power. Banquo was an innocent man who meant no harm and Macbeth ordered him to be killed so he could "rest assure" that his throne wouldn't be harmed. This reasoning wasn't enough for Macbeth to feel okay with his actions and once again he is reminded of his wrongdoings as he sees the ghost of Banquo. It is impossible for Macbeth to forget and move on because of these hallucinations that stop him in his tracks continuously remind him of his guilt.
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I agree with Cara because as he kills more and more people he does not feel anything. Until he sees the ghost of Banquo he starts to feel bad about what he has done. After he sees he ghost he starts to feel guilt.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed the line,"he is trapped inside his guilt and remorse and cannot escape." i never looked at it that way i just always assumed it was a mental issue that kicked in during times of stress for Macbeth
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