Macbeth Analysis: Guilt and Manipulation

Macbeth's Inner Turmoil

• Macbeth is troubled by his murderous thoughts, even when he tries to sleep.
• He sees a dagger, but doesn't know if it's real or imagined, symbolizing his guilty conscience.
• Macbeth feels like he is being manipulated by the witches' prophecy.
• He refers to himself as "the instrument" to be used, illustrating his loss of agency.

Lady Macbeth's Guilt and Manipulation

• Lady Macbeth is shown to be more calculating and ruthless than Macbeth.
• She drugged the guards to ensure they would sleep through the murder.
• Lady Macbeth tries to calm Macbeth's anxiety, but her words further reveal her own guilt.
• She takes charge, cleaning up the crime scene and trying to control the situation.

The Murder of Duncan

• The murder of Duncan is described as a "sacrilegious" act, highlighting its moral weight.
• The murder is compared to the stealing of a temple's life, signifying the desecration of power and order.
• The description of Duncan being "laced with golden blood" portrays the gruesome nature of the act.

The Porter's Humorous Interlude

• The Porter's humor acts as a brief break from the tension, with his comedic descriptions of different professions entering hell.
• The Porter's humor hints at the moral decay that follows Macbeth's actions.
• The Porter's drunken ramblings symbolize the chaos and disruption caused by the murder.

The Discovery of the Murder

• Macduff's horrified reaction to the discovery of Duncan's body is vivid and shocking, highlighting the magnitude of the crime.
• Macduff's emotional impact mirrors the audience's, creating a sense of shared shock and horror.
• The description of Duncan's chamber as a "Gorgon's sight" alludes to the ancient Greek myth and reinforces the idea of the murder as monstrous.

Malcolm and Donalbain's Flight

• Malcolm and Donalbain's escape is seen as suspicious and fuels accusations against them.
• They choose to flee to separate countries to protect themselves from danger and accusations.
• Their decision is driven by the realization that the court is too dangerous, as "daggers are in men's smiles."

The "Unnatural" Events

• The dark night, the falcon killed by an owl, and the horses turning wild are symbolic of the disruption in natural order following the murder.
• The natural world seems to be reacting to the crime, reflecting the moral decay caused by evil.
• The Old Man's observations about the "unnatural" signify the consequences of Macbeth's actions.

The Fall of Scotland

• Macbeth is declared King, but his rise to power is tainted by the violence.
• Macbeth's immediate ascent to the throne exposes the fragility of power and the potential for corruption.
• The scene ends with the sense of ominous foreboding for Scotland, as the play sets the stage for a period of turmoil and revenge.