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Theme Of Paranoia In Macbeth

Decent Essays

The definition of paranoia is a mental condition characterized by delusions of persecution, unwarranted jealousy, or exaggerated self-importance, typically elaborated into an organized system. The tragic play Macbeth, is written by William Shakespeare, and portrays the murders committed by a power hungry warrior. The three witches inform Macbeth that if Duncan dies then he will become King. Lady Macbeth convinces her husband, Macbeth, to kill the king, Duncan, for his throne. This starts out as one killing, but then more become inevitable, and Macbeth begins to feel unbearable guilt for the killings. The deaths of Duncan, Banquo, and Macduff’s family are significant to the tragedy as Macbeth’s mental state progressively declines to a state of paranoia. Lady Macbeth gives Macbeth the first push to kill Duncan, and she wants to be ruthless, feel no remorse so that she and her husband will successfully kill Duncan. She desires to “stop up th’ access and passage to remorse” (Shakespeare 1.5.51) so that she will not feel bad about the murder. She persuades Macbeth to kill Duncan, but he struggles afterward when he does not follow the plan and forgets to put back the daggers he cannot face the evil act he has committed. Lady Macbeth is satisfied after Macbeth is king, but that is not enough for him any longer. Eventually the killings take a toll on Macbeth’s mental state, and the guilt he begins to feel is unbearable. Macbeth kills Duncan and then says “this is a sorry sight”

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