Guilt in Macbeth

Guilt has a large part in manipulating how Macbeth and his wife act after they have committed their crimes. It is their guilt that drives them both mad. Before they have even killed Duncan, Macbeth feels guilty and considers backing out of the murder, but Lady Macbeth won't let him. Once again Macbeth sees that what he is doing is morally wrong, but he doesn't let that stop him. He kills the king despite his reservations.

Macbeth begins hearing things as soon as the murder is completed. Lady Macbeth faints at the news that Duncan is dead. Whether it is a trick on her part to throw the others off the trail, or if she has finally seen the weight of the crime that she and her husband have committed is not mentioned in the text. Either way, this action is either a realization of guilt or a disguise of it.

Lady Macbeth by George Cattermole.

English: Poster of Thos. W. Keene in William Shake...

The sleepwalking Lady Macbeth

Lady Macbeth feels that her husband is thinking too much of his guilt and not enjoying his newfound royalty as he should be. Macbeth sees Banquo's ghost at the banquet table and he has an episode of madness in front of his guests. His guilty conscience is projecting visions of Banquo because he is responsible for the man's murder. Outbursts like these hint at his guilt and make the thanes suspicious of the new king. After Macbeth's breakdown in front of the thanes, Lady Macbeth tells him to get some rest. Macbeth hasn't been sleeping well because he feels so guilty. Lady Macbeth's guilt is finally getting to her, too. She sleepwalks and tries to wash the blood from her hands. This routine and her sleep talking are signs and proof of her guilt. Malcolm and the thanes who have sided with him have heard that Macbeth is...