close
test_template

Macbeth’s Character and His Guilt

download print

About this sample

About this sample

close

Words: 733 |

Pages: 2|

4 min read

Published: Jan 12, 2022

Essay grade:
Satisfactory
arrow downward Read Review

Words: 733|Pages: 2|4 min read

Published: Jan 12, 2022

Essay grade:
Satisfactory
arrow downward Read Review

Guilt, or described by Macbeth as “Life’s fitful fever”, is prevalent in all of our lives. In some cases, guilt is perceived as a destructive and consequently pointless emotion, stemmed from the fear of judgment or the burden of insecurity that can lead to paranoia and ultimately, drive one to insanity. But at other times, it is seen as the emerging of one’s moral conscience at the hand of wrongdoing, in which the distressing effects of remorse can reinstate one’s morals and hinder the carrying out of future catastrophic actions. Being a human emotion, guilt undoubtedly will affect people in different ways, for different people will experience and encounter guilt in different ways. However, it does not linger in and out of existence or fluctuate throughout time, so it is fair to say that this was relevant in Shakespeare’s Elizabethan era, as it is substantially addressed in Macbeth and so this text can be considered highly significant in today’s context.

'Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned'?

Macbeth’s character is one that attempts to suppress and deny his feelings of remorse, yet they always resurface and sometimes in the form of visions and hallucinations. In Macbeth’s soliloquy after planning Duncan’s murder, he exclaims “Is this a dagger which I see before me, / ... / A dagger of the mind, a false creation, / Proceeding from the heat-oppressed brain?”. Even before he has committed the murder he is already so consumed in internal conflict, however instead he misinterprets his hallucination as a sign that is goading him to carry out the crime. Furthermore, as he meets Lady Macbeth after the murder, he expresses through a metaphor, “Will all great Neptune's ocean wash this blood / Clean from my hand? No, this my hand will rather / The multitudinous seas in incarnadine” He refers to Duncan’s blood on his hands as a representation of his guilt in respect to the severity of his cruel act, implying that the blood could stain all the world’s oceans red and yet they will still not be cleansed, he will still not be free of his guilty conscience. Instead, his guilt will poison the world around him. However, his constant paranoia and refusal to recognize his remorse eventually turns him delirious, and results in him impetuously causing further calamity.

Lady Macbeth’s character and her experiences of guilt contrasts with those of Macbeth’s, as during the planning and perpetration of Duncan’s murder she is highly adamant on carrying out the execution and is composed afterwards, scolding Macbeth on being weak and reassuring that they can easily be erased of the crime “but I shame / To wear a heart so white / ... / A little water clears us of this deed.” However, as the play unfolds and continues to go downhill while Macbeth goes on his maniacal killing spree, she descends into insanity through constantly obsessing over the murders, accumulating up until a breaking point where she commits suicide. Furthermore, unlike Macbeth’s conscious guilt, hers is subconsciously expressed through dreams and is evidenced by her sleepwalking. Within her dialogue it can be deduced that she is so deeply engulfed in remorse and paranoia. ‘Here's the smell of the blood still: all the / perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little / hand.’ Her futile attempt to rid blood from her hands is a metaphor for the gravity of her crimes and extent of her guilt, also parallel to the scene when Macbeth agonizes over washing away blood. Her remorse being displayed this way suggests that we are unable to escape guilt from wrongdoing, regardless of how feverishly we may try to cleanse ourselves.

Get a custom paper now from our expert writers.

We all in a way have a moral conscience within us, but when we choose to deviate from it, it still manages to materialize, forcing us to obsessively dwell over our actions. And to suppress and deny awareness of this guilt is what makes life a truly fitful fever. Macbeth uses this phrase to express the agony that is the never-ending guilt which will always remain in our consciences so as long as we live. For him and Lady Macbeth, this remorse impeded the glory of their success and satisfaction of reaching their ambitions, eventually instigating their downfall. Different people will always feel guilt in different ways but to experience the emotion, frankly, is inevitable, and for this theme to be addressed in Shakespeare’s play is what makes it still significant to this day. 

Image of Dr. Charlotte Jacobson
This essay was graded by
Dr. Charlotte Jacobson
Essay’s grade:
Satisfactory
What’s grading
minus plus
Expert Review
The essay demonstrates a reasonable understanding of the theme of guilt in Macbeth and its significance in Shakespeare's time and in modern society. However, there are areas for improvement in terms of organization, focus, sentence structure, grammar, and voice.
minus plus
What can be improved
The essay begins with a strong opening sentence that introduces the theme of guilt and its prevalence in human life. However, the subsequent paragraph feels disconnected from the rest of the essay, as it discusses the historical context of Macbeth without linking it back to the theme of guilt. It would be more effective to provide a brief overview of the play's plot and then focus on how guilt affects the main characters. The paragraph discussing Macbeth's character is well-structured, with each sentence building on the previous one to create a clear argument. The use of quotes from the play to support the points made is also effective. However, there are some grammatical errors and awkward phrasing, such as "so consumed in internal conflict" instead of "consumed by internal conflict," and "is goading him to carry out the crime" instead of "goads him to carry out the crime." Additionally, the essay could benefit from more varied sentence structure to improve the flow and readability. The paragraph on Lady Macbeth is also well-organized, with a clear focus on her contrast with Macbeth in terms of how they handle guilt. The use of quotes to support the argument is once again effective. However, there are some minor grammatical errors and awkward phrasing, such as "she descends into insanity through constantly obsessing over the murders" instead of "she descends into insanity by constantly obsessing over the murders." The conclusion effectively summarizes the main points made in the essay and ties them back to the theme of guilt. However, there are some issues with sentence structure and grammar, such as "Different people will always feel guilt in different ways but to experience the emotion, frankly, is inevitable" instead of "Different people will always experience guilt in different ways, but it is inevitable to feel the emotion." Additionally, the use of "frankly" feels unnecessary and out of place in an academic essay. Overall, the essay demonstrates a decent understanding of the theme of guilt in Macbeth and effectively uses quotes to support the arguments made. However, there are areas for improvement in terms of organization, focus, sentence structure, grammar, and voice. The essay could benefit from a clearer and more focused introduction, more varied sentence structure, and closer attention to grammatical errors and awkward phrasing.

Cite this Essay

Macbeth’s Character And His Guilt. (2022, January 12). GradesFixer. Retrieved March 29, 2024, from https://gradesfixer.com/free-essay-examples/macbeths-character-and-his-guilt/
“Macbeth’s Character And His Guilt.” GradesFixer, 12 Jan. 2022, gradesfixer.com/free-essay-examples/macbeths-character-and-his-guilt/
Macbeth’s Character And His Guilt. [online]. Available at: <https://gradesfixer.com/free-essay-examples/macbeths-character-and-his-guilt/> [Accessed 29 Mar. 2024].
Macbeth’s Character And His Guilt [Internet]. GradesFixer. 2022 Jan 12 [cited 2024 Mar 29]. Available from: https://gradesfixer.com/free-essay-examples/macbeths-character-and-his-guilt/
copy
Keep in mind: This sample was shared by another student.
  • 450+ experts on 30 subjects ready to help
  • Custom essay delivered in as few as 3 hours
Write my essay

Still can’t find what you need?

Browse our vast selection of original essay samples, each expertly formatted and styled

close

Where do you want us to send this sample?

    By clicking “Continue”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy.

    close

    Be careful. This essay is not unique

    This essay was donated by a student and is likely to have been used and submitted before

    Download this Sample

    Free samples may contain mistakes and not unique parts

    close

    Sorry, we could not paraphrase this essay. Our professional writers can rewrite it and get you a unique paper.

    close

    Thanks!

    Please check your inbox.

    We can write you a custom essay that will follow your exact instructions and meet the deadlines. Let's fix your grades together!

    clock-banner-side

    Get Your
    Personalized Essay in 3 Hours or Less!

    exit-popup-close
    We can help you get a better grade and deliver your task on time!
    • Instructions Followed To The Letter
    • Deadlines Met At Every Stage
    • Unique And Plagiarism Free
    Order your paper now