The sleeplessness motif is significant because it shows how the characters in the play deal with their stresses. The play demonstrates that the subconscious can allow evil things to occur. The strong use of insanity as a moving force in the play causes the reader to understand that Macbeth and Lady Macbeth cannot rid themselves of their evil deeds. She cannot sleep because she is trying to remove the spot, which represents guilt. This proves that she has gone crazy as well. In addition, Lady Macbeth sleep walks and hallucinates a spot of blood on her hands in Act V, scene i. This proves that all the sleep in the world could never clear Macbeth of his crime, he is already destroyed. For instance, in Act II, scene iv, Macbeth is at dinner with Lennox, Ross, and other lords. The most significant aspect of this motif, however, is how it is used to demonstrate the insanity of Macbeth and his wife. By using guilt to show sleeplessness, Shakespeare shows that a corrupt crime can only leave the mind unsure and unable to rest. Apparently, Macbeth is aware of his wrongdoing and feels culpable that he is king and alive, but only at the sacrifice of Duncan. Next, Macbeth is afraid to sleep peacefully because he knows that Duncan is in restless ecstasy(Act III, scene ii). Not only does Shakespeare use sleeplessness for foreshadowing he also uses it as a mode of guilt.įor example, in Act II, scene ii, Macbeth thinks he hears a voice say, Sleep no more! Macbeth does murder sleep! This is Macbeth imagining voices, telling him not to sleep because he is feeling immoral and liable for Duncans murder. Shakespeares use of the sleeplessness motif as foreshadowing allows the reader to get a concept of what evil will come in the future. This is their sleeplessness foreshadowing because Duncan was dead, even though the brothers did not know it yet. Furthermore, in Act II, scene ii, while Macbeth was killing Duncan, Malcolm and Donalbain arose in their sleep. While Macbeth is related to concealing, hiding from light and inhuman powers, Banquo is kind, truthful and pure.This is evidence that evil things will occur throughout the play. Banquo, the character foil of Macbeth is unlike his evilness and darkness. In general, the motif of plants and nature is used to juxtapose the unnatural and odd occurrences. There is an allusion to the story of Adam and Eve when they are mislead by the serpent. She is telling him to mask his thoughts and feelings and to pretend to have good intentions. The next significant scene that plants are mentioned is in (1.5.63-64) when Lady Macbeth tells Macbeth, “look like the innocent flower/ But be the serpent under ‘t”.
Motifs in macbeth full#
The motif of plants are later referenced by Duncan in (1.4.28-29) when he is praising Macbeth and Banquo by saying, “I have begun to plant thee, and will labour/ To make thee full of growing.” Duncan’s honour is genuine and he intends each word he is saying thus the plant imagery supports his righteousness. He supports this afterwards by asking “…have we eaten the insane root” (1.3.84).
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It indicates that there is something natural Banquo’s character and especially because he is contradicting the witches by being skeptical and indifferent. It creates a contrast because of the witches’ magic and paranormal activity when he uses plant metaphors such as “the seeds of time” (1.111.58) and “which grains will grow” (1.111.59). Nature is first compared by the Captain in (1.3.35) when he says “As sparrows eagles, or the hare the lion.” Banquo and Macbeth later bring up this motif when they meet the witches. It is almost opposite to the motif of the supernatural because it is organic and not spiritual. Nature imagery in the play “Macbeth” is significant to indicate the environment, animals and growth.