Skip to main content

What is the significance of sleep in Macbeth?

Sleep and sleeplessness in Macbeth represent peace of mind and the lack of it. As Macbeth spirals further into a cycle of guilt, he finds that sleep no longer comes easily to him; at the same time, he is keenly aware that perhaps sleep, which "knits up the ravell'd sleeve of care," is exactly what he needs to try to calm his nerves. Macbeth "does murder sleep" in the sense that he has destroyed his...

Sleep and sleeplessness in Macbeth represent peace of mind and the lack of it. As Macbeth spirals further into a cycle of guilt, he finds that sleep no longer comes easily to him; at the same time, he is keenly aware that perhaps sleep, which "knits up the ravell'd sleeve of care," is exactly what he needs to try to calm his nerves. Macbeth "does murder sleep" in the sense that he has destroyed his own chances of resting easily forever, but this line also recalls the fact that he has also--with the help of Lady Macbeth--murdered Duncan, the king, as he slept. Duncan, the peacefully sleeping king, represented the rightful state of a king, of sound conscience and able to sleep deeply: in colluding in the murder of a sleeping king, the Macbeths have not only killed a man in no fit state to resist, but have also symbolically destroyed the country's potential stability, as embodied by its peaceful king. Following Duncan's murder, there is no question but that civil war must follow. 


Hallucinations also play a significant part in Macbeth, never more indicative of a disturbed state of mind than when coupled with sleep. While Macbeth cannot sleep, in Act 5, Scene 1, we see Lady Macbeth in arguably a worse state--even though she is asleep, sleepwalking and hallucinations mean that sleep can no longer perform its function of soothing the mind. The Doctor notes that it is "a great perturbation in nature, to receive at once the benefit of sleep, and do the effects of watching." In fact, the viewer can see that Lady Macbeth is not receiving the benefit of sleep, as she performs fretful tasks such as the writing and sealing of letters, and rubs at her hands as if to wash out the stain of having murdered the king. After having observed Lady Macbeth bemoan the fact that "these hands will ne'er be clean," the doctor then says that "unnatural deeds do breed unnatural troubles/Infected minds to deaf pillows will discharge their secrets." This again connects sleep, and disturbed sleep, to a disturbed mind, and indicates that the worst possible state is for sleep itself to be disturbed as guilt rises to the surface through the "infected" subconscious. 

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

What are some external and internal conflicts that Montag has in Fahrenheit 451?

 Montag, the protagonist of Fahrenheit 451, faces both external and internal conflicts throughout the novel. Some examples of these conflicts are: External Conflicts: Conflict with the society: Montag lives in a society that prohibits books and critical thinking. He faces opposition from the government and the people who enforce this law. Montag struggles to come to terms with the fact that his society is based on censorship and control. Conflict with his wife: Montag's wife, Mildred, is completely absorbed in the shallow and meaningless entertainment provided by the government. Montag's growing dissatisfaction with his marriage adds to his external conflict. Conflict with the fire captain: Montag's superior, Captain Beatty, is the personification of the oppressive regime that Montag is fighting against. Montag's struggle against Beatty represents his external conflict with the government. Internal Conflicts: Conflict with his own beliefs: Montag, at the beginning of th...
Post a Comment
Read more

In A People's History of the United States, why does Howard Zinn feel that Wilson made a flimsy argument for entering World War I?

"War is the health of the state," the radical writer Randolph Bourne said, in the midst of the First World War. Indeed, as the nations of Europe went to war in 1914, the governments flourished, patriotism bloomed, class struggle was stilled, and young men died in frightful numbers on the battlefields-often for a hundred yards of land, a line of trenches. -- Chapter 14, Page 350, A People's History of the United States Howard Zinn outlines his arguments for why World War I was fought in the opening paragraph of Chapter 14 (referenced above). The nationalism that was created by the Great War benefited the elite political and financial leadership of the various countries involved. Socialism, which was gaining momentum in Europe, as was class struggle, took a backseat to mobilizing for war. Zinn believes that World War I was fought for the gain of the industrial capitalists of Europe in a competition for capital and resources. He states that humanity itself was punished by t...
Post a Comment
Read more

Where did Atticus take the light and extension cord in To Kill a Mockingbird?

Atticus brings the light to the courthouse jail so that he can protect Tom Robinson.  Atticus learns that Tom Robinson, his client, is in danger.  A group of white men want to prevent the trial and lynch Robinson. He is warned by a small group of men that appear at his house.  He refuses to back down.  Atticus knows that the Cunninghams will target his client, so he plans to sit up all night with... Atticus brings the light to the courthouse jail so that he can protect Tom Robinson.  Atticus learns that Tom Robinson, his client, is in danger.  A group of white men want to prevent the trial and lynch Robinson. He is warned by a small group of men that appear at his house.  He refuses to back down.  Atticus knows that the Cunninghams will target his client, so he plans to sit up all night with Jim if that’s what it takes to protect him.  Atticus tells the men that he will make sure his client gets his fair shake at the law.  “Link, that boy might go to the chair, but he’s not going till ...
Post a Comment
Read more