Schizophrenia in Macbeth

While the diagnosis of mental conditions is considered a modern practice, people throughout history have suffered similar mental illnesses but have gone undocumented or unstudied. But even without scientific or psychological records, mental illness can clearly be derived from historical figures and works of art. As early as the 1600s, characters in literary pieces are known to depict characteristics of modern mental labels. During this time period, mental illnesses were generally credited to witchcraft or demonic possession. Though the explanations seem farfetched, the symptoms of what are now seen as neurological disruptions remain the same. In William Shakespeare’s seventeenth century play Macbeth, several characters portray indications of what could be the modern diagnosis schizophrenia.

Schizophrenia is mental disorder that inhibits the abilities “to think clearly, to distinguish reality from fantasy, to manage emotions, make decisions, and relate to others” (Duckworth). One defining symptom of schizophrenia lies in recurring delusions of grandeur. The afflicted patient’s “beliefs are not based in reality and usually involve misinterpretation of perception or experience” (Mayo Clinic Staff). It could be argued that Macbeth suffers from delusions that he rightful king of Scotland. Unlike Banquo, Macbeth, in his fantasy-like state, takes the witches prophecy too strongly to heart and thus acts upon it. Additionally, when the witches foretell that “none of woman born/ Shall harm Macbeth” (4.1. 91-92), Macbeth succumbs to an unrealistic delusion of invincibility, which inevitably proves to be fatal. As with Macbeth, Lady Macbeth also appears to suffer these delusions with her husband as king of Scotland. She is the ...

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...is. Macbeth struggles to grapple with reality through the hallucinations he experiences and the paranoia that results in a plethora of murders. The prospect of kinghood throws him over the edge and he takes with him his wife Lady Macbeth. Lady Macbeth similarly witnesses sensory apparitions and becomes overanxious to the point of suicide. The two slip into an alter reality in which paranoia and delusions overcome practical judgment. Had this murderous couple existed today, their actions of delusion would certainly classify them as diagnosed schizophrenics.

Works Cited

Duckworth M.D., Ken. “Schizophrenia.” NAMI.org. National Alliance on Mental Illness, Feb. 2007. Web. 28 March 2010.

Mayo Clinic Staff. “Schizophrenia.” MayoClinic.com. Mayo Clinic, Jan 2010. Web. 25 March 2010.

Shakespeare, William. Macbeth. New York: Washington Square Press, 1992. Print.