Examples Of Sleep Deprivation In Macbeth

Sleep is a naturally recurring state of mind and body, characterized by altered consciousness. The experience of sleep is a relaxing and a comfortable activity and is a vital human need for our mind and bodies to work well. In the play Macbeth, sleep is a very significant aspect of the play which is portrayed by many references to it and occurrences that result in sleep deprivation. In the play Macbeth, sleep deprivation leads to the main character, Macbeth’s tragic downfall. Sleep caused physiological deterioration, physical deterioration, and interpersonal relationships problems.

Firstly, sleep leads to Macbeth’s downfall by causing psychological deterioration like hallucinations and an insomniac state of mind. A hallucination is an experience

Macbeth did not get a sufficient amount of sleep to nourish his brain which comes with many different consequences. In Act 5, the sleepless state of Macbeth makes him a very easy target of the clever witches. The insufficient amount of sleep means that Macbeth’s brain is not rested which prevents him from thinking logically. The witches took an advantage of his tired and confused state and tricked him by playing with words. “Be bloody, bold, and resolute; laugh to scorn. The power of man, doe none of women born shall harm Macbeth” (4.1.80). This quote is a perfect example if the witches taking an advantage of Macbeth’s insomniac state. They play with words and cause Macbeth to believe something that was not true. Macbeth was made believe that no man born from a woman can harm him, but it didn’t apply for a man that was c-sectioned. This trick made with the prophecy cost Macbeth his life when he was slain by Macduff who was

Lady Macbeth is such a vital and influential character in the play and is the primary reason why Macbeth murdered Duncan. To Macbeth, his only immediate family is Lady Macbeth and so to be distanced from Lady Macbeth would be painful for both of them. Since, Lady Macbeth is the only with whom Macbeth can talk to openly about the plans and what each of them are experiencing. For example, Lady Macbeth is shown to be manipulative in through the first part of the play through the following quote said by Macbeth “ I am settled, and bend up / Each corporal agent to this terrible feat. / Away, and mock the time with fairest show. / False face must hide what the false heart doth know. ” (1.7.79-82). This quote explains how before Macbeth was completely against the fact that he should commit murder by killing Duncan to become the new king according to the prophecies predicted by the witch. But with Lady Macbeth encouragement, Macbeth goes ahead and accepts that he needs to kill Duncan now based of the plan his wife made. Another example of the showing the importance of Lady Macbeth to Macbeth can be seen from the following quote which is said by Lady Macbeth. “Sit, worthy friends. My lord is often thus / And hath been from his youth. Pray you, keep seat. / The fit is momentary; upon a thought / He will again be well. If much you note