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Photo by Zephyrance Lou
The Guilt Chart
Act 1, Scene 7
Act 2, Scene 1
Act 2, Scene 2
Act 2, Scene 3
Act 3, Scene 2
Act 3, Scene 4
Guilt has a large part in manipulating how Macbeth and his wife act after they have committed their crimes. It is their guilt that drives them both mad. Before they have even killed Duncan, Macbeth feels guilty and considers backing out of the murder, but Lady Macbeth won't let him. In this scene, Lady Macbeth is ultimately responsible for convincing Macbeth to go through with the murder.
Once again Macbeth sees that what he is doing is morally wrong, but he doesn't let that stop him. He kills the king despite his misgivings.
Macbeth begins hearing things as soon as the murder is completed. He cannot even pray because he is so guilt-ridden over his crime.
Lady Macbeth faints at the news that Duncan is dead. Whether it is a trick on her part to throw the others off the trail, or if she has finally seen the weight of the crime that she and her husband have committed is unspecified in the text. Either way, this action is either a realization of guilt or a disguise of it.
Lady Macbeth feels that her husband is thinking too much of his guilt and not enjoying his royalty as he should be. She believes that because they are now king and queen he shouldn't feel guilty for the actions he has taken. Lady Macbeth is trying to forget what she has done and the effects it can cause in the long run.
Macbeth sees Banquo's ghost at the banquet table and it freaks him out. His guilty conscience is projecting visions of Banquo because he is responsible for the man's murder. Outbursts like these hint at his guilt and make the thanes suspicious of the new king. After Macbeth's breakdown in front of the thanes, Lady Macbeth tells him to get some rest. Macbeth hasn't been sleeping well because he feels so guilty.
guilt, responsibility, and conscience