The Effects of Guilt on the Human Conscience in Macbeth

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away the non-fading bloodstains, symbolic of the irreversible crimes she has committed. Unaware of her actions, Lady Macbeth says “The thane of Fife had a wife, where is she / now? What, will these hands ne’er be clean? No more / o’that, my lord, no more o’that. You mar all with this / starting.”(V, i, 39-42). This shows that Lady Macbeth feels guilty about the deaths of Macduff’s wife and children. Lady Macbeth confesses her feelings of guilt again when she says “Wash your hands, put on your nightgown; / look not so pale: I tell you yet again, Banquo’s buried; / he cannot come out on’s grave”(V, i, 57-59). This is evidence that Lady Macbeth thinks about the crimes she made Macbeth commit as well as evidence that the guilt is overwhelming her conscience, day and night.

After murdering King Duncan, Macbeth makes poor decisions in many attempts to diffuse his feelings of guilt and remorse. Feeling guilty and regretful about Duncan’s murder, Macbeth chooses ...

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