By Rachel Cronan, Chrissie k and Jen Moro
Define Guilt

 Guilt is an emotion that occurs when a person believes that they have violated
a moral standard.
 an emotional experience that occurs when a person realises or believes—
accurately or not—that he or she has violated a moral standard, and bears
significant responsibility for that violation.
 a feeling of responsibility or remorse for some offense, crime, wrong, etc.,
whether real or imagined.
Overview of guilt in the play

Guilt is an important factor in the lives of Macbeth and Lady
Macbeth in the play. Both of them are affected differently by this
emotion. Guilt made Macbeth in the end go mad. He imagined
things that weren’t there and suffered from sleep deprivation due
to the nightmares he had of the murders he had committed. Guilt
caused Lady Macbeth to get into unusual sleeping habits such as
sleep walking and sleep talking (she spoke about the murders that
were committed.) By the end of the play both characters die. Lady
Macbeth commits suicide not being able to handle the guilt
anymore and Macbeth gets killed due to his madness which was
provoked by guilt.
Act 1 – Scene 7

-Before Macbeth has even committed the crime of murdering king Duncan he is
already starting to feel the guilt and is considering backing out of the murder.
-Macbeth in this scene has just left the banquet due to his guilty thoughts about
murdering king Duncan. He then expresses his deepest thoughts about the crime he
is soon to commit. He realises what a humble and free of corruption leader, Duncan
has been, which makes Macbeth feel even more guilty about the plan. Macbeth also
believes that as Duncan’s kinsman and host, it is his duty to protect the king rather
than to murder him.
Quote: Macbeth:“First, as I am his kinsman and his subject, Strong both against the
deed; then, as his host, Who should against his murderer shut the door, Not bear
the knife myself.”
Act 2

-Lady Macbeth in the previous scene successfully convinced Macbeth to continue on with
the murder of king Duncan...
-Macbeth in this scene follows through with the murder of King Duncan, however on his
way to murder Duncan, Macbeth begins to see illusions of a non-existent, blood stained
dagger before him. The reasons for Macbeths illusions is the guilt he is feeling for the
murder he is soon to commit.
-Macbeth begins hearing things as soon as the murder is completed. He cannot even pray
because he is so guilt-ridden over his crime.
-As Macbeth returns to Lady Macbeth, she is shocked to see that he has failed to leave the
dagger behind with Duncan’s body. Macbeth refuses to go back to the body as he cannot
bare to see it again due to his guilty conscience.
Quote: Macbeth:“I’ll go no more: I am afraid to think what I have done; Look on ’t again I
dare not.”
Act 3

-Lady Macbeth in this act feels that Macbeth is thinking too much about his guilt
rather than enjoying his royalty as he should be. Macbeth then tells her about the
nightmares he has been having and that he suffers from sleep deprivation.
-Macbeth sets two hit man on the task to kill Banquo. The hit man succeed. Later on
at the banquet table, Macbeth sees Banquo’s ghost which 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 makes people suspicious of the
new king.
-After Macbeth's breakdown in front of the thanes, Lady Macbeth tells him to go to
sleep. Macbeth hasn't been sleeping well because he feels so guilty.
Quote: Lady Macbeth: “You lack the season of all natures, sleep”
Act 5

-Lady Macbeth’s guilt is finally getting to her. She begins to sleepwalk and talks
about the murders that have been committed. Also in her sleep, she imagines
herself washing blood off her hands. This routine and her sleep talking are
manifestations and proof of her guilt.
-Malcolm and the thanes have heard that Macbeth is going mad, and they assume
that his madness is a result of the guilt for his crimes.
-Lady Macbeth has committed suicide, and her guilt is believed to be the cause of
her death. Her conscience got the better of her in the end.
-Macbeth goes mad and begins to fight with Malcolm. Rather than surrender to
Malcolm, Macbeth continues to fight and is soon killed by Macduff.
Quote: Macbeth “I will not yield, to kiss the ground before young Malcolm’s feet,
and to be baited with the rabble’s curse.”
What is universal about guilt?
How do we use it in our lives?

Even though people today don’t like to admit we have
all done things in our life that has made us feel guilt,
and people can relate to the story because it shows
what can happen to you if you do wrong. Guilt is an
overpowering emotion depending on what extent the
emotion goes to. It can play with a sane persons mind
and make them go mad.
Why is it a classic? Why do
we still study it?

He re-created and re-defined English writing forever.
People today still study Shakespeare because he was an
incredible writer and people can relate to the hidden
morals and messages he has in his stories. With his
style of writing he was well ahead of his time because
he put a creative spin on his writing and wasn’t afraid
of writing such tragic stories.
Language Techniques

 Metaphor
 Alliteration
 Imagery