Examples Of Foreshadowing In Macbeth

Macbeth Foreshadowing

Sleep is necessary in both healing from injuries and regaining energy. However, many factors can keep someone from not being able to sleep, despite the need. Discomfort, excitement, and guilt are common reasons why people find themselves unable to sleep. In the Tragedy of Macbeth, many characters suffer from sleeping problems. Macbeth suffers from guilt and possibly paranoia, while Banquo experiences sleep deprivation from “the cursed thoughts that nature/ Gives way to in repose” (Macbeth 2.1.8-9). Since Macbeth killed King Duncan, commissioned the murder of his friend Banquo and Banquo’s son Fleance, and sent murderers after the wife and children of his enemy Macduff. This is important since it shows the reader the crimes …show more content…
Also, he and his wife make it appear that the guards the king had with him committed the murder. The guards were sleeping as a result of the fact that Lady Macbeth drugged them. Thus paranoia and fear could have been an added factor to Macbeth’s lack of sleep, since he saw how easy it was to kill the previous king.
“There's one did laugh in's sleep, and one cried
'Murder!'
That they did wake each other: I stood and heard them:
But they did say their prayers, and address'd them
Again to sleep.” (Macbeth 2.2.23-27).
This shows that other characters can go to sleep, while Macbeth stays awake and has to deal with the consequences of his actions. Also, the “’Murder!’,” part shows that other characters will know that Macbeth killed King Duncan. A little later, Macbeth says he heard someone say “Sleep no more!/ Macbeth does murder sleep’, the innocent sleep,” which could indicate that Macbeth has lost his ability to sleep without being plagued by nightmares of his guilt and ambition. This is not the type of fate many people will want consigned to them. Macbeth also finds that when he hears the two guards pray before falling back asleep, he cannot say “Amen” (Macbeth 2.2.29) with them, which was the custom, therefore meaning that he is not under God’s protection. This indicates that Macbeth has committed sins that he cannot be forgiven for, namely treason and murder. Thus, Macbeth will continue to lose sleep over the fact that he killed King Duncan and that other characters seem to know what happens without seeing the actions or the results of the

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