Guilt, Innocence & Paranoia

These flashcards are for the theme of 'Guilt, Innocence & Paranoia'in Macbeth.

How is paranoia portrayed in 'Macbeth' according to the source material?

Paranoia is portrayed as a relentless and inescapable poison that strips Macbeth of his heroic qualities and drives him to further murder.

What metaphor does Macbeth use in Act 3, Scene 1 to describe how his paranoia has corrupted his soul?

He states he has "put rancours in the vessel of my peace," suggesting paranoia and guilt have polluted his soul.

Which quotation from Act 3, Scene 2 uses zoomorphism to represent Macbeth's infinite, stinging paranoia?

"O, full of scorpions is my mind, dear wife!"

What is the primary symbolic function of blood as a motif in 'Macbeth'?

Blood is a primary motif symbolising guilt and death, which the Macbeths cannot escape no matter how they try to wash it away.

How do hallucinations and ghosts function as symbols of guilt in the play?

They are symbols of guilt and death that point to the existence of an Afterlife and the supernatural, representing the characters' tormented consciences.

What is the significance of Lady Macbeth's initial reaction to the blood after Duncan's murder: "A little water clears us of this deed"?

It shows her initial belief that guilt is a physical stain that can be easily washed away, a belief that is later proven tragically wrong.

In Act 2, Scene 2, Macbeth's rhetorical question, "Will all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood / Clean from my hand?" reveals what about his understanding of his guilt?

It reveals his immediate understanding that his guilt is metaphysical and indelible, so vast it would turn the seas red, rather than be washed clean.

What is the significance of Macbeth's reference to the Roman god 'Neptune' rather than the Christian God when speaking of washing the blood from his hands?

His reference to a non-Christian god reflects how, through the sacrilegious act of regicide, he has turned his back on God and Christian morality.

What is the dramatic purpose of Macbeth's hallucination of a blood-soaked dagger in Act 2, Scene 1?

It serves as a premonition of the violence and guilt to come, visually representing his corrupt desires and crumbling mental state before the murder.

Macbeth's question about the dagger, "Is this a dagger which I see before me…?" signifies what about his state of mind?

It shows he can no longer distinguish between reality and imagination, suggesting his guilt has already begun to corrupt his perception.

How does the appearance of Banquo's ghost in Act 3, Scene 4 function as a manifestation of Macbeth's guilt?

The ghost is a physical projection of Macbeth's guilt and paranoia, pointing an accusatory finger and forcing him to confront the reality of his actions.

For a Jacobean audience, what was a likely interpretation of Banquo's ghost, as opposed to a modern psychological one?

A Jacobean audience, being less sceptical about supernatural phenomena, might have viewed the ghost as a real, supernatural entity rather than a purely psychological projection.

What does Lady Macbeth's sleepwalking in Act 5, Scene 1 symbolise?

It symbolises her descent into madness, as her suppressed guilt and conscience manifest while her rational mind is asleep.

In Lady Macbeth's sleepwalking scene, what does her line "Out, damned spot!" reveal about her guilt?

It reveals the profound irony of her earlier confidence, as she is now psychologically unable to wash away the metaphorical bloodstain of guilt from her conscience.

The Doctor's observation of Lady Macbeth, "A great perturbation in nature," suggests what about her condition?

It suggests her mental state is unnatural and she is doomed to perpetually relive the murder, unable to find peace even in sleep.

In 'Macbeth', what does the imagery of light typically symbolise?

Light is a symbol of innocence, enlightenment, holiness, and moral goodness.

What is the symbolic meaning of darkness in 'Macbeth'?

Darkness is consistently associated with evil, deception, murder, and the supernatural.

How does Lady Macbeth's line "Come, thick night, / And pall thee in the dunnest smoke of hell" connect darkness to her guilt?

She actively calls upon darkness to conceal her evil deeds, not only from others and heaven but also from herself, linking darkness directly to the willful concealment of sin.

Why does Lady Macbeth say she would have killed Duncan herself "Had he not resembled / My father as he slept"?

This rare moment of hesitation is the first sign of her underlying humanity and conscience, foreshadowing that her ruthless facade is not strong enough to withstand her eventual guilt.

After killing Duncan, Macbeth believes he has heard a voice cry, "Sleep no more! Macbeth does murder _."

sleep

What is the significance of Macbeth 'murdering sleep'?

Sleep symbolises innocence and peace of mind; by murdering sleep, Macbeth has destroyed his own ability to find rest, condemning himself to a life of paranoia and guilt-ridden vigilance.

How does Lady Macbeth's eventual suicide relate to the theme of guilt?

Her suicide is the ultimate consequence of her guilt, suggesting that the psychological burden of her actions became unbearable and led to her total self-destruction.

Complete this key quote from Lady Macbeth's sleepwalking scene: "Here's the smell of the blood still: all the perfumes of _ will not sweeten this little hand."

Arabia

What does Lady Macbeth's line about the "perfumes of Arabia" signify about her guilt?

It signifies that her guilt is a permanent, sensory stain that no worldly luxury or attempt at purification can mask or remove.

How does the contrast between Macbeth and Banquo's reactions to the Witches' prophecies relate to innocence and guilt?

Banquo remains wary and morally composed, representing a path of innocence, while Macbeth's immediate, fearful reaction reveals a pre-existing ambition that leads him down a path of guilt.

In Act 2, Scene 2, Lady Macbeth says, "My hands are of your color, but I shame / To wear a heart so _."

white

What is the meaning of Lady Macbeth calling Macbeth's heart "white" in Act 2, Scene 2?

She is calling him a coward, using 'white' to symbolise fear and weakness, in stark contrast to the red blood of their guilty hands.

How does Macbeth's guilt transform his character throughout the play?

His initial remorse and fear after killing Duncan devolve into a hardened, nihilistic state where he commits more violence to suppress his paranoia, ultimately losing his humanity.

The character of Macduff represents innocence in what way?

Macduff's loyalty to the rightful king and his genuine, emotional reaction to the murder of his family and king position him as a figure of moral integrity and righteous justice, contrasting Macbeth's guilt.

What is the significance of Macbeth killing Duncan's guards?

It is his first un-plotted murder, driven by a paranoid impulse to cover his tracks, showing how his guilt immediately leads to more violence and deception.

What does Macbeth's inability to say "Amen" after the murder of Duncan signify?

It signifies his spiritual damnation; by committing regicide, he has severed his connection to God and can no longer participate in holy rites, highlighting his profound guilt.

Lady Macbeth's fainting after the discovery of Duncan's body can be interpreted in what two ways regarding her guilt?

It can be seen as a calculated deception to distract from Macbeth's suspicious behaviour, or as a genuine reaction of horror, suggesting her tough exterior is already cracking under the weight of guilt.

In what way can ambition be seen as the root of guilt in 'Macbeth'?

Unchecked 'vaulting ambition' is the fatal flaw that motivates the initial crime of regicide, from which all subsequent guilt, paranoia, and bloodshed stem.

How does Shakespeare use the Porter scene in Act 2, Scene 3 to comment on guilt and damnation?

The Porter imagines he is the gatekeeper of Hell, and the sinners he describes (an equivocator, a greedy farmer) mirror Macbeth's sins, creating a parallel between Macbeth's castle and Hell itself.

Macbeth's guilt-ridden soliloquy in Act 5, Scene 5, where he reflects on life as a "walking shadow…signifying nothing," shows his paranoia has led him to what philosophical state?

It shows his paranoia and guilt have led him to a state of nihilism, where he believes life is meaningless and all his bloody actions have ultimately been for nothing.

In Act 5, Scene 8, Macbeth tells Macduff, "My soul is too much charged / With _ of thine already."

blood

What does Macbeth's reluctance to fight Macduff reveal about his guilt?

It reveals a rare, final flicker of conscience, as he acknowledges the immense guilt he feels specifically for the slaughter of Macduff's innocent family.

Why is the murder of Banquo a significant turning point in Macbeth's paranoia?

It is his first murder committed not just for ambition but out of pure paranoia to secure his position, demonstrating a descent from a guilt-ridden man to a ruthless tyrant.

How does the theme of appearance versus reality connect to guilt?

The Macbeths must constantly adopt a false appearance ('false face must hide what the false heart doth know') to conceal their guilt, showing that guilt necessitates a life of deception.

What does Malcolm and Donaldbain's flight from Scotland reveal about the atmosphere of paranoia after Duncan's murder?

Their flight shows that paranoia immediately infects the entire court, as they rightly fear that "daggers in men's smiles" mean they will be the next targets, highlighting the loss of innocence and trust.