Macbeth

The Mental Deterioration of Macbeth 12th Grade

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is a common psychological condition that is triggered by terrifying events. This disorder compels the inhibitor to have severe anxiety, flashbacks and negative fluctuations in mood. Likewise, in Shakespeare’s Macbeth, there is clear evidence of how guilt, wickedness and atrocity can also cause symptoms similar to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, as negative actions and instinctive weaknesses can cause cerebral degeneration. Macbeth’s innate flaws led to his ultimate mental deterioration.

The troubled mindset and degradation of Macbeth’s conscience, grants him to envision supernatural activities. Shortly before King Duncan’s murder, Macbeth vividly sees a floating dagger with its handle toward him. Macbeth exclaims, “Is this a dagger which I see before me,” as he tries to grab it, “The handle toward my hand? Come, let me clutch thee.” (2.1.33-35) This short soliloquy demonstrates the disordered, and unbalanced mind of Macbeth. It also depicts Macbeth as an unwilling factor of fate, as he is no longer able to help himself in his disturbed state of mind. Another incidence of Macbeth’s hallucination pattern is when he sees the ghost of Banquo....

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