QUOTES RELATED TO GUILT
I am in blood
Stepp'd in so far, that, should I wade no more,
Returning were as tedious as go o'er.
--Macbeth, Act III, scene iv
This quote is stated immediately after Macbeth sees the ghost of Banquo who shames Macbeth bringing criminality to Macbeth, pushing him deeper into guilt. Even though there are lots of other guests watching him, Macbeth cannot resist himself from acting crazily, which shows that his criminality cannot be hidden. Macbeth realizes that he had changed so much due to the influence of Lady Macbeth. He had turned himself into a murderer from a brave and courageous man. He cannot believe that he had actually committed such a crime just to become a king. Seemingly, he regrets what he had done and wants to go back in time, but he is already stuck in abashment and guilt and contrition. This quote clearly shows Macbeth's hope to go back in time when he had committed nothing that would go against his conscience, but he already "stepped in so far" that he cannot get away anymore.
Stepp'd in so far, that, should I wade no more,
Returning were as tedious as go o'er.
--Macbeth, Act III, scene iv
This quote is stated immediately after Macbeth sees the ghost of Banquo who shames Macbeth bringing criminality to Macbeth, pushing him deeper into guilt. Even though there are lots of other guests watching him, Macbeth cannot resist himself from acting crazily, which shows that his criminality cannot be hidden. Macbeth realizes that he had changed so much due to the influence of Lady Macbeth. He had turned himself into a murderer from a brave and courageous man. He cannot believe that he had actually committed such a crime just to become a king. Seemingly, he regrets what he had done and wants to go back in time, but he is already stuck in abashment and guilt and contrition. This quote clearly shows Macbeth's hope to go back in time when he had committed nothing that would go against his conscience, but he already "stepped in so far" that he cannot get away anymore.
One cried, 'God bless us!' and 'Amen,' the other, as they had seen me with these hangman's hands. List'ning their fear, I could not say 'Amen,' when they did say 'God bless us'. Methought, I heard a voice cry, 'Sleep no more! Macbeth does murder sleep'.
--Macbeth, Act II, scene II
This quote is spoken by Macbeth after killing King Duncan with the dagger. He feels extreme guilt after committing the crime. The murder that starts with his ambition to become a King ruins Macbeth’s life leading him to the darkness of guilt. The word that Macbeth used to say so easily, Amen, all of the sudden became a word that is impossible to say. I think that Macbeth believes that he will no longer have the protection by the God because he had committed a serious murder. He becomes unable to utter the word Amen or God bless us. The quote, "Macbeth does murder sleep" indirectly infers that Macbeth will agonizedly suffer in great pain originating from the feeling of guilt. Furthermore, insomnia that Macbeth suffers shows how uncomfortable he feels after making such an atrocious decision just to look manly and to fulfill his ambitions. Overall, the quote shows the torments that Macbeth experiences after killing King Duncan and Banquo.
--Macbeth, Act II, scene II
This quote is spoken by Macbeth after killing King Duncan with the dagger. He feels extreme guilt after committing the crime. The murder that starts with his ambition to become a King ruins Macbeth’s life leading him to the darkness of guilt. The word that Macbeth used to say so easily, Amen, all of the sudden became a word that is impossible to say. I think that Macbeth believes that he will no longer have the protection by the God because he had committed a serious murder. He becomes unable to utter the word Amen or God bless us. The quote, "Macbeth does murder sleep" indirectly infers that Macbeth will agonizedly suffer in great pain originating from the feeling of guilt. Furthermore, insomnia that Macbeth suffers shows how uncomfortable he feels after making such an atrocious decision just to look manly and to fulfill his ambitions. Overall, the quote shows the torments that Macbeth experiences after killing King Duncan and Banquo.
"How is’t with me, when every noise appals me? / What hands are here! Ha, they pluck out mine eyes. / Will all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood / Clean from my hand? No, this my hand will rather / The multitudinous seas incarnadine, / Making the green one red. "
--Macbeth, Act II, scene II
· This quote is spoken by Macbeth immediately after he is slapped by Lady Macbeth when he brought the dagger with him after murdering King Duncan. His bloody hands which he no longer recognizes as his own are symbols of his guilt and murder. Neptune is an allusion to the Roman God of the sea. Therefore, the line, "Will all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood," shows that even the great God of the Sea would not be able to wash the blood on Macbeth’s hands. At this point, Macbeth's guilt reaches its zenith, where Macbeth no longer feels guilty. Also, I believe that the colour green mentioned in the quote symbolizes Macbeth being envious of anyone who has power, since the colour green represents ambition. However, his jealousy turns into bloody (red) actions that are now beyond his control. The murder of King Duncan marks the start of Macbeth's insanity due to his extreme ambitions and blindness to his own integrity and conscience.
--Macbeth, Act II, scene II
· This quote is spoken by Macbeth immediately after he is slapped by Lady Macbeth when he brought the dagger with him after murdering King Duncan. His bloody hands which he no longer recognizes as his own are symbols of his guilt and murder. Neptune is an allusion to the Roman God of the sea. Therefore, the line, "Will all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood," shows that even the great God of the Sea would not be able to wash the blood on Macbeth’s hands. At this point, Macbeth's guilt reaches its zenith, where Macbeth no longer feels guilty. Also, I believe that the colour green mentioned in the quote symbolizes Macbeth being envious of anyone who has power, since the colour green represents ambition. However, his jealousy turns into bloody (red) actions that are now beyond his control. The murder of King Duncan marks the start of Macbeth's insanity due to his extreme ambitions and blindness to his own integrity and conscience.
Out, damned spot! out, I say
--Lady Macbeth, Act V, scene i
"Out, damned spot!" is a very famous quote spoke by Lady Macbeth when she is suffering through the extreme confusion and depression. This is a pivot and well known climactic moment of the play that clearly demonstrates Lady Macbeth’s delusion which the audience perceives as guilt. It is plausible that Lady Macbeth does not even know that she is feeling guilty of the acts that she had committed even though the blood on her hands is the obvious sign of crime. Although we, as audiences, are aware of all the characters' feelings and situations, Lady Macbeth seems to have gone insane because she keeps seeing the blood stain that cannot be cleaned. Lady Macbeth's conscience constantly haunts her and also keeps reminding her of all the crimes she had committed. She continuously rubs her hand to get rid of the blood, which will never be washed away. Lady Macbeth’s incessant rubbing of her hands leads to insanity and eventually to suicide.
--Lady Macbeth, Act V, scene i
"Out, damned spot!" is a very famous quote spoke by Lady Macbeth when she is suffering through the extreme confusion and depression. This is a pivot and well known climactic moment of the play that clearly demonstrates Lady Macbeth’s delusion which the audience perceives as guilt. It is plausible that Lady Macbeth does not even know that she is feeling guilty of the acts that she had committed even though the blood on her hands is the obvious sign of crime. Although we, as audiences, are aware of all the characters' feelings and situations, Lady Macbeth seems to have gone insane because she keeps seeing the blood stain that cannot be cleaned. Lady Macbeth's conscience constantly haunts her and also keeps reminding her of all the crimes she had committed. She continuously rubs her hand to get rid of the blood, which will never be washed away. Lady Macbeth’s incessant rubbing of her hands leads to insanity and eventually to suicide.