Macbeth Hacked: Sample Essay - Conscience and Guilt

Sample Essay: Guilt and Conscience 

Sample annotated essay I wrote for Macbeth in high-school. Feel free to take ideas from it. If you have any questions, feel free to comment them down below! :)

      Macbeth presents many themes for analysis. Choose one of the following themes - Guilt and Conscience, Ambition, Appearance vs. Reality, Good vs. Evil and Fate and Free Will - and discuss how it developed throughout the play.
Introduction:

 The ability to distinguish right and wrong is a moral trait that is prevalent in our everyday lives. But what happens when this is neglected? Throughout Shakespeare’s tragic play “Macbeth”, guilt and conscience play a vital role in determining the actions and consequences of major characters during the play (thesis). The consequences of the neglect of conscience is shown in rash, irrational actions. This results in regret and remorse throughout the play. This is imminent in Macbeth and can been perceived as his fatal flaw. His lack of conscience and guilt dictates the way he acts and ultimately results in his demise. Lady Macbeth also falls victim to this as her head strong character weakens. Counterintuitively, Banquo does not abuse these qualities-even though his death is also a cause of this (state points). Overall, in the duration of the play, the lack of judgement of what is morally acceptable and remorse and regret are predominant themes which shape the way the play turns out.

(body 1)Macbeth’s character develops significantly as he becomes less reliant on his conscience and more driven by ambition (topic sentence :)). This is evident from the very beginning where he contemplates murdering Duncan. Although he himself decides against it deciding that “We will proceed no further in this business: He hath honour’d me of late” (1.7.33) (use evidence throughout!) . This shows that he knows what is right and wrong. Through contemplating he concludes that murdering the King is morally wrong as he is “his Kinsman and his subject…his host…his virtues Will please like angels, trumpet-tongues…”(1.7.15-20). This asserts (linking words = :) )that Macbeth knows that Duncan is a good man and feels the advantages away the consequences. In stark contrast to this, the guilty feelings after murdering King Duncan shows how his conscience is changing. Blood is used to symbolise guilt throughout the play. Macbeth states “Will all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood Clean from my hand? “(2.2.75), demonstrating how guilt will always plague him. After Banquo’s murder, he sees the ghost of Banquo-essentially another symbol for his guilt. Later in the play, this development becomes predominant as he becomes desensitized and heartless; having no observable conscience and guilt. This is most prevalent before his death:” I have almost forgot the taste of fears” (5.5.10). All in all, the theme of conscience and guilt plays a major influence in Macbeth’s changing attitude and actions. (finish with a concluding sentence which sums up the paragraph)

(body 2)The consequences of this is further evident in the demise of Lady Macbeth. However, in contrast to Macbeth, these traits are evident from the beginning she knows the effect that the consequences of the actions will have on her. She knows that he is not confident or "manly" enough to commit the crimes without persuasion. (start evidence)The statement “come to my woman’s breasts, and take my milk for gall” (1.5.51) indicates that she is too pure to commit this crime. As milk is often used to symbolise innocence and purity. In contrast to this, gall is bitter and alludes to masculinity. This alludes to her knowledge of the immorality of the murder. She herself doesn’t commit it as “had he not resembled my father as he slept, I had done’t.”(2.2.16); this quote highlights how her conscience dictators her actions, however, her ambition manipulates Macbeth into the crime. As the play progresses lady Macbeth becomes consumed by guilt and remorse. This is evident in her episodes of sleep walking. She states that “What, will these hands never be clean? No more o’that my lord, no more o’that” (5.1.40). She seems to lack conscience, saying “A little water clears us of this deed” (2/2/67), but towards the end her conscience drives her mad and she sleepwalks, washing her hands and saying “Out, damned spot!” (5/1/26), alluding to the blood she imagines to see on her hands as a result of her plaguy conscience. Like Macbeth this constant referral to blood represents her ongoing guilt she feels for the events she blames herself for. This reaches a zenith which is evident in her suicide. Overall, Lady Macbeth’s conscience is abated by her ambition for power, the guilt she feels ultimately ruins her original morals.

(body 3)(using conjunction to help paragraphs flow better)Furthermore, Banquo’s character demonstrates how even if you follow your conscience you must be aware of the morals that determine other people’s actions. His ability to do this is evident from the very start. This is evident when he first approaches the witches, stating that “If you can look into the seeds of time and say which grain will grow and which will not, Speak, then, to me, who neither beg nor fear Your favors nor your hate. “ (1.3.61-64), this shows that Banquo is cautious about the supernatural and knows about their danger. It demonstrates how his moral, rational thoughts prevent him from being consumed by enticing ideas. Although he is hopeful, he also experiences doubts.

(conclusion) In culmination, throughout the play the effects of conscience and guilt on actions become imminent. (run through the points you have said) Through Macbeth’s actions, the consequences of the lack of moral judgement and guilt become clear. Lady Macbeth demonstrates how guilt can overwhelm and result in demise. In contrast to this, Banquo’s death is tragic and uncalled for. He followed his conscience however, let this override his rational thoughts. In a way, this alludes to society today and shows how a balance needs to be found in order to live life without remorse and regret. (try end it by stating consequences- finish strong!)

Thank you for reading!