Welcome to BD JOBZ PREPARATION, where we explore key topics in English literature to help students and readers gain a deeper understanding. Today, we dive into one of the most compelling themes in William Shakespeare’s Macbeth—the role of conscience. Conscience plays a critical part in shaping Macbeth’s fate, influencing his decisions and ultimately leading to his downfall. From his initial hesitation before killing King Duncan to his final moments of despair, we see how guilt and morality impact his actions. In this analysis, we will explore how Shakespeare masterfully portrays the struggles of conscience in Macbeth and its consequences.
Read More: Macbeth as a Tragic Hero
Role of Conscience in Macbeth
William Shakespeare’s tragedy Macbeth is a powerful play that explores themes of ambition, fate, and morality. One of the most significant aspects of the play is the role of conscience in Macbeth. Conscience serves as a guiding force, affecting the decisions and actions of various characters, particularly Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. Throughout the play, Shakespeare demonstrates how conscience influences human behavior, leading to guilt, paranoia, and ultimately, downfall.
The Early Conscience of Macbeth
At the beginning of the play, Macbeth is portrayed as a brave and noble soldier. He is loyal to King Duncan and fights valiantly for Scotland. However, when the witches predict that he will become king, his ambition is awakened. Despite his growing desire for power, Macbeth initially struggles with his conscience. In Act 1, Scene 7, he hesitates to kill Duncan, realizing that it is a grievous sin. He acknowledges that Duncan is a good and just king, and murdering him would bring severe consequences.
Macbeth’s conscience is evident when he imagines a dagger before him, leading him towards Duncan’s chamber. This hallucination reflects his internal conflict. He knows that killing Duncan is morally wrong, but his ambition overrides his sense of right and wrong. The role of conscience in Macbeth is crucial at this stage, as it shows the battle between his morality and his thirst for power.
The Effect of Conscience After Duncan’s Murder
Once Macbeth kills Duncan, his conscience begins to haunt him. He is immediately overwhelmed with guilt and fear. He hears voices saying, “Macbeth shall sleep no more”, indicating that his conscience will not let him rest. His hands, covered in blood, symbolize the guilt that he cannot escape. Even after washing his hands, he believes that no amount of water can cleanse him of his crime.
Lady Macbeth, on the other hand, initially suppresses her conscience. She tells Macbeth that “A little water clears us of this deed”, showing that she believes they can move on without guilt. However, as the play progresses, her conscience catches up with her. While Macbeth tries to suppress his guilt through further violence, Lady Macbeth is unable to escape the burden of her actions.
Conscience and the Murders of Banquo and Macduff’s Family
To secure his throne, Macbeth orders the murder of Banquo and his son, Fleance. However, Macbeth’s conscience continues to haunt him. During a banquet, he sees Banquo’s ghost, which is a direct manifestation of his guilt. His reaction to the ghost shows how his conscience is deteriorating his mental stability. The role of conscience in Macbeth is evident as he spirals into paranoia, believing that he must continue killing to maintain his power.
Similarly, Macbeth orders the brutal murder of Macduff’s wife and children. Unlike his earlier hesitation before killing Duncan, Macbeth now acts without conscience. His increasing detachment from morality highlights the destructive power of unchecked ambition. Shakespeare demonstrates how a suppressed conscience can lead to further crimes and eventual self-destruction.
Lady Macbeth’s Struggle with Conscience
While Macbeth tries to silence his conscience through violence, Lady Macbeth’s conscience grows stronger. In the famous sleepwalking scene, she is seen trying to wash imaginary bloodstains from her hands, repeatedly saying, “Out, damned spot! Out, I say!” Her words reveal her deep guilt and regret over Duncan’s murder. She also speaks of Banquo and Macduff’s family, showing that her conscience is troubled by all the crimes committed.
Lady Macbeth’s descent into madness is a result of her conscience overwhelming her. Unlike Macbeth, who hardens himself against guilt, she is unable to cope with the consequences of their actions. Eventually, her conscience leads her to take her own life, proving that guilt and remorse cannot be ignored forever.
Macbeth’s Final Confrontation with His Conscience
As Macbeth faces his downfall, he reflects on his life. By this point, he has become numb to guilt and emotion. When he hears of Lady Macbeth’s death, he coldly remarks, “She should have died hereafter”, indicating that he has lost all feeling. However, in his famous soliloquy (“Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow”), he expresses a deep sense of emptiness, showing that his conscience has not disappeared entirely. He realizes that his ambition has led him to a meaningless existence.
In his final battle with Macduff, Macbeth learns that he is doomed. He initially refuses to surrender but ultimately fights to the death. His confrontation with Macduff can be seen as his last moment of facing his conscience. He recognizes that all his actions have led to this tragic end, and he no longer has anything left to fight for.
Conclusion
The role of conscience in Macbeth is central to the play’s theme of morality and guilt. Macbeth’s initial hesitation, his hallucinations, and his descent into tyranny all show the power of conscience. While he tries to suppress it, his guilt manifests in various ways, leading to his paranoia and downfall. Lady Macbeth, who initially appears to be stronger, ultimately succumbs to her conscience, proving that guilt cannot be ignored.
Shakespeare uses the role of conscience in Macbeth to illustrate the consequences of unchecked ambition and moral corruption. The play serves as a warning about the dangers of ignoring one’s moral compass. No matter how much Macbeth tries to escape his conscience, it follows him until the very end, reminding the audience that guilt and morality play an inevitable role in human life.
Read More: Poetic Justice in Macbeth
The role of conscience in Macbeth serves as a powerful reminder of the consequences of unchecked ambition and moral corruption. Throughout the play, Macbeth’s internal battle with guilt and morality is evident, leading him from hesitation to tyranny, and finally, to his tragic end. Lady Macbeth, too, falls victim to her conscience, proving that guilt cannot be ignored forever. Shakespeare’s portrayal of conscience highlights its inescapable nature, showing that no amount of power can silence it. At BD JOBZ PREPARATION, we aim to provide insightful discussions on literary themes, helping readers appreciate the depth of classic works like Macbeth. Stay connected for more enriching literary analyses!
