Sunday 29 November 2015

Does Macbeth have hallucinations of daggers?

In Act 2, Scene 1, Macbeth sees a hallucination in the form of a dagger.


He sees the imaginary dagger right after his conversation with Banquo. In speaking to the dagger, he questions whether the dagger is real or a figment of his imagination. He tries to ask the dagger to come closer so that he can clasp its handle. Clearly, Macbeth is in a state of delusion.


He confesses to the dagger that it...

In Act 2, Scene 1, Macbeth sees a hallucination in the form of a dagger.


He sees the imaginary dagger right after his conversation with Banquo. In speaking to the dagger, he questions whether the dagger is real or a figment of his imagination. He tries to ask the dagger to come closer so that he can clasp its handle. Clearly, Macbeth is in a state of delusion.


He confesses to the dagger that it is already leading him in the way he plans to go. Furthermore, he tells the dagger that he sees some blood on its handle and blade that wasn't there before. At this point, he tells himself that he is seeing an imaginary dagger and that his eyes are playing tricks on him. We think he is recovering his lucidity until his next statement.


Macbeth claims that one half of the world is asleep and is plagued by evil dreams. Meanwhile, witches are supposedly offering sacrifices to Hecate and 'withered murder' is walking towards an evil destination. Macbeth begs the ground not to sound off his footsteps, for he would rather go towards his evil mission quietly. Additionally, he thinks that he had better stop talking or it will cool his desire to kill Duncan. As he hears the bell, he imagines that it is calling him to his murderous task. Before he leaves, he voices the hope that Duncan will not hear the bell that will either summon him to heaven or to hell.

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