Macbeth and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is a typical psychological situation that is triggered by terrifying events. This disorder compels the inhibitor to have serious anxiety, flashbacks and negative fluctuations in mood. Likewise, in Shakespeare’s Macbeth, there is clear evidence of how guilt, wickedness and atrocity can also trigger symptoms equivalent to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, as unfavorable actions and instinctive weaknesses can result in 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 ahead of King Duncan’s murder, Macbeth vividly sees a floating dagger with its manage toward him. Macbeth exclaims, “Is this a dagger which I see just before me,” as he tries to grab it, “The handle toward my hand? Come, let me clutch thee.” (2.1.33-35) This quick soliloquy demonstrates the disordered, and unbalanced mind of Macbeth. It also depicts Macbeth as an unwilling issue of fate, as he is no longer capable to help himself in his disturbed state of mind. Another incidence of Macbeth’s hallucination pattern is when he sees the ghost of Banquo. Frightened in the sight of the ghost, Macbeth fearfully shouts, “Prithee, see there! Behold! Look! Lo! How say you? Why, what care I? If thou canst nod, speak as well. If charnel homes and our graves have to send those that we bury back, our monuments shall be the maws of kites.” (3.4.72-76) This justifies the agony and torment that Macbeth is exhibiting in his thoughts. The ghost of Banquo is essentially a symbol of accusation and guilt, as Banquo was murdered under Macbeth’s order. Nonetheless, in this scene Macbeth is the only person who can see the ghost, which is yet another instance of his mental breakdown as he is experiencing supernatural hallucinations. To sum up the noted notion, it is conspicuous that Macbeth’s unmistakable weaknesses are consuming his perception and conclusively top to his mental degeneration, and in continuation enabling his ego and ambition to grow.            

As Macbeth’s conscience decreases, his ambition and motivation escalates. Soon soon after acquiring away with the murder of King Duncan, and getting crowned Scotland’s new King, his ambition and murderous rampage begins after once more. This can be seen as Macbeth expeditiously orders for Banquo’s murder. “It is concluded. Banquo, thy soul’s flight, if it find heaven, have to find it out tonight.” (3.1.146-147) This gruesome statement illustrates the preferred motivation for the death of Banquo and his son, Fleance. Macbeth is scared of Banquo, as he knows that Banquo’s youngsters are heirs to the throne of Scotland. Furthermore, Banquo was present when the witches proclaimed their prophecies, therefore which means Banquo usually remains suspicious about Macbeth. As a outcome of these actions, Macbeth sees Banquo as a threat to himself and the future regime of Scotland. Similarly, an additional persistent example of ambition is when Macbeth is preparing for the murder of King Duncan. “Shall blow the horrid deed in each eye, that tears shall drown the wind. I have no spur, to prick the sides of my intent,” Macbeth exclaims as he is developing his self-assurance, “but only vaulting ambition, which o’erleaps itself, and falls on th’ other.” (1.7.25-29) Macbeth is a coward, and continually contemplates his actions. In this instance, he states that the only point motivating him is ambition, and the gains of accomplishment. Likewise, ambition is seen as an critical aspect of human psychology. According to Abraham Maslow, a PhD in psychology, “the most fundamental requirements have to be happy just before successively greater needs can emerge”. This theory is clearly demonstrated as Macbeth slays King Duncan, in order to turn out to be King, then proceeds to kill anyone else that is a threat. Lastly, it is indisputable that Macbeth gains self-assurance and ambition. Nonetheless, his ambition causes continuous unfavorable psychological deterioration. In correlation, due to his cerebral dysfunction, he starts to drop faith in mankind.            

As Macbeth loses his compassionate traits, and diminished mentally he also loses his trust in humanity. The most discernible instance of Macbeth’s receding assurance in society is the murder of King Duncan. Nicely recognized as a prosperous man and totally free of corruption, King Duncan is noticed as a excellent leader to Scotland. Macbeth himself indeed states, “Besides, this Duncan hath borne his faculties so meek, hath been so clear in his wonderful workplace.” (1.7.17-19) Macbeth greatly exclaims his enjoy for Duncan, and applauds him as a generous King, who does not abuse his powers. He recognizes that Duncan does not deserve to die, but it is needed for his ambition in order to turn into King. This clear exposition, establishes the truth that Macbeth recognizes his wrongful actions, even so due to the fact that he no longer holds trust in humanity, he is unconcerned about his immoral behavior. Yet another undeniable pattern, of Macbeth’s disoriented faith in humanity is when he initiates the fact that there is no meaning to life. “Life’s but a walking shadow,” Macbeth acknowledges wistfully, “a poor player that struts and frets his hour upon the stage and then is heard no much more.” (five.5.24-26) In this grievous reference, Macbeth inevitably professes that life is absolutely nothing a lot more than an illusion. His words are devoid of any emotion and meaning. It is perceptible that Macbeth ultimately recognizes the futile life he has attained, and his loss in humankind. In addition, this mindset corresponds with PhD in social philosophy, B.F Skinner who designed the theory with regards to cost-free will and unfavorable consequences. He stated, “An individual’s personality is developed by means of external stimuli.” This demonstrates the clear analogy in between Macbeth’s exposures with extraneous activities, and how his character was in a position to change and adapt to such negative aspects. Conclusively, it is visible that Macbeth’s actions lead to his dismay in humanity, and moreover his apathetic behavior toward Lady Macbeth.            

Macbeth’s mental breakdown causes the isolation in between himself and Lady Macbeth. Right after the bloodshed of King Duncan, Macbeth no longer seeks encouragement from Lady Macbeth, and they develop apart. With each and every murder, Lady Macbeth grows insane and drowns in guilt, even though Macbeth’s ego grows to an indefinite finish. As Macbeth is conversing with the medical doctor about his troubled wife, he tells the physician, “Cure her of that. Canst thou not minister to a mind diseased,” as he is preparing his armor and suiting up for battle, “pluck from the memory a rooted sorrow, raze out the written troubles of the brain and with some sweet oblivious antidote cleanse the stuffed bosom of that perilous stuff which weighs upon the heart?” (five.3.41-47) In this peculiar discussion, Macbeth pays no focus to what the medical professional is disclosing, and rather he hastily prompts to prescribe drugs to Lady Macbeth to make her forget her mind and erase her heart. Uncaringly, he even commands the doctor to suit up for battle, getting totally oblivious of the reality that his wife is incredibly ill. In the identical manner, when Lady Macbeth is announced dead, Macbeth shrugs it off saying, “She need to have died hereafter. There would have been a time for such a word. Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow, creeps in this petty pace from day to day to the last syllable of recorded time.” (five.five.17-21) This confession shows just how callous Macbeth has become. He is insensitive to the reality that his personal wife has died, and as an alternative remarks that it is no surprise, her death would have come soon anyways. This is a clear exposition of Macbeth’s degrading state of mind, shows how significantly he has regressed. In summary, it is conspicuous that Macbeth’s mental breakdown has corroded the connection between him and Lady Macbeth and additionally, has led to his delusional mentality.            

Macbeth has grow to be entirely paranoid by the prophesies of the Witches, which has brought on him to become delusional, and mentally ill. The Three Witches stated that no man born from a lady, and no army will ever be in a position to defeat Macbeth. But, they mention that the only way Macbeth will be overthrown is if the forest moves up to the Castle. Throughout the complete play, the witches speak in riddles and paradoxes, which bewilder, and deceive Macbeth. Unworried by the tense atmosphere Macbeth expresses, “Bring me no more reports. Let them fly all. Till Birnam Wood eliminate to Dunsinane. I cannot taint with worry. What’s the boy Malcolm? Was he not born of woman? The spirits that know, all mortal consequences have pronounced me thus: ‘Fear not, Macbeth. No man that is born of lady shall e’er have energy upon thee.'” (five.three.1-eight) This quick monologue shows the confidence and courage Macbeth posses, due to the Witches’ testaments. Macbeth weaknesses led him to be deluded, into believing that he is invincible. The weird sisters continually deceive Macbeth, by letting him jump to conclusions about their visions, which conclusively led to his mental disintegration. Decisively, when the army has reached Macbeth’s castle he bravely recites, “I’ll fight till from my bones,” he shouts, holding his sword bravely, “my flesh be hacked. Give me my armor.” (5.3.33-34) At this point in time, Macbeth is seemingly infatuated with the predicaments of the witches and fully is ignorant to the veracity of the predicament, as he thinks he is untouchable. Even so, Macbeth finds out that the prophecies are spellbound and types of deception, which essentially drive him mad, as he begins to grasp the notion of the weird sisters. Karl L. Kahlbaum, a German psychiatrist stated, “In most paranoid delusions, the individual believes that there is a pattern to random events which is somehow connected him.” This theory of paranoid delusions, relates directly to Macbeth and his mindset, as he believes the witches’ tributes tie directly to him, and consequently must be correct. Finally, it is apparent that Macbeth’s delusional and paranoid conscience mislead him into psychological decline.            

In conclusion, Macbeth’s inherent weaknesses ultimately lead to his destiny and mental depravity. Firstly, his patterns of constant hallucinations and supernatural viewings commence his paranoia to show. Similarly, his ceaseless ambition and selfish motivational approaches caused continuous harm to Macbeth and other folks about him. Thirdly, Macbeth’s diminishing state of thoughts, subsequently caused him to lose faith in humanity and in continuation obliterate his connection with Lady Macbeth. Lastly, Macbeth’s paranoid, and delusional state of thoughts led to his overall mental deterioration and evidently his annihilation.         

Works Cited  

McGirk, Tim. “The Hell Of PTSD.” Time 174.21 (2009): 40. History Reference Center. Web. 29 Nov. 2014.  

“Motivation.” Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6Th Edition (2013): 1. History Reference Center. Net. 29 Nov. 2014.  

“Paranoia.” Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6Th Edition (2013): 1. History Reference Center. Net. 30 Nov. 2014.  

“Personality.” Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6Th Edition (2013): 1. History Reference Center. Internet. 30 Nov. 2014.   Shakespeare, William. The Tragedy of Macbeth. Champaign, Ill.: Project Gutenberg, 1999. Print.