Guilt as the Catalyst for Psychological Deterioration
In Macbeth, guilt is more than mere regret—it is a force that disintegrates the characters’ inner selves. Macbeth’s recurring visions, such as his haunting hallucination of the murdered Banquo, are manifestations of his inner conflict. These phantasms illustrate how guilt disrupts his sense of reality, propelling him further into paranoia and isolation. Similarly, Lady Macbeth’s descent into madness, epitomized by her obsessive hand-washing, unveils a relentless internal battle against conscience. Both characters exemplify the destructive power of remorse: guilt not only marks their moral failings but also erodes their ability to cope with their actions, ultimately leading to their psychological collapse.