Question

Why does Shakespeare use the imagery of sleep or sleeplessness in Macbeth?

Answer 1

Throughout the play it used to show guilt, and jealousy.

Answer 2

Firstly, sleep imagery is used in act 2, scene 2, lines 44-46. “Still it cried, ‘Sleep no more’ to all the house; Glamis hath murdered sleep’, and therefore Cawdor shall sleep no more: Macbeth shall sleep no more.” This quote shows that Macbeth is feeling really guilty about killing Duncan because he is hearing voices saying that the guilty don’t sleep, and the voice is also saying Macbeth isn’t going to sleep. Secondly, sleep imagery is used in act 3, scene 2, line 23. “After life’s fitful fever, he sleeps well; Treason has done his worst; nor steel nor poison, Malice domestic, foreign levy, nothing Can touch him further”. This quote shows that Macbeth is jealous that Duncan can sleep now, unlike himself who is having trouble sleeping. Thirdly, it is used in act 3, scene 2, line 42. “The shard-born beetle with his drowsy hums Hath rung night’s yawning peal, there shall be done A deed of dreadful note.” This quote shows that Macbeth is having trouble sleeping, he refers to a beetle that brings yawning people to sleep, but he is connecting it to a dreadful note, because it is not working. In my opinion, he can’t sleep because of the guilt he has about killing Duncan.