Word Study

Sleep in Macbeth

Macbeth : Methought I heard a voice cry 'Sleep no more / Macbeth does murder sleep (Act II scene ii

Translation : I thought I heard a voice cry 'Sleep no more ! Macbeth has murdered sleep

Meaning : Sleep could mean a lot of things , from simple rest to death from innocence to clarity of thought and peace of mind . In this quote sleep means innocence and peace of mind . He said this after he killed Duncan and immediately was bothered by guilt . His killing of Duncan also starts many troubles for

him . His ambition caused him to act , at first against his will . He was , however , already troubled beforehand by the choice of killing Duncan to fulfill his ambition . He says in an earlier scene : nature seems dead , and wicked dreams abuse the curtain 'd sleep (Act II scene I . Although Macbeth can literally sleep , he cannot do so without nightmares from guilt bothering him he says : Ere we will eat our meal in fear , and sleep in the affliction of these terrible dreams that shake us nightly (Act III scene ii

1 . Is there one or two specific characters that use the word more than others

Macbeth has used the word 'sleep ' more often than the other characters at least 15 times throughout the play

2 . Does the meaning of the word shift when spoken by different characters

As already specified , the meaning of the word 'sleep ' means different things in its usage throughout the play . Macbeth used it to refer to death : Duncan is in his grave After life 's fitful fever he sleeps well (Act III scene ii . In contrast to him being troubled , Duncan has died in peace , thus , he sleeps well ' Macduff used the word sleep and compared it with death : shake of this downy sleep , death 's counterfeit , And look on death itself (Act II scene iii . Although the meaning of sleep may have slightly changed , the overall meaning of sleep could be found in the context of peace . The word itself , however , was used in the play to have its literal meaning

3 . What does the word offer in terms of developing a deeper understanding of the play

The word 'sleep ' contributes to the understanding of the playsince it offers a picture of the character 's state of mind , that of which being troubled by guilt

Reference

Shakespeare , W . Macbeth...