What Did Macbeth Say After Killing Duncan: The Famous Quote And Its Meaning

In the gripping play *Macbeth*, after the fateful act of murdering Duncan, Macbeth utters a series of chilling lines. “Ha, they pluck out mine eyes” reveals his sudden awareness of the horrific consequences of his actions. The next line, “The multitudinous seas incarnadine, Making the green one red,” paints a vivid picture of his guilt. He imagines the vast oceans turning blood-red, reflecting the weight of his crime. This imagery underscores the overwhelming nature of his guilt, a guilt that threatens to consume him entirely.

Macbeth’s words reveal a man grappling with the enormity of his deed. The phrase “they pluck out mine eyes” conveys a sense of unbearable pain and the desire to escape the horrifying reality he now faces. The blood-red seas symbolize the stain of his actions, a stain that cannot be washed away. He recognizes that his actions have irrevocably changed the world around him, turning it into a nightmarish reflection of his own guilt.

This powerful imagery provides insight into the psychological torment Macbeth experiences after the murder. He’s no longer the ambitious warrior but a man haunted by the weight of his own actions. His words are not mere pronouncements but a raw expression of his internal struggle, a struggle that will ultimately drive his descent into madness. The play, therefore, presents a profound exploration of the human psyche, exposing the dark consequences of ambition and the overwhelming power of guilt.

Macbeth is deeply affected by the murder of Duncan. He feels a mix of emotions, including guilt, remorse, and regret. After leaving Duncan’s chamber, Macbeth is visibly shaken by his actions. He reveals his guilty conscience by looking at his bloody hands and saying, “This is a sorry sight.”

It’s important to remember that Macbeth’s reaction is more than just simple remorse. He’s haunted by the weight of his crime. His words and actions reflect a deep sense of unease. This unease stems from a number of factors. He is dealing with the psychological burden of killing a king, a sacred figure. He’s also wrestling with the consequences of his actions. He knows that he has crossed a line that cannot be undone. The murder has brought chaos and fear to the kingdom, and he’s now struggling to cope with the responsibility of what he has done. He can’t go back, and he’s now forced to live with the consequences of his decision. He also worries that his actions will be revealed, and he’ll be punished for his crime.

Macbeth’s struggle with guilt and remorse is a central theme of the play. It highlights the human capacity for both good and evil, and it demonstrates the devastating impact that a single act of violence can have. Shakespeare uses Macbeth’s reaction to Duncan’s death to explore the complexities of human nature and the destructive power of ambition.

You’re right, it’s a pretty powerful quote from Macbeth, right? He’s struggling with the weight of his deed. Let’s take a closer look:

“Will all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood/ Clean from my hand? No, this my hand will rather/ The multitudinous seas incarnadine.” Macbeth is grappling with the enormity of his actions. He realizes that the blood of Duncan will stain him forever, no matter how hard he tries to wash it away. It’s as if the ocean itself, symbolizing vastness and cleansing, is incapable of erasing the stain of his guilt. He even says that his hand will “incarnadine” (turn red) the entire ocean, highlighting the inescapable nature of his crime.

Macbeth’s realization speaks to the enduring consequences of his act. He’s not just concerned about physical stains; he’s worried about the moral stain that will forever mark his soul. The murder has irrevocably altered his conscience, and he knows he can’t outrun the repercussions. This quote is a powerful example of how Shakespeare paints the psychological turmoil of a character wrestling with guilt and the immense burden of his own actions.

Shakespeare uses this quote to show us the inner workings of Macbeth’s mind after the murder. He is haunted by the image of Duncan’s blood. It represents not just the physical act of killing, but also the moral stain of his sin. Macbeth feels trapped, unable to escape the consequences of his actions. The ocean symbolizes the vastness of his guilt, which he feels is overwhelming and impossible to erase.

After Macbeth kills Duncan, he returns to Lady Macbeth, deeply troubled by his actions. He’s unable to say amen during a prayer, a sign of his guilt and fear.

Lady Macbeth, ever the strong and ambitious one, reassures him. She tells him to “wash this filthy witness from your hand” and to “look like the innocent flower” while “being the serpent under’t” . Her advice is essentially to act like nothing has happened and to suppress his feelings. She wants him to appear innocent and composed, a facade to hide the truth of what he has done.

Lady Macbeth’s advice to Macbeth is a reflection of her own ambitious nature. She’s willing to do whatever it takes to achieve her goals, even if it means sacrificing her conscience. She believes that by appearing innocent, they can avoid any suspicion and secure their place as king and queen.

This advice, however, sets the stage for Macbeth’s downfall. By suppressing his guilt, he only pushes it deeper into his subconscious, where it fester and eventually consumes him.

It’s important to remember that Shakespeare’s play is a tragedy. Macbeth, once a brave and loyal general, is corrupted by ambition and the influence of his wife. His actions have consequences that ripple outward, affecting everyone around him. His guilt, like a poison, spreads throughout the play, leading to chaos and death.

In the midst of killing Duncan, Macbeth hears a voice. It says Sleep no more, / Macbeth does murder sleep. This chilling utterance, which Macbeth believes he hears, is actually a reflection of his own guilty conscience.

The line “Sleep no more” is a powerful symbol of Macbeth’s inability to find peace after committing regicide. It’s as if the very act of killing the king has robbed him of the ability to sleep, to find any respite from his guilt. He is haunted by the knowledge of his crime, and this haunting manifests itself in the form of this voice. Macbeth is now trapped in a cycle of guilt and paranoia, forever tormented by the consequences of his actions. The voice’s declaration that “Macbeth does murder sleep” is a stark reminder of the lasting impact of his crime. He has murdered sleep, not just for himself, but for all those who are now living in fear and uncertainty because of his actions. The act of killing Duncan has disrupted the natural order, and as a result, everyone is condemned to live in a world where sleep is no longer a possibility. The line “Sleep no more” is a chilling reminder that there is no escape from the consequences of our actions. Once the deed is done, it can never be undone. We are forever haunted by the ghosts of our past, and the voice of our conscience will always be there to remind us of the choices we have made.

Macbeth says he killed the guards because he found them covered in King Duncan’s blood. He claims he was overcome with grief and wanted to avenge the king. By claiming he killed the guards, Macbeth is trying to divert suspicion away from himself.

Let’s break this down a bit further. Macbeth is a complex character who is driven by ambition and a desire for power. After the witches’ prophecy that he will become king, Macbeth begins to think about ways to make it happen. When Duncan, the king, arrives at Macbeth’s castle, Macbeth sees an opportunity. He is already feeling conflicted and guilty, as he knows that killing the king is wrong. But the ambition and desire for power are too strong for him to resist.

When Duncan is murdered, Macbeth is quick to act. He knows he must appear innocent and to do this he needs to divert suspicion away from himself. He claims that he found the guards covered in blood and that he killed them in a fit of rage. This explanation is believable to the other characters in the play because Macbeth is known for his loyalty to the king and his strong sense of justice.

In reality, Macbeth knows he is the murderer. But he is trying to convince himself and others that he is not. He is using this act to further his own ambitions and to achieve his goal of becoming king.

After killing Duncan, Macbeth makes a crucial mistake: he forgets to leave the bloody daggers with the guards. This oversight is significant because it suggests a lack of forethought and a growing sense of panic. Macbeth’s actions are impulsive, driven by his ambition and fueled by Lady Macbeth’s persuasive arguments. He’s not prepared for the immediate aftermath of his crime and the consequences that follow.

Macbeth’s reluctance to return to the scene and plant the daggers on the guards highlights his inner turmoil and the weight of his deed. He’s consumed by guilt and fear, unable to confront the reality of his actions. This unwillingness to face the truth of what he’s done is a recurring theme throughout the play, ultimately leading to his downfall. Macbeth’s choice not to return to the crime scene, despite Lady Macbeth’s urging, reveals his growing isolation and the depth of his remorse.

The lack of planning and the subsequent refusal to rectify the situation demonstrate a critical flaw in Macbeth’s character. His ambition blinds him to the consequences of his actions, and his fear prevents him from taking responsibility for them. This lack of foresight and courage ultimately sets in motion a chain of events that leads to his own demise.

Macbeth’s downfall after killing Duncan began with a growing sense of fear and paranoia. After taking the throne, Macbeth became consumed by the need to secure his position. He started to act in ways that were increasingly tyrannical, believing that this was necessary to protect himself.

For example, Macbeth ordered the murder of his close friend Banquo because he was afraid of the witches’ prophecy that Banquo’s descendants would rule. He also attempted to kill Fleance, Banquo’s son, in an effort to eliminate any potential threats to his reign.

This paranoia and tyranny ultimately led to Macbeth’s isolation and downfall. His actions alienated many of his allies and subjects, turning them against him. The weight of his guilt and the fear of consequences gnawed at him, further fueling his paranoia. This spiraling cycle of paranoia and violence created a climate of terror within the kingdom.

Macbeth’s desperation for control manifested in his increasingly brutal actions. He sought to bolster his power by eliminating any potential rivals, regardless of their connection to him. This ultimately pushed him further into isolation and fueled the rebellion that would lead to his downfall. He became a prisoner of his own fear, unable to escape the consequences of his actions.

The tragedy of Macbeth lies not only in the bloodshed he caused but also in the descent of a once noble warrior into a tyrannical and fearful king. He was consumed by ambition and a desperate need for power, ultimately sacrificing his own humanity in the process.

Lady Macbeth tries to calm Macbeth down after Duncan’s murder, telling him to wash his hands. She notices he’s still holding the daggers used in the crime. Macbeth refuses to go back to the scene. Lady Macbeth, frustrated, runs off to put the daggers on the sleeping servants.

Lady Macbeth’s reaction to the murder of Duncan is a complex one. On the surface, she appears calm and collected, even taking charge of the situation and trying to clean up the mess. However, her actions and words reveal a deeper sense of unease and guilt.

Her insistence that Macbeth wash his hands is not just a practical concern; it is a symbolic act meant to cleanse him of the blood he has spilled. This highlights her understanding of the gravity of their crime and the need to cover their tracks. She also shows her willingness to take risks to protect Macbeth, even though she is clearly afraid herself. This is seen in her actions of planting the daggers on the servants.

While Lady Macbeth may appear to be the stronger and more ruthless of the two, her actions reveal a deep sense of anxiety and a struggle to reconcile her ambition with the consequences of her actions. Her quick thinking and willingness to take responsibility for the daggers also highlight her protectiveness of Macbeth. This suggests that she may have been even more involved in the planning of the murder than we initially realize.

Lady Macbeth’s reaction to the murder of Duncan is a reflection of her own complex emotions. Her attempts to maintain control and calm in the face of chaos, show a woman deeply torn between her desire for power and the realization of the horrifying price she has paid to achieve it.

Macbeth returns home after murdering King Duncan, startled by a noise he heard. Lady Macbeth notices he brought the guards’ daggers with him, instead of planting them at the scene of the crime as planned. She urges him to return the daggers, but he refuses, so she goes in his place.

It’s a tense moment in the play. Macbeth’s conscience is already troubling him, and the thought of returning to the crime scene with the daggers is too much for him. The daggers represent the physical evidence of his crime, and he can’t bear to be near them. He’s deeply troubled by what he’s done, and his fear of being discovered is growing. Lady Macbeth, on the other hand, is more practical. She understands the need to cover their tracks and is determined to make sure the murder is pinned on the guards. She doesn’t hesitate to return to the crime scene, even though it’s dangerous. Her actions reveal her ruthlessness and her determination to achieve her goal, no matter the cost.

This scene is a turning point in the play. It shows us the growing power of Macbeth’s guilt and the lengths to which Lady Macbeth will go to protect him. It also sets the stage for the downfall of both characters, as their actions have consequences they cannot escape.

Before Macbeth kills Duncan, he’s caught in a whirlwind of ambition and hesitation. He wants the throne, but he’s not sure he’s willing to do what it takes to get it. He’s more passive than Lady Macbeth, who drives him towards the act of regicide.

You see, Macbeth has been prophesied to become king, but he’s not quite ready to take the plunge. The witches’ predictions have planted the seed of ambition in his mind, but he’s also a man of conscience. He knows that killing Duncan would be a terrible crime, and he’s torn between his desires and his morals.

Lady Macbeth is different. She’s ruthless and ambitious, and she’s not afraid to get her hands dirty. She sees the opportunity to seize power and pushes Macbeth to act. She argues that he should embrace his destiny and take what’s rightfully his. She even accuses him of being weak and unmanly for hesitating.

In the end, Lady Macbeth’s persuasion wins out. She convinces Macbeth to go through with the murder. But this victory comes at a cost. Macbeth, driven by his ambition and influenced by Lady Macbeth’s manipulation, commits a terrible act that will have devastating consequences for him and for Scotland.

Shakespeare presents Lady Macbeth as a complex and fascinating character, especially after the murder of King Duncan. While Macbeth struggles with guilt and paranoia, Lady Macbeth appears to maintain a cool composure and tries to rationalize the act.

However, Shakespeare cleverly uses Lady Macbeth’s strength and stoicism to reveal her inner turmoil. She masks her true feelings with a façade of calm and control. She tells Macbeth, “My hands are of your color, but I shame / To wear a heart so white.” Lady Macbeth’s words suggest that she feels equally responsible for the murder, but she hides her guilt and fear. She later admits, “Wake up Duncan with your knocking! I would not for all the world.” These lines reveal her inner conflict as she struggles to come to terms with the implications of their actions.

After the murder, Lady Macbeth becomes increasingly consumed by guilt. “What’s done cannot be undone,” she says. However, she attempts to suppress her guilt, urging Macbeth to “Look like the innocent flower, / But be the serpent under’t.” This is her way of coping, but it highlights her growing internal struggle. It also reveals that she realizes the consequences of their actions, as she tries to maintain a semblance of normalcy. But the weight of their crime slowly starts to break her.

She begins to suffer from hallucinations and sleepwalking, unable to escape the haunting memories of the murder. “Wash this filthy witness from your hand,” she cries out in her sleep. These lines reveal the depth of her guilt and the psychological toll the murder has taken on her. Shakespeare’s portrayal of Lady Macbeth suggests that even the strongest characters can be broken by the weight of their actions.

The play’s ending shows Lady Macbeth’s unraveling. Her strength crumbles, and she becomes consumed by guilt and madness. This is a powerful illustration of the consequences of ambition, greed, and unchecked power. Shakespeare reveals her true nature—not just a strong, ambitious woman, but one who is capable of both great strength and profound vulnerability.

Macbeth Act 2 Scene 2 The murder of Duncan

Macbeth is actually committing the murder. 6. The doors are open. Lady Macbeth must have unlocked the doors into Duncan’s room. Her words in lines [14, 15] show that she had been in this room after the king had gone to sleep. 5. the surfeited grooms, the drunken Shakespeare Online

How does Macbeth change after Duncan’s murder? – eNotes.com

Quick answer: Before he kills King Duncan, Macbeth is apprehensive about the idea of murder. Immediately after the killing, Macbeth is haunted by intense guilt; eNotes.com

Macbeth – Act 2, scene 2 | Folger Shakespeare Library

Scene 2. Synopsis: Lady Macbeth waits anxiously for Macbeth to return from killing Duncan. When Macbeth enters, he is horrified by what he has done. He has Folger Shakespeare Library

Macbeth – Act 2, scene 3 | Folger Shakespeare Library

Act 2, scene 2 Lady Macbeth waits anxiously for Macbeth to return from killing Duncan. When Macbeth enters, he is horrified by what he has done. He has Folger Shakespeare Library

Macbeth Act 2, scene 2 Summary & Analysis | LitCharts

Lady Macbeth soothes him and tells him to wash his hands, but notices he’s still carrying the daggers he used to kill Duncan. Macbeth refuses to return to the scene of the crime. LitCharts

Macbeth – Act 1, scene 7 | Folger Shakespeare Library

When Macbeth arrives at his castle, he and Lady Macbeth plot to assassinate King Duncan, soon to be their guest, so that Macbeth can become Folger Shakespeare Library

Macbeth Act 2 Scene 2 | Shakespeare Learning Zone

In this scene, Macbeth returns from murdering Duncan, alarmed that he heard a noise. Lady Macbeth dismisses his fears and sees that he has brought the guards’ daggers with him, rather than planting them at the Royal Shakespeare Company | RSC

Macbeth Act 2, Scene 2 Translation | Shakescleare, by LitCharts

Macbeth is killing Duncan right now. The doors to Duncan’s chamber are open, and the snores of the drunk servants make a mockery of their job of guarding him. I drugged LitCharts

Macbeth Act 2: Scenes 3 & 4 Summary & Analysis | SparkNotes

How does Lady Macbeth persuade Macbeth to kill King Duncan? Why does Macbeth kill King Duncan’s two chamberlains? Why do King Duncan’s sons, Malcolm and Donalbain, sparknotes.com