Theme Of Guilt In Macbeth
In act three scene two of Shakespeare’s Macbeth, both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth try to protect each other from feeling guilt. To do this, they hide their true feelings and intentions from the each other. Soon after Macbeth kills Duncan, Lady Macbeth realizes, “‘Tis safer to be that which we destroy/ than by destruction dwell in doubtful joy” (III.2.8-9), meaning she would rather be dead then bear the blame for Duncan’s murder. However, she notices that Macbeth is also depressed, “keeping alone, of sorriest fancies [his] companions making” (III.2.11). Thus, she hides her guilt and advises Macbeth to forget the past, saying, “[W]hat’s done is done” (III.2.14). Lady Macbeth tries to comfort Macbeth, when indeed she feels the same “doubtful joy”.