The Mental Health of Serial Killer

Another common symptom of schizophrenia is paranoia. Paranoia is a symptom of self-centering interpretation of the subject's judgment where the real intention is hidden. Often times, people who experience insomnia also experience paranoia. Also, paranoid Schizophrenia is more often seen in men than in women. In act 1 scene 7 through line 1 to 7, If it were done when tis done, then twere well. It were done quickly. If the assassination could trammel up the consequence, and catch with his surcease success; that but this blow might be the be-all and the end-all here, but here, upon this bank and shoal of time, we'd jump the life to come(1.7.1-7), Macbeth seemed pretty calm and okay. He contemplated about killing Duncan but he acknowledged that he can not keep the plan of murdering since the King just privileged him and it was the wrong thing to do to the person that everyone admired. Also, he showed that he would rather enjoy the honors and good opinions he got from people than murdering him by telling Lady Macbeth. There was not any signs of paranoia.

However, right after he killed Duncan, which was his first murder, paranoia set in for him. From Act 2 scene 2, we could tell that he was hearing voices because of the fear and guilt he had. Soon after this, his attitude began to change. Act 3 scene 1, Our fears in Banquo stick deep, and in his royalty of nature reigns that which would be feared. Tis much he dares, and to that dauntless temper of his mind. He hath a wisdom that doth guide his valor to act in safety. There is none but he whose being I do fear, and under him my genius is rebuked, as it is said Mark Antony's was by Caesar(3.1.49-58), explains that Macbeth started considering Banquo who was a close friend to him as a competitor, and he thought that Banquo was threatening him. He started feeling that everyone around him will kill him or want revenge for his sins. Eventually, Macbeth decided to murder him by hiring assassins for the murder. Paranoia that Macbeth had kept getting worse as the time went by, and after all, Macbeth began to trust the words of the witches.

When someone is talking about the symptoms of schizophrenia, hallucinations can not be excluded. Hallucinations are the experiences that are not knowable to others. It can be exist in most of senses, but the mild symptom of hallucinations is sway and the most usual hallucination is hearing voices. One may see motion in a peripheral illusion, or may hear faint noises or voices. If one is experiencing hallucinations, one may feel them as real, and vivid, however the fact is that those visions and sounds are actually not real. About 70% of people suffering from schizophrenia deal with hallucinations(Smith, Kathleen). In Macbeth, Macbeth saw many hallucinations which proved that he had schizophrenia. Later Banquo, Fleance and the servant exited the room after a short conversation with Macbeth when Macbeth saw a dagger in the air. He saw this as a clear sign that he was supposed to murder Duncan. Also, Macbeth heard the voices saying Sleep no more! after the murder at night(2.2.35-42). From the act 3 scene 4, Macbeth even saw the ghost of Banquo because of the anxiety he had from hiring someone to murder Banquo, and it led him to have a hard time with hiding his guilt.

Especially in act 4, Macbeth experienced the hallucination of meeting witches. The first apparition he saw was, an armed head and he heard the head saying beware of Macduff(4.1.71). The second apparition was a child covered with blood, and the child said, Be bloody, bold, and resolute. Laugh to scorn the power of man, for none of woman born shall harm Macbeth(4.1.81) to him. The third apparition was a child wearing crown on his head and holding tree in his hand. Macbeth heard, Be lion-mettled, proud, and take no care who chafes, who frets, or where conspireres are. Macbeth shall never be vanquished until Great Birnam Wood to high Dunsinane Hill shall come against him(4.1.94-98) said the third apparition. The last vision he saw in the act 4 was a show that showing eight kings walking across the stage following the lead of Banquo. After all of the visions he saw, Macbeth was very freaked out. He yelled towards the visions, and shoutout go away. He believed the visions were real, and the witches had vanished after the incident he experienced which proves that Macbeth was suffering schizophrenia.

Cite this page