The following lines are spoken by Macbeth in The Tragedy of Macbeth, Act II, Scene ii:
Methought I heard a voice cry 'Sleep no more! / Macbeth does murder sleep-the innocent sleep, / Sleep that knits up the raveled
sleave of care, / The death of each da/'s life, sore labor's bath, / Balm of hurt minds, great nature's second course, / Chief nourisher in
life's feast...
In an essay, discuss the meaning of these lines for Macbeth. Why do you think Shakespeare chose to portray Macbeth as so
conscience-stricken by his deed? How would the story be different if Macbeth's actions caused him no moral suffering?