Sleep In Act 2 Symbols

Making Connections!  Find a line or set of lines from Act 1 that mentions sleep or lack of sleep. What is the significance of sleep in these lines?

Symbolism

Definition: Symbol Dictionary.com:  noun 1. something used for or regarded as representing something else; a material object representing something, often something immaterial; emblem, token, or sign.  3. (especially in semiotics) a word, phrase, image, or the like having a complex of associated meanings and perceived as having inherent value separable from that which is symbolized, as being part of that which is symbolized, and as performing its normal function of standing for or representing that which is symbolized: usually conceived as deriving its meaning chiefly from the structure in which it appears, and generally distinguished from a sign. A symbol is an object/person/idea that represents another idea through association or resemblance.

The sunrise has become a symbol of rebirth or new beginning. This is a symbol of resemblance: the sunrise starts a new day and thus can represent the larger idea of new beginnings. Example

Ravens are scavengers, are often seen picking at mangled remains of fallen warriors on battle grounds, they boldly scavenge in garbage dumps, and for slaughter house scraps. Ravens represent the profane, the devil, evil spirits, the trickster and thief, war and destruction, death and doom, the void.

Sleep/Dreams As Symbolism

Sleep: Possible Associations/Resemblance  Death  Innocence  Vulnerability  Laziness/ Indulgence in human needs  Guilt  Youth/ Preservation

Dreams: Possible Associations/Resemblance  Supernatural Prophesy/ Foreshadowing Future events  Possession by gods or demons  Psychological  Mirrored repressed waking thoughts and concerns of the dreamer  Anxiety/Guilt  Alternate Reality  Drug Induced

Symbolism:  It is after midnight in Inverness. Banquo talks with his son Fleance and notices the stars aren't shining.  Banquo is also struggling against ambition. His thoughts of the meeting with the witches keep him awake past midnight although he wishes to sleep and repress the “cursed thoughts”. Earlier Macbeth begged the stars to hide (1.4.51). They have. Quote: “Banquo: …A heavy summons lies like lead upon me,/ and yet I would not sleep. Merciful powers,/ Restrain in me the cursed thoughts that nature/ gives way to in repose.”

Symbolism:  Macbeth enters. Banquo tells Macbeth his sleep has been troubled by dreams of the weird sisters. Macbeth claims never to think about them. But he suggests they talk about the witches soon.  Banquo is open about the troubling "dreams" the witches have inspired in him. Macbeth, who has decided to act on his own selfish ambition, is not. Shows Macbeth’s guilty conscious, against Banquo’s clear and honest conscious. Although Banquo also began to have “cursed thoughts” he remained honorable and kept his morals despite his ambition. Quote: “Banquo: I dreamt last night of the three Weirs Sisters./To you they have showed some truth. Macbeth: I think not of them./ Yet, when can we entreat an hour to serve, We would spend it in some words upon that business,/ if you would grant the time.”

Think-Pair-Share  Individually read the following lines.  Think, and write in your journals, how sleep used as a symbol in these lines.  Pair up with a partner and discuss your interpretations.  Share your opinions with the class!

Quote: “Macbeth: Methought I heard a voice cry “Sleep no more!/ Macbeth doth murder sleep”– the innocent sleep,/ Sleep that knits up the raveled sleave of care,/ The death of each day’s life, sore labor’s bath,/ Balm of hurt minds, great nature’s second course,/ chief nourisher in life’s feast. Lady Macbeth: What do you mean? Macbeth: Still it cried “sleep no more!” to all the house./ “Glamis hath murdered sleep, and therefore Cawdor shall sleep no more. Macbeth shall sleep no more.”