Neurotic guilt, or survivor’s guilt, is defined as having feelings of guilt for surviving a tragedy in which others died. In Macduff’s case he had fled Scotland to find refuge for himself, but this left his family in danger. When Ross gives Macduff the news of his family’s death, Macduff cries, “I cannot remember such things were that were most precious to me…Sinful Macduff,/They were all struck for thee! Naught that I am,/ Not for their own demerits, but for mine,/Fell slaughter on their souls” (IV, iii, 262-267). This quote is important because it expresses how Macduff feels as though his family was harmed due to his actions against the king. Therefore, if he had at least been there with them, then he would have been murdered as well. Thus, the “survivor’s guilt” Shakespeare is conveying comes from a situation where Macduff feels guilty about an event that he had no chance of averting, and an event for which he feels obsessively responsible for no rational reason (“Guilt and Shame”). Furthermore, Macduff feels as though he himself must avenge his family’s death by being the man to slay Macbeth; another response of the human psyche as caused by neurotic guilt. He states prior to his battle with Macbeth, “If thou beest slain, and with no stroke of mine,/My wife and children’s ghosts will haunt me still” (V, vii, 20-21). This quote acknowledges the guilt Macduff feels, the guilt becomes effective in his actions against Macbeth. Macduff believes the only way to rid himself of guilt and avenge his family’s death is to kill Macbeth himself, or else he will be haunted by their ghosts. Shakespeare makes it apparent that he understands how neurotic guilt affects the psyche into feeling responsible for a death as well as possibly seeking revenge for
Neurotic guilt, or survivor’s guilt, is defined as having feelings of guilt for surviving a tragedy in which others died. In Macduff’s case he had fled Scotland to find refuge for himself, but this left his family in danger. When Ross gives Macduff the news of his family’s death, Macduff cries, “I cannot remember such things were that were most precious to me…Sinful Macduff,/They were all struck for thee! Naught that I am,/ Not for their own demerits, but for mine,/Fell slaughter on their souls” (IV, iii, 262-267). This quote is important because it expresses how Macduff feels as though his family was harmed due to his actions against the king. Therefore, if he had at least been there with them, then he would have been murdered as well. Thus, the “survivor’s guilt” Shakespeare is conveying comes from a situation where Macduff feels guilty about an event that he had no chance of averting, and an event for which he feels obsessively responsible for no rational reason (“Guilt and Shame”). Furthermore, Macduff feels as though he himself must avenge his family’s death by being the man to slay Macbeth; another response of the human psyche as caused by neurotic guilt. He states prior to his battle with Macbeth, “If thou beest slain, and with no stroke of mine,/My wife and children’s ghosts will haunt me still” (V, vii, 20-21). This quote acknowledges the guilt Macduff feels, the guilt becomes effective in his actions against Macbeth. Macduff believes the only way to rid himself of guilt and avenge his family’s death is to kill Macbeth himself, or else he will be haunted by their ghosts. Shakespeare makes it apparent that he understands how neurotic guilt affects the psyche into feeling responsible for a death as well as possibly seeking revenge for