Role Of Mental Illness In Macbeth

According to an article by William Hartston, The name “Macbeth” (or MacBheatha or Mac Bethad) means ‘son of life’ in Gaelic (Hartston). Which profoundly ironic considering his bloodthirsty rage that unfolds as the play rolls on. Seeing as Macbeth means ‘son of life,’wouldn't it also be ironic that from war in the beginning, he was engulfed by death, which may have caused a mental illness of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder? Later on, he murders the king of Scotland; therefore, only made matters worse. Macbeth's PTSD would explain why he was easily frightened or startled, hearing and seeing things, and triggered by certain objects. A mental illness of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, caused a noble, magnificent, brave man like Macbeth to develop the symptoms which would explain why he was frightened by Banquo and his sons, seeing the ghost of Banquo when no one else could, and acting different when it seemed as if the trees were moving towards his
Macbeth should signs of hypervigilance by being scared of Banquo and what his sons might become one day. Macbeth also showed signs of having hallucinations when he saw the ghost of Banquo and the banquet held in his honor. Lastly, he showed signs of anxiety by the rash decisions making choices he made when he saw the trees moving toward his castle and the prophecy becoming true before his eyes. All of these actions by Macbeth, can be seen as symptoms of PTSD and which may have caused his downfall. In conclusion, Macbeth confronts Malcolm’s army, trusting in the witches’ comforting promises and prophecies. He learns that the promises are tricks, but continues to fight. Macduff kills Macbeth and Malcolm becomes Scotland’s