The Importance of Guilt in MacbethThroughout the story, guilt motivates Macbeth and Lady Macbeth to a large extent. Macbeth was a kind and noble nobleman of King Duncan. But one day his benevolence and patronage towards the king changed. He had met the three witches who revealed the three prophecies to him. The first prophecy was that Macbeth would become the thane of Cawdor. The second prophecy is that he will become king in the future. The third was that Banquo's sons will also become kings in the future (Banquo is a good friend of Macbeth). Macbeth took his future into his own hands. It was Lady Macbeth who encouraged and persuaded Macbeth in these horrible circumstances. Guilt plays a different role in the couple on certain occasions. Guilt surrounds Macbeth the night he killed King Duncan. He returned to his wife with a horrified expression on his face. “It’s a sorry sight” (Act2 scene 2, line 20), he tells her. . “A stupid thought, to say a sorry sight,” Lady Macbeth was stunned by his remark. She had no feelings of guilt at that moment. He couldn't believe what he had done, what he had gotten himself into. The king's sons, Malcolm and Donalbain, were in the next room. “There was one who laughed in his sleep, and another who shouted: ‘Murder!’ That they woke up.” I got up and heard them. But they said their prayers and asked them to sleep again. But why couldn't I say "Amen"? I needed the blessing the most, and 'Amen' stuck in my throat." Macbeth had heard them say their prayers. He was afraid. He was amazed and in shock that he had killed someone like King Duncan .Guilt surrounds Macbeth for the second By the time he sends the murderers to kill Banquo, his old friend had no choice but to get rid of Banquo had witnessed the three witches and a prophecy was that his son would become. king one day. make them kings, the seeds of kings Banquo" (Act 3, scene 1, line 70). For Macbeth to be safe, Banquo must be killed. Banquo can assume what happened and tell the Scottish people. "For Banquo's problem I have filled my mind; it was for them that I murdered the gracious Duncan; Put the grudges in the vessel of my peace just for them and for my eternal jewel".