– Macbeth begins to speak much like the witches back in Scene 1.- This once again relates Macbeth to the theme and connotations of the supernatural. – Macbeth is haunted by the mental image of him murdering King Duncan.- This juxtaposes Macbeth in later scenes where he is then extremely paranoid and emotionless. Whose horrid image doth unfix my hair and make my seated heart knock at the ribs This contrasts the use of execution in Act 1 Scene 1 which describes the lawful killing by Macbeth.- Banquo also questions Macbeth’s integrity by asking Macbeth whether or not he had previous thoughts of gaining kingship due to his anxious reaction.

– Shakespeare compares both Banquo and Macbeth in order to convey the idea that Macbeth’s eventual downfall is nobody’s but his = Banquo is a better man as he immediately dismisses the prophecies told by the witches.- Macbeth is scared of the thought of becoming king as it would mean murder. ‘why do you start, and seem to fear things that you do sound so fair’ – The witches can interfere with the sailor’s journey but can’t kill him directly = This can be linked to Macbeth’s own downfall as it is prophesied by the witches but only directly influenced by Macbeth himself. ‘Though his bark cannot be lost, yet it shall be tempest – tossed’ – Shakespeare further develops the theme of the supernatural by describing the witches powers, as they control the winds. – the lack of sleep is reference throughout the play as an illness causing Macbeth’s decline into insanity brought on by the supernatural (unnatural) witches. – the witches are also going to torture the sailor by stopping the natural aspect of his life such as sleep.- Shakespeare is foreshadowing Macbeth’s decline the madness by mentioning the torturous act of insomnia. – the sailor’s fate is comparable to Macbeth’s by the end of the play, draining him morally, mentally and physically/

– the witches are perceived to be more powerful than they actually are.

Insomnia quotes in macbeth