The character of Macbeth suffered from the symptoms of

the mental illness paranoid schizophrenia.

this is believed by me to be true due to the fact that he indeed suffered from all five symptoms required in the diagnosis of the disease, and shows this throughout different times in the play.

The five basic symptoms of paranoid schizophrenia are:

dillusions, hullucinations, incoherence and catatonic behavior and a the appearance of the flat effect.

The first shown of the five basic indications was catatonic behavior. but before I discuss that event I'd like to add that although if this were an actual case the man would have obviously suffered many of these symptoms long before the first instance is shown in the play. Since it is just a play, the story begins with no history to support it. Therefore the first case will only be another random occurance in what is assumed to be one of many consecutive symptoms gone on throughout Macbeth's life. With this in mind I will describe Macbeth's first shown symptom.

Catatonic behavior is lightly defined as m

His composure seems stable now, up until he walks into his banquet. he notices the ghost of Banquo sitting at the head of the table, the ghost then nods to him to signify that it knows of what he's done. he freaks out in front of everyone at the sight of this.

In the next scene, Duncan has arrived at their castle. Macbeth convinces himself to go through with the act as soon as possible, but before the scene is over he relays his hesitation saying

But in reality, the necessity in his killing lay only in his uncontrollable need to kill, which was satisfied and easily justified to the world and

Next, the guards are drugged and Macbeth proceeds to kill the king. he goes back to his wife very shakin up, going on about hearing someone say he killed sleep, sleep representing peace reserved for those with a clear conscience.

skipping ahead to act three, scene one, Macbeth expresses concern for his security as king, delivering a sililoquy about how it means nothing to be king unless he is secure in being so. These worries come from Banquo and his prophecy of a line of kings in his family. He also realizes that Banquo is suspicious of him.

Some common words found in the essay are:
Lady Macbeth, Shakespeare's Macbeth, Macduff Macbeth, Macbeth Banquo, Thane Cawdor, towards castle, catatonic behavior, act five scene, kings family, line kings family, lady macbeth, suffered symptoms, paranoid schizophrenia, mental illness, line kings, birnham woods, scene macbeth,
Approximate Word count = 1823
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page double spaced)