In Act 5 of Macbeth, Lady Macbeth is tormented by hallucinations and voices due to the overwhelming guilt she feels over the crimes she and Macbeth have committed. Here's why this may be happening to her:
1. Guilt and Remorse: Lady Macbeth was deeply involved in the plot to murder King Duncan, which triggered a series of violent events. The guilt and remorse from being a part of such heinous acts can lead to hallucinations and hearing voices as her conscience torments her.
2. Psychological Strain: The weight of the crimes she has been a part of starts to take a toll on Lady Macbeth's mental health. The psychological strain of dealing with the consequences of her actions can manifest in hallucinations and hearing voices as her mind struggles to cope with the guilt.
3. Symbolic Punishment: Shakespeare uses Lady Macbeth's hallucinations as a form of symbolic punishment for her role in the murders. By showing her tormented by visions and voices, the play illustrates the psychological consequences of unchecked ambition and immoral actions.
4. Fulfilling the Prophecy: Lady Macbeth's hallucinations and hearing voices could also be seen as a fulfillment of the supernatural prophecies and curses present throughout the play. The witches' predictions and the curse of her own actions may contribute to her descent into madness.
Overall, Lady Macbeth's hallucinations and voices in Act 5 serve to highlight the destructive power of guilt, ambition, and the consequences of immoral deeds in the tragic narrative of Macbeth.
