Question

scene 2 line 35 - 40 #6
\methought i hard a voice cry \sleep no more! macbeth does murder sleep\—the innocent sleep ... chief nourisher in life’s feast.\ - macbeth
in what way did macbeth \murder sleep\? why is sleep such a concern for him?

Explanation:

• Macbeth's act of murdering the sleeping Duncan violates the sanctity of sleep, and his guilt creates a psychological barrier to his own rest, which is what he means by "murder sleep".
• Sleep is framed in the text as a vital, healing force that replenishes life. For Macbeth, losing access to it is a punishment for his crime, and it signals his descent into madness and moral decay, making it a core source of anxiety.

Answer:

1. Macbeth "murdered sleep" by killing King Duncan while Duncan was asleep, and also dooming himself to never experience peaceful, guilt-free sleep again.
2. Sleep is a concern because it is presented as a restorative, innocent state that he can no longer access; his guilt from the murder torments him, and he fears the loss of this "chief nourisher in life's feast" will destroy his peace and sanity.