In 'Macbeth', Shakespeare utilises ideas about kingship and the supernatural to portray guilt as a powerful force which mentally torments an individual and ultimately leads to their downfall. Shakespeare also uses ideas about religion and gender roles to effectively portray guilt in characters, particularly Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. At the beginning of the play, Shakespeare presents guilt as mentally tormenting to Macbeth's thoughts and his physical state. The quotation 'why do I yield to that suggestion whose horrid image doth unfix my hair' suggests Macbeth's guilt is so great at this point that even the thought of committing a sin causes him to feel physically uneasy hence the phrase 'doth unfix my hair'. Here, Shakespeare has presented Macbeth as morally aware and accepting of his guilt and how committing sin is not right for him in the long term. It can also be argued that Shakespeare has presented Macbeth here as someone who is wondering whether he has to commit sin in order to become king or achieve the throne in the honest way. Additionally, we can see here Macbeth is guilty of the consequences that may come with murdering Duncan and instead perhaps wishes to stay loyal to his king until he gets the position through hard work and integrity. The Jacobean era who were watching the play may favour Macbeth at this point for being able to use his guilt to effectively control himself from committing regicide which was frowned upon as it disrupted the Divine right of kings and the natural order of the universe. Ultimately, at the beginning of the play, Shakespeare has presented Macbeth as morally aware and able to use his guilt in a way to help him shift away from sin. Shakespeare may have presented Macbeth in this way to foreshadow events of guilt which ultimately lead to chaos physically and mentally within the characters. Shakespeare may have also presented guilt in this way in order to send a message to his audience that controlling their temptations through morals and mental stability is beneficial for them in their futures. Another point in the play where Shakespeare presents guilt as mentally tormenting is where Macbeth has murdered Duncan and is overwhelmed by guilt. The quotation 'me thought I heard a voice cry, Macbeth doth murder sleep' used by Shakespeare shows how Macbeth's guilt of regicide has caused his mind to play tricks on him through imaginary voices whispering to him his soon-to-be fate. Through this quotation, we are able to see that Macbeth's guilt from sin will haunt him forever preventing him from being able to relax and ultimately 'sleep'. The verb 'murder' mirrors the natural order and how because Macbeth disrupted the natural order of the universe the guilt caused by the event will also 'murder' his peace of mind and ability to stay calm. In the Jacobean era, sleep was seen as a blessing and reward after a day of hard work to rest and recharge mentally and physically for those who worked hard to help people in society and used their energy for purposeful duties. However, an audience in the Jacobean era may acknowledge Macbeth as someone who is sinful at this point of the play and should not be blessed by God with the reward of sleep. Shakespeare may have presented guilt as overwhelming to show his audience the consequences of unchecked ambition and to help them realise the benefits and tranquillity an individual will gain if they achieve what they desire with patience in God's blessing and with integrity. Moreover, Shakespeare also presents the dire consequences of sin through the character of Lady Macbeth. The use of the quotation 'out damned spot' is ironic as it portrays Lady Macbeth as someone who is morally aware of what she has done and is consumed by her own guilt which she did not possess before. The term 'damned' has connotations to 'damnation' which means eternity in hell. Here, Shakespeare has presented guilt as an aspect that lies within an individual for as long as they live even in the afterlife when they are punished by God. We are able to see that through her guilt Lady Macbeth is also haunted by the thoughts of her fate in hell and is unable to wash away the 'blood' of the major sin she committed. Symbolically, the blood may represent God's punishment of eternal guilt that Lady Macbeth will feel and also a mark of sin to ensure she learns from her mistakes by being morally responsible for her actions. As an audience, we may reflect on our own morals and actions in our everyday lives and think before we do something to avoid the same guilt consumed fate as Lady Macbeth. Ultimately, at this point of the play, Shakespeare shows his audience through Lady Macbeth that guilt is also an aspect which may come as unaware to some individuals when they commit sin and also shows the audience that guilt is not easy to recognise. Instead, the guilt is recognised by an individual after they have committed the sin and realises the consequences and is heavily affected by stress and mental instability. In conclusion, Shakespeare presents guilt as an aspect that causes an individual's downfall through the use of his moral messages and portrayal of the dire consequences which come in an individual's future due to acting wrongly in the state of their unchecked ambition. Shakespeare wants his audience to understand guilt mentally torments an individual and causes them to go astray from God's blessing and away from the Christian religion.