Yes, Macbeth absolutely feels guilty at the end of the play, a profound guilt that significantly contributes to his tragic downfall and intense suffering.
The Consuming Burden of Conscience
Throughout the latter acts of the play, Macbeth is increasingly haunted by his heinous deeds, particularly the murder of King Duncan and subsequent atrocities like the killings of Banquo and the Macduff family. While his ambition initially propels him to commit these acts, the psychological repercussions are immense. This deep-seated guilt is not merely a passing emotion but a consuming force that manifests in various ways:
- Visions and Hallucinations: From the spectral dagger leading him to Duncan's chamber to the terrifying appearance of Banquo's ghost at the banquet, these visions are manifestations of his tormented mind, unable to escape the memory of his crimes.
- Paranoia: His guilt fuels an intense paranoia, causing him to distrust everyone and see threats where there might be none. This fear leads him to commit further, increasingly ruthless acts to secure his power, such as the slaughter of Macduff's innocent family.
Guilt as the Architect of His Downfall
Macbeth's overwhelming guilt, intertwined with his escalating paranoia, becomes the primary catalyst for his eventual destruction. It prevents him from ruling effectively, isolates him from his subjects, and ultimately ensures his demise.
His mental state deteriorates drastically under this burden. So profoundly consumed is he by his guilt and the paranoia it engenders that his actions become erratic and tyrannical. This behavior actively pushes the Scottish nobles to unite and overthrow him, demonstrating how his internal torment directly contributes to the external forces aligning against him. Much like Lady Macbeth's own psychological undoing and tragic suicide stemming from her complicity and guilt, Macbeth's guilt drives him toward a self-destructive path, leading him to confront his fate alone and without remorse for his tyranny, only for the burden of his past actions.
