In the play, Lady Macbeth convinces Macbeth to commit regicide by killing King Duncan. However, as the play goes on the guilt of her crime begins to overwhelm her. Lady Macbeth begins sleepwalking, rubbing her hands together to wash away Duncan’s blood. In the sleepwalking scene Lady Macbeth utters the famous line: Out damned spot!
Here is Judi Dench playing Lady Macbeth in the famous sleepwalking scene:
The Macbeth Effect is named after Lady Macbeth, echoing her attempt to achieve moral purity through physical hand washing. Although it seems that this attempt to “wash away our sins” would only be seen in mental illness, the research of Chen-Bo Zhong of and Katie Liljenquist suggests that we are all tempted by the Macbeth effect.
QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION
1. Have you ever been affected by the Macbeth Effect? That need to take a shower or bath after you’ve violated your conscience? Did the washing help?
2. Are physical washings related to moral cleansing in Christianity? What about other world religions?
3. Read Mark 7.1-23. How does the Macbeth Effect tempt us into replacing ritual acts of cleansing with true repentance and morality?
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