Explain the following passages with reference to the context : “Out, damned spot: out I say! One, Two: Why then ’tis time to do’t. Hell is murky. Fie, My Lord, fie! A soldier, and affear’d? What need we fear who knows it, when none can call our power to accompt”?

This passage is from Act 5, Scene 1 of William Shakespeare's "Macbeth," commonly known as the sleepwalking scene. It is a crucial moment that reveals Lady Macbeth's profound guilt and mental unraveling following the series of murders she and Macbeth have committed.

Contextual Explanation

Lady Macbeth's Guilt and Desperation

In this scene, Lady Macbeth, who has been sleepwalking and exhibiting signs of deep psychological distress, is observed by a doctor and a gentlewoman. The lines "Out, damned spot: out I say!" refer to her hallucination of a bloodstain on her hand, a symbolic representation of her guilt over the murders she has been complicit in, particularly the murder of King Duncan.

The Imaginary Bloodstain

The "damned spot" she is trying to remove is an imaginary bloodstain that she cannot cleanse, representing the indelible guilt that haunts her. Her repeated attempts to wash it away signify her inability to escape the consequences of her and Macbeth's actions.

"One, Two: Why then 'tis time to do't"

These lines suggest that she is reliving the moments leading up to Duncan's murder. The counting could imply the ticking of the clock or her counting the steps as Macbeth approaches Duncan's chamber. It reflects her anxious state of mind during the execution of their plan.

"Hell is murky"

This line indicates her awareness of the moral darkness of their deeds. It's as if she's acknowledging the hellish nature of their actions and the murky, inescapable moral abyss they have plunged into.

"Fie, My Lord, fie! A soldier, and affear'd?"

Here, Lady Macbeth is likely recalling her earlier taunting of Macbeth, where she questioned his manhood and bravery to goad him into committing the murder. It shows her internal conflict and how she is haunted by her own words that pushed Macbeth into committing regicide.

"What need we fear who knows it, when none can call our power to accompt?"

This line reflects the initial belief that their power would protect them from the consequences of their actions. However, it is deeply ironic because, despite their rise to power, they are both plagued by guilt and paranoia, unable to escape the psychological ramifications of their deeds.

Thematic Significance

Guilt and Conscience

The scene is a powerful exploration of guilt and the way it can consume an individual. Despite her earlier show of strength and ruthlessness, Lady Macbeth cannot escape her conscience, which manifests in her sleepwalking and hallucinations.

The Consequences of Ambition

The passage also underscores the central theme of the destructive nature of unchecked ambition. Lady Macbeth's ambition led her to orchestrate Duncan's murder, but she did not anticipate the lasting impact it would have on her psyche.

The Role of Gender

Lady Macbeth's earlier manipulation of gender norms (challenging Macbeth's masculinity to spur him into action) comes back to haunt her in these lines. Her guilt-ridden state contrasts sharply with her earlier portrayal as a cold and calculating figure.

Conclusion

In this passage, Shakespeare vividly portrays Lady Macbeth's descent into madness, driven by guilt and the realization of the true cost of her and her husband's ruthless ambition. Her sleepwalking scene is a poignant reminder of the psychological toll of their actions, serving as a powerful commentary on the themes of guilt, ambition, and the human conscience.