In "Macbeth" the role of sleep as a controlling image is both important and reoccurring. Sleep, or lack of it in the play carries many connotations, namely: Foretelling/premonitions, peace, disorder, guilt, stress, punishment and insanity. How does sleep reoccur and why is it so prevalent as an image in this play? The focal point of the play is when we learn that Macbeth...
             "does murder sleep" Act 2 Scene II
             This is the point that the image of sleep has been leading up to and consequently progresses from. Also the links sleep has with night and evil only serve to heighten our awareness of sleep as a controlling image. For this essay I will analyse the controlling image of sleep in "Macbeth" with reference to the categories/connotations aforementioned.
             Shakespeare uses sleeplessness as a tool for premonitions and foretelling within the play, mostly for the evil which has not yet come to pass. Indeed early in the play Banquo cannot sleep on the night of Duncan's murder:
             "A heavy summons like a lead upon me
             And yet I would not sleep; merciful powers!" Act 2 Scene II
             This is not so much a direct premonition but still alludes to the fact that all cannot be well with the "natural order". When Banquo wishes "Good repose" later in the same scene we get the suspicion that he is aware of something afoot with Macbeth. Also Macbeth's notion that Malcolm and Donalbain have awoken as Macbeth murdered King Duncan is referred to:
             "...one did laugh in's sleep and one cried 'murder'" Act 2 Scene II
             Once again a reference to the evil occurring and about to occur, though as yet the sleepless characters are unaware of the weight their restlessness carries.
             After the premonitions, guilt becomes intertwined with sleep in the course of the play. The scene mentioned, where the two sons of the King wake during his murder also serves as a sign of...