Macbeth's famous soliloquy at the beginning of this act introduces an important theme: visions and hallucinations caused by guilt. The "dagger of the mind" that Macbeth sees is not "ghostly" or supernatural so much as a manifestation of the inner struggle Macbeth feels as he contemplates murdering Duncan. It "[marshals him] the way [he] was going," leading him toward the bloody deed he will do (II.i 50-54). The same can be said for the …showed first 75 words of 1062 total…

…showed last 75 words of 1062 total…sleep. When he lets the thanes in, he mentions that he and his friends were out "carousing till the second cock" (II.iii 24). This statement calls to mind the cock that crowed in the Bible after Peter denied knowing Christ ¬ effectively turning on and from him by denying his association. In this story, Macbeth traitorously turns on Duncan and kills him, accompanied by the crowing of the cock. A metaphor becomes reality.