Consider the incident in The Tragedy of Macbeth, Act II, Scene ii, lines 34–42, where Macbeth hears the words, “Sleep no more! Macbeth does murder sleep.” In what sense might Macbeth have murdered sleep?

Answer:

Macbeth has murdered Duncan while he slept, but the phrase also means that Macbeth has destroyed his own ability to sleep peacefully. His guilt and fear after the murder rob him of rest and innocence. By killing a sleeping king, Macbeth has brought sleeplessness and torment upon himself.