Read the excerpt from act 3, scene 2 of The Tragedy of Macbeth . Lady Macbeth is reflecting on her feelings after the coronation. Lady Macbeth: Nought’s had, all’s spent, Where our desire is got without content: ’Tis safer to be that which we destroy Than by destruction dwell in doubtful joy. What is the universal theme in this excerpt?

Lady Macbeth says that although she and Macbeth have achieved what they wanted, they have gained no contentment: “Nought’s had, all’s spent.” She adds that it is safer to be among those they destroyed than to live with the anxious, uncertain happiness their crime has brought. This points to guilt and the inner suffering caused by wrongdoing, so the best answer is “the consuming power of guilt.”

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