I am sick at heart, not ip
When I behold—This push 
Will cheer me ever, or disseat me now. 
I have lived long enough: my way of life 
Is fall’n into the sear, the yellow leaf; –
And that which should accompany old age, 
As honour, love, obedience, troops of friends, 
I must not look to have; but, in their stead, 
Curses, not loud but deep, mouth-honour, breath, 
Which the poor heart would fain deny, and dare not. not ip

State of mind –

Macbeth is now in the current state of mind where he is bitter about what he has seized from life. He once had the expectation that in later life he would possess “honour, love, obedience, troops of friends” but he now realises that that expectation is no longer existent. In there place he will have ‘curses, not loud but deep, mouth-honour”. The heart is used as a symbol for honour. Macbeth references the heart twice in his soliloquy. Firstly that he is “sick at heart”, this communicates that he has lost his sense of honour, his sickness goes much deeper than his wife’s as it has spread to the heart which is incurable. Macbeth used to be regarded as a man of honour, but through seizing power of being king (what seemingly should be the highest state of power), his honour quickly crumbled away till he was left as an empty shell of his past self. The heart is also referenced in the final line of the soliloquy as Macbeth now only expects false honour and respect from others. The hearts of others no longer honour Macbeth as an individual or as king. Macbeth’s state of mind deteriorating is reflected through the incurable sickness in his heart.