Act 3, Scene 4

Summary

• At Macbeth’s banquet, one of the murderers appears at the door to tell Macbeth that Banquo is dead and Fleance escaped

• At the table, Macbeth is confronted by Banquo’s ghost, who is sat in his seat

• He acts insane which Lady Macbeth manages to dismiss as a fit, but when the ghost reappears, she has to send all the guests away

Quotes

• Many addressed Duncan by his first name even though he was King

• Shows Macbeth’s arrogance - he might insist on them addressing him this way

• Shows that people might feel less comfortable around Macbeth than Duncan

• Arrogance

• Upset that Fleance is alive

• Takes credit for what the murderer did - acting as if he had killed Banquo

• Macbeth would have felt ‘whole’ and more secure if Fleance was dead

• The fact that people’s deaths are making him ‘whole’ shows how corrupt he has become

• The need for security is emphasised

• Macbeth sees Fleance as a threat

• Alliteration to emphasise how trapped Macbeth feels

• Fleance knows/has an idea that Macbeth is guilty now- has to be extra cautious now

• Worried about the witches prophecy

• Banquo was killed violently even though it wasn’t necessary to be violent (Macbeth possibly ordered for it to be violent?)

• Links to the theme of power, emphasises his hamartias (ambition and bloodlust)

• Shows Macbeth’s psychotic state of mind and how corrupted he is due to the idea of wealth - Banquo was his best friend and was innocent

• Sarcasm

• Comedic relief - doesn’t see the severity of ending a life - links to corruption and evil

• Describes his best friend, Banquo, as a ‘serpent’ despite his innocence (ambition/greed)

• ‘serpent’ - connotations of betrayal (ironic as Macbeth just betrayed Banquo), and evil (Adam and Eve in Genesis chapter 3)

• The noun ‘serpent’ is also ironic because the serpent in Genesis 3 symbolises temptation - Macbeth was tempted by the witches to carry out regicide

• Referring to Fleance

• ‘worm’ - connotations of weakness, Fleance is pathetic - insignificant in his game

• Revenge won’t happen immediately but will happen eventually

• Little to no hesitation in deciding his next step (hamartia)

• Macbeth commands the murder to do so in an authoritative tone - shows how much power he has as king

• Believes he is not guilty as there is no blood on his hands - he didn’t commit the murder, the murderers did

• Technically true

• Trying to convince the guests that this is a momentary fit rather than an illness

• Trying to not raise suspicions

• Taking control of the situation as per usual - plays the role as the “innocent” female who actually goes against the stereotypical standards

• Shakespeare challenges patriarchy

• Questions his masculinity

• Makes him feel weak and less of a man

• Compares this to his hallucinations in Act 2, Scene 1

• Is quick to confirm to the guests that Macbeth has hallucinated multiple times - possibly to rule it out as an illness but could evidently raise suspicion

• Believes Banquo has risen from the dead despite the 20 wounds on his head

• ‘mortal’ - could reference that Banquo had died unnaturally

• Refers to Banquo as his friend despite betraying him and no longer seeing him as a friend due to corruption

• Links to theme of deception - ‘look like th’ innocent flower but be the serpent under’t’ - Lady Macbeth (Act 1, Scene 7)

• He knows that he is dead but still is scared

• Raising suspicion among guests

• Lady Macbeth commands everyone and immediately takes charge of the situation - showing what kind of character she is

• Everyone listens to her command even though she is a woman - shocks the audience as Shakespeare challenges gender stereotypes

• blood shed through violence seeks more blood in revenge, creating a cycle of bloodshed - he feels trapped in the inevitability of violence

• ‘blood’ - constantly referenced, symbolises guilt that will forever sit on the Macbeth’s consciences

• Lady Macbeth asks him to ‘sleep’ - ironic since in the end she lacks sleep and she becomes insane

• Dismisses his emotions and the fact that he could be seriously ill

Banquo’s ghost and Macbeth

• May be Macbeth’s imagination getting him to confess

• May be Macbeth’s conscience trying to convince himself that he is innocent - he needs to believe he is innocent to stay sane and can’t stand the thought of being guilty

• Links to the supernatural - the witches may be trying to get Macbeth to confess/challenge his sanity