Act 3 Flashcards
I fear thou play’dst most foully for it
Links again to the witches “fair is foul and foul is fair”
“Foully” = unjust, wrong, horrible
As Banquo is the only one that knows about the witches’ prophecies, he believes Macbeth killed Duncan
Banquet - symbolism
Display of wealth and power, acts as a celebration, a Monarch should be a provider for all his people to show his generosity
To be thus is nothing, but to be safely thus
Macbeth feel that without certainty and security, all that he has achieved is meaningless
Links to ‘nothing is but what is not’, he is never content even now with kingship and always needs more
Our fears in Banquo stick deep
Banquo suspects Macbeth, Macbeth suspects Banquo
Macbeth knows that Banquo knows of the prophecies and his children will be kings so he may be tempted to overthrow Macbeth, he could expose that Macbeth interacted with the witches
Macbeth won’t have an heir, “fruitless crown”
“Stick deep” = fears are imbedded in Macbeth and he can’t escape them, he is an emotional person and this paranoia and deep-seated anxiety affect him greatly
What is Macbeth’s relationship like with Banquo after the murder?
They both suspect each other
Macbeth also feels inferior to Banquo, no matter what he does or how great he is, Banquo will always be better due to his virtuous and honest nature
As a result Macbeth feels threatened, “My genius is rebuked”
For Banquo’s children I have filed my mind…the gracious Duncan I have murdered”
Macbeth believes he has destroyed his inner conscience and morality and denied himself a place in heaven just for Banquo’s children to take over the throne
He has given up his soul to the devil, he may also be slightly jealous as Banquo has children/an heir
He clearly feels threatened and paranoid…“we have scorched the snake, not killed it”
How is Banquo virtuous?
Yes:
- He hasn’t publically questioned/accused Macbeth despite his own suspicions
- He is still loyal to him as a fiend and as king, true to their friendship
- He was skeptical of the witches, not interested and warned Macbeth against their evil
- He is not easily corrupted and does not act on the prophecies, unlike Macbeth
How is Banquo not virtuous?
- He is possibly only remaining loyal because he wants his own benefit of the prophecies to come true, selfish
- He suspects Macbeth but does not reveal their meeting with the witches to others, this could have prevented Duncan’s death so he is not totally loyal to Duncan
- He suspects Macbeth but says nothing, compliant with an act of extreme evil
Lady Macbeth: “what’s done is done” vs “safer to be that which we destroy than by destruction dwell in doubtful joy”
Outwards she is trying to support him and protect him, however in reality she is just as concerned
It is safer to be dead than live in anxiety and fear
Rhyming couplets mirror witches, she has been under their evil influence, called on spirits in times of need
When Macbeth enters she resumes her rational, practical stance
“Alone” the couple are individually physically and emotionally lost from one another
This is a painful reminder of the love they once had replaced by guilt and isolation
O, full of scorpions is my mind, dear wife!
Scorpions are venomous, poison killed just as Macbeth has
They have ‘poisoned’ his mind and transformed him from noble to immoral
They are deadly and cause suffering both to others but also himself emotionally through paranoia and guilt, infected his mind
Be innocent of the knowledge, dearest chuck
Directly contrasts with earlier “partner in greatness”
Their relationship has changed - she now says very little and before did all the speaking, he now keeps her in the dark about the plans, before she initiated the plans
“Dearest chuck” and “innocent” are patronising, belittling his wife but also shoing endearment to her
How does Macbeth’s character change throughout acts 1-3?
Act 1: Brave warrior, brutal, slashed through the enemy and was praised by all, sword
Act 2: Very evil, killed Duncan in defenseless sleep but blamed the guards
Act 3: By the Banquo ghost scene he is a coward, unable to kill by himself - had to hire murderers, is also killing just in case of a risk, not necessary, becoming more used to killing, dagger
Enter the ghost of Banquo, and sits in Macbeth’s place
Shakespeare ensures that he sits here as it is symbolic of how Banquo’s children will take over the throne and supplant Macbeth
Represents Macbeth’s guilt, caused the murder of his once close friend who did nothing to deserve it and was loyal to their friendship
Also symbolic of how the banquet is for the king to provide for his people, Shakespeare suggests Macbeth is not fit to serve his people and questions his role as the father/provider
Which of you have done this?
Openly accuses his guests but he is the only one that can see the ghost
Macbeth believes people are always against him and is seeking to blame for his hallucination
He sees a threat and thinks people are tricking him - sign of immense paranoia
You Banquo’s ghost, cannot accuse me of killing you
Second time he has hallucinated, second murder, although indirect, has affected him
“Accuse” = ordering the ghost not to blame him, ironic as he was the one who ordered his death, projecting his own guilt and regret
“Me” = pronoun, trying to evade responsibility by claiming it wasn’t him, makes it easier on his already troubled conscience
