Act 3, Scene 4 Flashcards
What happens in Act 3, Scene 4?
Guests arrive for the banquet. Macbeth sees one of the murderers arrive with blood on his face and is pleased to hear that Banquo is dead in a ditch ‘with twenty trenched gashes on his head’. He is disappointed that the ‘worm’ Fleance escaped but he reassures himself that there is no immediate threat because Fleance is so young. As the banquet begins, the ghost of Banquo sits in Macbeth’s place at the table. Macbeth is visibly shaken but Lady Macbeth calms the guests by saying that it is a momentary fit. Lady Macbeth criticises Macbeth for his ‘flaws and starts’ when he is only looking at a ‘stool’. The ghost then goes away but, as Macbeth makes a toast to ‘our dear friend Banquo’, it reappears and he cries out at the ghost saying ‘Hence, horrible shadow!’. It vanishes again but Lady Macbeth says he has ‘displaced the mirth’ and tells the guests to leave. Alone, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth discuss how Macduff declined their invitation and did not come to the banquet. Macbeth decides that he will visit the witches again the next day. Lady Macbeth says he lacks ‘the season of all nature, sleep’ but Macbeth says there is no turning back now; they are ‘yet but young in deed’.
What does Macbeth regarding Banquo’s death as dispatched tell us about his opinions of Banquo?
It makes the murder seem unimportant. As it parallels Banquo to something unecessary and his complete disregard for Banquo’s death. Litotes.
What quote shows Macbeths feelings of being trapped in his own mind?
‘But now I am cabined, cribbed, confined, bound in To saucy doubts and fears.’
Why does ‘‘But now I am cabined, cribbed, confined, bound in To saucy doubts and fears.’’ show that he’s trapped?
The alliteration highlights him being trapped in his own mind and slowly becoming engulfed with guilt.
What quote shows Macbeths nature?
‘Thanks for that. There the grown serpent lies; the worm thats fled.’
What was wave 1 of Macbeths visions of Banquo?
Macbeth saw Banquo appearing in his seat and the table appeared full to him.
What is a very prevalent theme throughout Macbeth?
Dramatic irony, as guests don’t know that Banquo has been murdered.
What shows Macbeth’s belief in the supernatural?
‘Stones have been known to move and trees to speak’
