The purpose of the scene in Act 3 Scene 4 is to celebrate the coronation

The purpose of the scene in Act 3 Scene 4 is to celebrate the coronation

of Macbeth with a banquet. It gives us an insight into his state of mind

Choose a scene, which you think, would be particularly effective in

its impact on an audience. Discuss how this scene is presented in two

different productions. Say which you prefer and why.

The purpose of the scene in Act 3 Scene 4 is to celebrate the

coronation of Macbeth with a banquet. It gives us an insight into his

state of mind and present character, and the changes in the

relationship between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. Finally, we can look

at the deteriorating evil that is vivid in Macbeth. Throughout the

scene, Macbeth is haunted and hallucinating, which Lady Macbeth has no

control over.

At the opening of the scene the atmosphere is exceedingly pleasurable,

both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are entertaining their guests and are

exceeding the roles of host and hostess. When the murders are brought

to Macbeth’s attention, he hurries over to speak with them. Here we

see how Macbeth’s deteriorating character move from, noble, respectful

to cunning, and calculating. The language used to enquire of Banquo

and Fleance were murdered was somewhat crude and vindictive, “is he

dispatched.”

We see Macbeth use entrapment imagery to convey his apprehension with

Fleance escaping. It is clear Macbeth is alarmed now about his

uncertain and indecisive future. We realize that Macbeth is anxious

and fretful worrying that Fleance may seek revenge and become

extremely dangerous. “There the grown serpent lies the warm that

fled.” His aside is packed with animal imagery, which is used to

suggest his insecurity and animal instinct.

As this is happening, it is made clear that Lady Macbeth is livid and

accuses her husband of being an improper host. His response is too

talk of Banquo’s absence, “Where the graced person of our Banquo

present.” His hypocritical tone causes the ghost of Banquo to enter

which understandably frightens Macbeth and his hysterical state

provokes a lot of questions and suspicions. He passes remarks like

“the table is full” and “which one of you have done this? Macbeth

continues in this frenzied state as he beings to communicate with the

ghost, “thou canst not say I did it.” Macbeth is clearly saturated

with guilt and his mind is overcome with torture and evil. “Never

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... then rushes over to her husband to bring him back to some form on

normality. In this production Lady Macbeth is a lot more composed

which is the image I perceived in my head when reading the book. I

found her to be the peacemaker in the relationship, so therefore this

production again met my expectations of the characters. Lady Macbeth

constantly tries to calm her delirious husband and restore some

customariness back into the banquet.

The lords are very confused in this production and talk constantly of

the sights they are witnessing. Once they leave, we see a very

disappointed Lady Macbeth, gazing through a distant window. The pair

then walk up the stairs together with a light, the red light shines as

they lay in bed together which conveys, their intimacy and

closeness. It is clear now that she does not need to encourage

Macbeth anymore to murder.

Both productions were cleverly put together, with wonderful actors and

actresses. I did enjoy the Roman Polanski version a little bit more

simply because it reinforced the images I had already appreciated.

The imagery used in this one, was more vivid and realistic which

captured and held my attention for longer.