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Act 3 Scene 1 of William Shakesepare's Macbeth
Background
King Duncan, has been murdered by Macbeth, and Macbeth is crowned King
of Scotland. Banquo is back in the royal castle of Forres, and we find
out, that he has been observing the recent events and is aware of the
witches' prophecies. This prompts him to wonder if the prophecy made
to him by the witches may also come true. Meanwhile, Macbeth fears
that Banquo and his son Fleance may be an obstacle to him and plans
their murder, keeping Lady Macbeth in the dark. Lastly, in this scene,
Macbeth plans to kill Banquo and his son through hired assassins.
Analysis
The scene begins with Banquo suspecting Macbeth, and in this short
soliloquy of his, Macbeth tells the audience that he suspects that
Macbeth became king by foul means, as shown by the quote' Thou hast it
now: King, Cawdor, Glamis, all As the weird women promised and I fear
Thou playd'st most foully for't. Banquo's fears are overcome by the
thought that since Macbeth has become the king, he too, may be the
father, to a lineage of Kings as the witches had predicted. 'That
myself should be the root and father of many kings.
Banquo's' thoughts are interrupted, with Macbeth and Lady Macbeth
entering, and Macbeth, inviting Banquo to the banquet as the chief
guest. This is very ironical, as we later find out that Macbeth is
about to arrange for the murder of Banquo and his son, so Banquo would
not be able to come as he would be dead. Also, in this part, we are
able to see that Macbeth is keen to find out if Fleance is going
riding with his father. This is because he wants both of them killed
as he fears Banquo knows ...
... middle of paper ...
...d to the throne after his
death. He stands in stark contrast to Macduff who firmly refuses to
have anything to do with the usurper.
Links, significance and audience impact
Link
This scene shows that Macbeth has changed, and now is obsessed with
power and authority which propels him to killing anyone who come in
his way or poses a threat to his immoral and illegal reign as King of
Scotland. This scene, also show the beginning of the gradual decline
of Macbeth.
Audience impact
We, as the audience, lose all sympathy for Macbeth, as in this scene
he appears to be evil and a tyrant (modern day terrorist) who is a
threat to society and people. (Kills Banquo just because he fears
losing his crown). Also, we sense the decline of Macbeth, and the
theme of good versus evil comes to the mind.
Thank you
Both Banquo and Macbeth are introduced as loyal captains in the king`s army, but as the play progresses, Macbeth is overcome with the desire of power due to his reception of the prophecies. Upon hearing, Banquo does not become greedy for power, but, alternatively, he is suspect and cautious begins wondering if “we [Macbeth and Banquo] eaten on the insane root that takes the reason prisoner?” (1.3). Realizing the witches were simply trying to make him ambitious, Banquo remains loyal to his king and his country, despite knowing that he will have a dynasty to rule Scotland. Despite having the motivation, Banquo does not commit treason against his king but rather wants to “keep my [his] bosom franchis'd and allegiance clear” (2.1), meaning that he has no desire to betray the king for personal gain. Conversely, upon hearing the witches’ prophecies, Macbeth becomes ambitious for power and follows them blindly. He is curious about the witches’ prophecies and demands they “stay… [and] tell me [him] more” (1.3). When he hears that the prophecy that his heirs will rule Scotland he will be king, Macbeth`s ambition is born and his thoughts instantly turn to murder, even though the witches had not mentioned murdering King Duncan which shows that Macbeth has previously thought about murdering his king. As a result, Macbeth has no loyalty to neither his king nor his country and commits treason. While both Banquo and Macbeth hear the witches` prophecies that promised power, only Macbeth conceded to their prophecy and became overcame with ambition. Macbeth is a direct antithesis to the honorable, dependent Banquo. He transforms into a greedy man who is obsessed with his
Little does Duncan know that this is a murder plot set up by Macbeth and his wife. Macbeth then becomes king and ends up having Banquo murdered because the witches also predicted that Banquo’s children will become king. Macbeth then goes to talk with the witches again
After murdering Duncan, Macbeth feels that he needs to kill Banquo. He is afraid that Banquo is going to be a problem for him. He is suspicious that Banquo believes Macbeth had something to do with Duncan's murder, "Our fears in Banquo/ Stick deep; and in his royalty of nature/ Reigns that which would be feared" (3.1.47-49). He plans to kill him, though Banquo has made no direct threat against Macbeth. He speaks of feeling inferior to Banquo, even though he is king. "There is none but he/ Whose being I do fear; and under him/ My genius is rebuked" (3.1.53-55). Banquo is Macbeth's closest friend, he is starting to lose trust in everyone around him.
After the death of Duncan, Macbeth begins to distance himself from Lady Macbeth, and he becomes ambitious. Despite being a king, Macbeth is worried about Banquo:
Shakespeare Reveals Macbeth's State of Mind in Act One Scene Three. Macbeth's state of mind is revealed through Macbeth's soliloquies. As Macbeth speaks "aside" as he reveals to the audience his plans to murder. to Duncan.
start, but in real life he was apparently not as good a king as is
William Shakespeare's Macbeth: Act 3 Scene 4 The very start of the scene begins with order, commencing with a banquet. The director might choose to set the stage as a grand hall with a large banquet table accompanied with a majestic feast. The room would appear grand and formal. Overall the scene is set with a sense of perfection.
Later in the play Banquo starts to have a bad feeling about Macbeth. "Thou hast it now: King, Cowdor, Glamis, all,/ as the weird women promised, and I fear/ thou play'dst most foully for `t." III i 1-3, this is a quote from Banquo explaining how he feels about Macbeth's predictions coming true. Macbeth realizes this about Banquo and he starts to have feelings about killing Banquo. This isn't the only reason he feels this way, the witches had also made predictions for Banquo. "Thou shall get kings, though thou be none." I iii 67, Macbeth doesn't want any of Banquo's family to rule Scotland; he wants his own family to continue to rule. Macbeth hires two murderers to kill Banquo and his on Fleance. The murderers end up killing Banquo, but Fleance gets away.
...le Macbeth tells them that ‘every man be master of his time’ so that he can ‘keep alone’. By choosing to isolate himself and not inform Lady Macbeth of his plans to murder Banquo we see how Macbeth feels as if he can’t even trust his closest companions. After turning his back on Lady Macbeth, Macbeth becomes fixated not only on the prophecies of the witches but when he hints to Lady Macbeth that ‘a deed of dreadful note’ will fall upon Banquo and his son he talks like the witches. This shows how Macbeth has turned his back on seeking council from his lords and advisors and begins to act as a king who instead of rationally thinking things out, he chooses to justify his reasons on prophetic predictions from a world of sorcery.
Act 3 Scene 3 as the Turning Point of the Play Othello by William Shakespeare
Here, Macbeth realizes that if something is not done to Banquo, his sons will become Kings. Macbeth can not have this. He had already worried that his soul will go to hell for what he had done. His fear become evident in this scene also, "But to be safely thus: our fears in Banquo Stick deep;" [Act III, S I, L 53-54] Macbeth has Banquo murdered,
The particular scene I have chosen to commentate about in the play of Macbeth by William Shakespeare is Act 2, Scene 2. "That which hath made them drunk hath made me bold.
After they hear the prophecies told to them by the evil sisters, Banquo starts to worry about Macbeth and his ambitions to become king. Macbeth is thinking that he may become king without doing anything else, and Banquo thinks Macbeth does not deserve to be thane of Cawdor. At this point, the two friends start growing farther from each other because they do not trust one another. Banquo starts to fear Macbeth because he knows if his prophecy is true than he is a threat to Macbeth's throne. Macbeth realizes he must get rid of Banquo to secure his spot on the throne and make sure his sons will not take his place.
However, this experience is not one that gives him courage or ambition but one that gives him fear, enough to make a man go mad. At the party, Macbeth sees Banquo’s ghost which he describes as “a bold one that dare look on that which might appall the devil” (III.vi.63). He begins to act like a madman in front of all those loyal to him and reveals that Banquo is dead. Despite Lady Macbeth’s attempt to cover up his act by blaming it on a childhood illness, Macbeth’s followers begin to lose question their king, lose trust in him, and even wonder if he is the one who murdered Duncan. After the banquet, Macbeth seeks the witches out of their cave so that he can learn more about his future and silence those who are plotting against him despite what the consequences may be. This reveals that Macbeth has completely fallen for the witches prophecy. There, he sees a line of eight kings followed by Banquo’s ghost. The last king holds a mirror to reflect a never-ending line of kings descended from Banquo. When he sees this, he exclaims“ thou art look like the spirits of Banquo: down!” (IV.i.123). This vision confirms that Banquo’s descendants inherit the throne and contributes to Macbeth’s anxiety, fear and to his further loss of control. He becomes even more insecure about his position as king and can no longer make his decisions
The Significance of Act 1 Scene 1 of William Shakespeare's Macbeth The story of ‘Macbeth’ opens in ancient Scotland during a time of war. between Scotland and Norway. In thunder and lightning, not far from. the place of battle, three witches meet on a lonely heath.