Definitions
Banquo's Suspicions
Banquo is suspicious of Macbeth, believing that he has gained the throne through foul means.
Macbeth's Fear
Macbeth fears Banquo’s noble nature and sees him as a threat to his newly gained power.
Banquet Scene
Macbeth hosts a feast to celebrate his kingship, but his guilt manifests as he sees Banquo's ghost.
Guilt and Paranoia
Macbeth's guilt over Duncan's murder leads to paranoia, causing him to further unravel.
Lady Macbeth’s Role
Lady Macbeth tries to manage Macbeth’s fears and keep appearances at the banquet.
The Witches' Influence
The influence of the witches' prophecies continues to affect Macbeth’s actions and thoughts.
Macbeth’s Insecurity
Act 3 of Macbeth marks a significant turning point for the character of Macbeth. His insecurity is most apparent in his interactions and the decisions that he makes. In his soliloquy in Scene 1, he reveals his fear of Banquo: 'Our fears in Banquo stick deep, and in his royalty of nature reigns that which would be feared.' Macbeth's insecurity drives him to plot the murder of Banquo and his son, Fleance.
The Murder of Banquo
The murder of Banquo is a central event in Act 3 that illustrates Macbeth’s moral descent. Despite Banquo's clear suspicions of Macbeth, detailed in lines such as 'Thou hast it now: king, Cawdor, Glamis, all, as the weird women promised, and I fear Thou play'dst most foully for't,' Macbeth sees Banquo as a danger due to the prophecies. Consequently, he hires murderers to kill Banquo and Fleance. However, Fleance escapes, fulfilling the witches' prophecy that Banquo's lineage will continue to reign.
Banquet and Banquo's Ghost
The banquet scene in Act 3, Scene 4, is crucial for demonstrating Macbeth’s deteriorating mental state. During the feast, Macbeth is haunted by the vision of Banquo’s ghost, which only he can see. This supernatural occurrence underscores his deep guilt and fear. Macbeth’s lines, such as 'Thou canst not say I did it; never shake Thy gory locks at me,' show his fractured psyche and the grip his crimes have on him. Lady Macbeth attempts to cover for him, but the damage is done, and their kingdom starts to falter.
Shift in Marriage Dynamic
In Act 3, the dynamic between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth begins to shift. Initially, Lady Macbeth was the one steering Macbeth towards murder and power. However, as Macbeth becomes more independent in his tyranny, their relationship strains. Lady Macbeth's attempts to calm him during the banquet illustrate her waning influence over him as he proceeds with his violent plans without her knowledge or approval.
The Influence of the Witches
The influence of the witches becomes more apparent as Macbeth continues to rely on their prophecies to justify his actions. He resolves to visit them again to learn more about his fate. This dependence on their foresight propels him into further darkness and foreshadows the chaos to come. His quote, 'I will to-morrow (And betimes I will) to the weird sisters' is indicative of this growing obsession.
To remember :
In Act 3 of Macbeth, the key moments are characterized by Macbeth's escalating insecurity and descent into madness driven by fear and the influence of the supernatural. His decision to murder Banquo reveals his fear of losing power. The appearance of Banquo’s ghost at the banquet underlines his overwhelming guilt. Furthermore, the shift in his relationship with Lady Macbeth and his increasing reliance on the witches' prophecies illustrate his moral unraveling and the overarching theme of unchecked ambition leading to one's downfall.
