macbeth 3

• Keywords:

  • peripetia, overzealous (obsessive), tumultuous fortune, flustering, manifestations of his guilt, extrapolated evil, fragmented mind, conscience plagued with guilt
• Macbeth becomes overzealous in his indulgence in murder.
• Duncan was a moment of peripeteia (a sudden reversal of fate/things go wrong) for Macbeth, yet this is not confirmed until the murder of Banquo ensues.
• Duncan's death causes a series of unexpected events to play out largely beyond Macbeth's control.

  • His fate has been taken out of his hands and though he relentlessly attempts to regain power over his fortune, he fails.
• Upon learning that Fleance escaped murder, Macbeth acknowledges his tumultuous fortune, "in time will venom breed/no teeth for th'present".

  • Yet his hubris (pride) blinds him into a false sense of security, suggesting that danger is not yet imminent.
• Banquo's ghost serves as a symbol to expose Macbeth's failure to manipulate fate as despite believing that Banquo is "safe" (murdered successfully), he immediately comes to haunt him.

  • Macbeth is denied any semblance (hint) of safety.
• The banquet scene is Macbeth's opportunity to gain respect as King, both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are overzealous in their welcoming of guests.

  • "Welcome" is repeated by both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth which gives the impression of flustering, their guilt is threatening their composure.
• Structurally, it is important to note that the murderer enters before Macbeth can sit down with his guests.

  • Ironically, his past actions interrupt his ability to assimilate with his peers and noblemen as king.
  • This reinforces that his kingship is unnatural and disrupts the divine right of kings.
• The bloody apparition of Banquo is a physical manifestation of Macbeth's guilt, it makes it tangible but also serves to expose him to his guests and break his composure.

  • It is the beginning of his downfall as his guilt obtains power over him.
• It appears the power dynamic between the Macbeths begins shifting in Act 3.

  • Macbeth begins echoing the former sentiments of Lady Macbeth suggesting he has extrapolated her evil.
• Macbeth claims they must "make our faces vizards to our hearts" which is reminiscent of "look like th'innocent flower but be the serpent under't".

  • This characterises Macbeth as a marionette of evil influence - he echoes both the witches in their lexis (word choice) in Act 1 and his wife.
• Macbeth - "Make our faces vizards to our hearts"

  • This extends the idea of appearances vs. reality as "vizards" suggests they should wear masks to conceal their true nature.
• Although Macbeth is growing to be bloodthirsty and tyrannical it appears he is fragile and malleable as a character, he fails to demonstrate any qualities of a respectable king to epitomize the truth that he is disrupting the natural order.
• Macbeth tells his wife, "I am in blood"

  • Previously, the blood motif (reoccurring symbol for the consequences of murder) was merely his hands, yet now it has enrobed his entire body, and by extension his entire sense of being.
• Macbeth tells his wife, "I am in blood" and "Should I wade no more, returning were as tedious"

  • He admits he cannot return to a position of virtue or innocence so it is easier for him to continue on a murderous path.
• Macbeth's response to fear and guilt has transitioned from being horrified to indulging further in heinous acts, murder now becomes means of self-preservation.
• Lady Macbeth discourages Macbeth from murdering Banquo, "You must leave this", yet he is trapped within the momentum of evil and dismisses her.

  • "Be innocent of the knowledge, dearest chuck"
  • "innocent" could be seen as a mockery of Lady Macbeth saying "look like the innocent flower" because her reality is more alike to that, conforming to feminine expectations.
• It is ironic how Macbeth now overpowers Lady Macbeth through feminine epithets which belittle her, much as she previously done to him.