ACT 3: Macbeth quotes and analysis Flashcards
Analyse this quote: “welcome” (banquet scene)
The banquet scene is Macbeth’s opportunity to gain respect as King, both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are overzealous (obsessive) in their welcoming of their guests, “welcome” is repeated by both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth which gives the impression of flustering, their guilt is threatening their composure.
Analyse: the murderer entering before Macbeth can sit down with his guests [banquet scene]
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.
Analyse: Banquo’s ghost (3)
- Shakespeare employs dramatic irony by seating Banquo in Macbeth’s place, his fear is now twofold, extending from both the presence of a ghost and the suggestion that his position as king is under threat.
- 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 guilt obtains power over him.
- 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 of safety.
Analyse: Macbeth becoming overzealous in his indulgence in murder
Macbeth becomes overzealous (obsessive) in his indulgence in murder, he sends a third murderer out of paranoia and a lack of trust. Moreover, this reiterates his hamartia of ambition linking Act 1 and the description of Macbeth in battle, “as cannons over charg’d with double cracks;/so they doubly redoubled strokes upon the foe”. The repetition of “double” here shows him acting in excess and not having restraint or boundaries in battle, Shakespeare portrays him with an aggression that cannot be quelled.
Analyse this quote: “in time will venom breed/no teeth for th’present”
Upon learning that Fleance escaped murder Macbeth acknowledges his tumultuous fortune, “in time will venom breed/no teeth for th’present”, yet his hubris blinds him into a false sense of security suggesting that danger is not yet imminent. He seems to believe that he can formulate a scheme to supersede his dangerous fortune as he plants to meet the murders again “tomorrow we’ll hear ourselves again”.
The murder of Duncan was a moment of _________ for Macbeth (a sudden reversal of fate) yet this is not confirmed until the murder of Banquo ensues.
peripeteia
Analyse this quote: “make our faces vizards to our hearts”
It appears the power dynamic between the Macbeths begins shifting in this act, Macbeth begins echoing the former sentiments of Lady Macbeth, suggesting he has extrapolated her evil. He claims they must “make our faces vizards to our hearts” which is reminiscent of “look like the 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 and his wife. 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 epitomise the truth that he is disrupting the natural order. This quote extends the idea of appearances vs. reality as “vizards” suggests they should wear masks to conceal their true evil nature.
Analyse this quote: “I am in blood/Stepp’d in so far that should I wade no more, returning were as tedious”
Previously, the “blood” (which is a motif for the consequences of murder) was merely on his hands, yet now it has enrobed his entire body, and by extension his entire sense of being. He admits that 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 his means of self-preservation.
Analyse: “be innocent of the knowledge, dearest chuck”
It is ironic that Macbeth now overpowers Lady Macbeth through feminine epithets which belittle her, much as she previously did to him. This perfectly portrays the role reversal between the Macbeths.
Analyse this quote: “O, full of scorpions is my mind, dear wife!”
“scorpions” are poisonous, representing how Macbeth’s ambition has poisoned his mind- he is consequently plagued by guilt and remorse. As it is “full” it highlights he has been completely engulfed with guilt and mercy. Moreover, the metaphor of a creature festering in his mind shows that his tyrannical nature has been so omnipotent, he now resembles more of a savage creature than a moral human.
Analyse this quote: “He hath wisdom that doth guide his valour to act in safety” (about Banquo)
Banquo is the antithesis to Macbeth as Macbeth embodies reckless power, whereas Banquo has self-constraint and control. Macbeth is envious (7 deadly sin) of Banquo’s ability to restrain his ambition and refrain from over-indulgence into “deep desires”.
Analyse this quote: “thou canst not say I did it. Never shake thy gory locks at me!”
- The exclamative utterance demonstrates the fact that Macbeth believes that by intimidation he can control not only people, but also ghosts and spirits. However, the ghost does not respond to this demand, which shows that even those in power cannot control the supernatural. This was perhaps a message to the nobles of King James’ court. Shakespeare wanted to remind them that evil spirits - as ghosts were seen at the time - needed divine help to be cast out. Jacobean audiences would infer that Macbeth could not cast away the image of the ghost because he had left God, who alone had the power to cast out demons. This message would please King James, who had strong faith in the power of the Christian God.
- “gory” is suggestive that Banquo’s ghost is a physical manifestation of his violence. Structurally, the murderers enter the banquet before Macbeth, exacerbating how his kingship is unnatural as he’s disrupted the divine right of kings.
