Act 3, Scene 4 (The Banquet Scene)

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Act 3, Scene 4 (The Banquet Scene)

Act 3, Scene 4 is a very important and effective scene and is a turning point for the rest of the play.

        Immediately before the scene was the murder of Banquo, one of Macbeths closest Conrad. And because of this relationship the two had, it makes it an evil and horrible murder as it was Macbeth who demanded it happened. It’s a new type of evil and Macbeths second and deepest step to evil yet.

        This scene is a build up to the one that follows, and creates dramatic tension as the audience asks will Macbeth find it hard to concede guilt and will there be any concience to the evil being that sometime we feel sorry for, Macbeth.

        The Banquet scene is a total contrast to the one before. Good order in the kingdom will be shown if the banquet goes well, Macbeths fait will also be crystal clear by the end and what his future will be, if any at all.

        This scene “symbolises the last supper” in which Jesus was betrayed by one of his disciples, “Judas.” It’s as if we now what’s about to happen. It’s the last time Macbeth will ever sit down with his allies and friends to share food in perfect harmony.

        Some questions are also brought up in this scene. How will the lords react to Macbeth as the unnatural king of Scotland? And will Macbeth be able to cope with his stained guilt.

        In the versions that I have seen on screen the banquet scene always seems to start with a sombre atmosphere and this atmosphere is tainted right from the start by the entrance of the murderers.

“I am cabined, cribbed, confined, bound is

To saucy doubts and fears…”

Macbeth says. Even at the banquet that he has arranged he is surrounded by his evil sins. His guilt has become even harder to conceal. One of the murderers even has blood on his face.

        It’s ironic though because as the murderers entered Macbeth was trying to present himself as a leader in control. And even when Macbeth seems to have order established again something else happens, he can’t control the banquet so how can he control a country.

        Macbeth has become trapped and he is not sorry, in fact he’s self-pitying,

“I had else been perfect”

Macbeth’s fear is conveyed by the powerful rhythm of the poetry on lines 21 to 25. It very strong with one constant beat after another. To me it represents the beating of a heart, which is strong but dies with

But Banquo’s safe”

        The Banquet must go on thought, Macbeth must attempt to create order, which he has already lost at his banquet and asks

“Sit down in order of ranks”

        Tension is increases even more by Lady Macbeth calling Macbeth back to the banquet table. She’s trying to hide Macbeth’s strange behaviour but instead attracts more.

“My royal lord,

You do not give the cheer;”

Not only is lady Macbeth breaking into his thoughts she also tries to bring him back to reality, reminding him of his public duties. Is a man who has private fear able to carry out public duties?

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        The fears I talk about are those that were created from the very beginning with the witched prophecies.

“All hail Macbeth, hail to thee, Thane of Glamis”

“All hail Macbeth, hail to thee, Thane of Cawdor”

“All hail Macbeth, that shalt be King here after”

        After this Macbeth’s world is turned up side down, as he will do anything to achieve the title, which were predicted. Some were given to him others he murdered for. Including his very first, Duncan, the authorisation of the murder of Banquo and later on the authorisation of the murder of Macduffs family.

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