MACBETHAct Three Scenes I - VI

‘To be thus is nothing, But to be safely thus’

- Macbeth [Act III Scene 1]

Please write down your interpretation of this line on the worksheet.

Macbeth as King

• Duncan was found dead and the alarm was raised. Macbeth talks endlessly about how he is suffering over Duncan’s death (Which may be true!)

• During the final scene of Act II (Scene 4), an old man and Ross stand outside the castle to discuss the strange natural phenomena that took place.

• The accepted facts at that point of time was: – The two grooms killed Duncan;

– Malcolm and Donalbain ran away because they were guilty;

– And that the two grooms were hired by Malcolm and Donalbain.

– Macbeth had been chosen king and would be crowned at Scone;

– But Macduff would not attend the coronation.

A painting of Scone Palace in Scotland, where Scottish kings were crowned. Malcolm makes reference to Scone at the end of Macbeth.

The coronation chair at Scone, where kings were crowned while sitting in the chair. It represents their sacred kingship, the Divine Right. Notice the stone placed between the chair’s seat.

The Stone of Scone is also called ‘The Stone of Destiny’. Famous legends were spun around this stone, including the Sword in the Stone, where King Arthur pulled a sword from the stone, a power that showed he was the rightful king.

Thus, Macbeth became King.

• Remember the ideas of: – The Divine Right– The grave sin of Regicide (King-killing)– Resistance to the crown is treason

• The ideas apply themselves to Macbeth’s situation as well, even though, we, as the audience, know that Macbeth did the exact opposite of these ideas, and even if Macbeth gained the throne by foul means.

Act III Scene 1• The scene opens with Banquo, who is

definitely not stupid. • He comments that all the predictions have

come true for Macbeth, but he fears that Macbeth engaged in foul play to make it so.

• However since the prophecy was also that he would be the father of kings, he has hope yet.

Act III Scene 1• Trumpets announce Macbeth’s coming as

king. Macbeth reminds Banquo of that evening’s feast, at which Banquo is to be the chief guest.

• Macbeth began paying compliments to Banquo and talked to him about the next day.

• However, Macbeth asks Banquo three crucial questions, the first of which is:

‘Ride you this afternoon?’‘Are you riding out this afternoon?’

• You should know by now Macbeth has other plans for Banquo. Can you figure out what the other two questions are?

• The two remaining questions were:

‘Is’t far you ride?’‘How far will you ride?’

‘Goes Fleance with you?’‘Is Fleance going with you?’

• By now, we know of Macbeth’s plans as the next scene comes on, we see Macbeth sending for two men who are waiting outside the palace gate at his command.

• While waiting, Macbeth begins a soliloquy to express his fear of Banquo, whose valour and ability promise that the witches’ prophecy concerning him will be fulfilled.

• Macbeth tells the murderers that Banquo is the cause of troubles that has befallen them, and informs them Banquo is also his enemy.

• He gives them information to waylay Banquo and his son Fleance.

Let’s look at Banquo.

• Banquo has often been criticised for moving aside and allowing Macbeth to become king, and being an accessory to murder even though he had suspicions.

• What are two or three possible reasons you think why Banquo did not choose to stop Macbeth?

• 1) Ambition. – He thought he would be rewarded later and he would

become the father of kings if he lets things carry on, just like Macbeth’s accession to the throne.

• 2) Hesitation.– He is unsure of his facts and only has suspicions. It was

wrong to conspire or rebel against any king.

• 3) Fear. – If he moved against Macbeth, Macbeth might have taken

it to be Banquo trying to fulfill his own prophecy.

Macbeth’s Feelings• Get into pairs, and think silently about five

different emotions that Macbeth has throughout this scene.

• Eg: Fear, Guilt, Anger ...• You will be given two minutes to mime the

emotions to your partner, who will write them down. You are not allowed to speak.

• Do not tell your partner the correct answer. • Your partner gets a turn. Then compare your

answers.

Homework• This homework covers Act III Scene 1 – Scene 4.

– Scene 1: Macbeth speaks with the murderers.– Scene 2: Lady Macbeth speaks to Macbeth. – Scene 3: The murderers kill Banquo. – Scene 4: Banquo’s appearance as a ghost at

Macbeth’s banquet. • Your task is to write a diary entry as Macbeth,

after the events of the night. • You must attempt to convey his emotions and

thoughts with accuracy.

‘To be thus is nothing, But to be safely thus’

- Macbeth [Act III Scene 1]

Please write down your interpretation of this line on the worksheet.

‘To be thus is nothing, But to be safely thus’

- Macbeth [Act III Scene 1]

Loosely translated, it is:

To be the king is nothing, if I am not safe as the king.

This quote is important because it is Macbeth declaring his intentions, saying that it is not enough that he is king, he must take steps to secure his kingship.

He will now devote himself entirely to securing his safety and will not hesitate to do anything worse.

The changes in Macbeth

• Macbeth has changed yet again.

• Briefly: Brave warrior > Indecisive man > Regretful murderer > Ruthless tyrant.

Macbeth’s Feelings• Macbeth thinks if he can get rid of Banquo, he will

rest securely. • He thinks he has planted the idea of king-killing,

since he has done it himself. • He is ultra-guilty as he killed Duncan.

So why does he want to kill again (Banquo, Lady Macduff & her son)?

Shakespeare’s tragedies were influenced by Aristotle’s original theory of tragedy in Ancient Greek Theatre.

Aristotle argued that for a story to be tragic, it must have a protagonist that is

admirable but deeply flawed, so that the

audience will be able to sympathize the

character’s journey and eventual fall…

Typically this fall reflects a transition from power, authority, success to depression and eventually death.

According to Aristotle’s theory, a tragedy must provoke pity in the audience to be considered truly tragic.

The Question is: Does Macbeth deserve pity, for the raging ambition that drove him to murder so many people in such brutal ways?

Oedipus, a Greek king who starred in his own tragedy by killing his father and marrying his mother!!

Act III Scene 2

• The scene switches to Macbeth’s partner-in-crime, his wife.

• We see that she shares the same insecurity and fear of Banquo.

• A servant mentions to Lady Macbeth that Banquo will return that evening.

• The irony here is that Banquo does return, but in a form that is more frightening to Macbeth than ever. This is an example of Shakespeare using the techniques of irony and foreshadowing.

• The conversation between Lady Macbeth and her husband reveals a great change in the relationship between them.

Before • Macbeth addresses his wife lovingly. • He allows his wife to take charge and she plots Duncan’s murder. • They speak of the murder in straightforward tones and openly. • She insults his manhood and calls him a coward.

After •Macbeth still addresses her as lovingly as before;• But he has taken charge and plotted on his own to kill Banquo. • He hints of it but does not reveal it to his wife. • She no longer addresses him scornfully but tries to comfort him.

• Again, before he does a sinful deed, Macbeth once again uses the imagery of night. – He calls upon night to sew up “the tender eye of

pitiful Day”;

– Night begins to fall and Macbeth looks out at it and imagines all of nature falling asleep, and

– Refers to “Night’s black agents” rousing themselves once more.

The Duality of Day & Night

• Get out a sheet of A4 paper, and divide the sheet down in half.

• In the first box write ‘Day’ and the second ‘Night’.

• Brainstorm as many associations that come to you.

• Eg. Day is often associated with the colour ‘white’ or the sun.

• These can be drawings, proverbs, words or concepts.

• In Western culture, white and black traditionally symbolise the ideas of good and evil, and is related to the ideas of light and dark.

• In Shakespeare, everything that is evil is symbolised by night. Macbeth commits his crimes by night, and often imagines the dark to ease him into his sins.

• In poetic terms, darkness usually signals shadows, evil, depression, death.

• Religions and beliefs also portray darkness as evil and a horrible place.

Act III Scene 2

• Lady Macbeth says this:

Nought’s had, all’s spent. Where our desire is got without

content. ‘Tis safer to be that which we destroy. Than by destruction dwell in doubtful

joy.

The Third Murderer

• Who is the third murderer?

• In the SRT play we watched, the third murderer was Lady Macbeth. This is the director’s choice to portray Lady Macbeth’s humanity – that she still has some compassion and regret after Duncan’s death.

• Here’s what we know about the 3rd murderer: – He was sent by Macbeth (‘But who did bid thee join with

us? Macbeth’)– He was sent because Macbeth was obviously untrusting

and suspicious. (‘He needs not our mistrust, since he delivers our offices, and what we have to do, to the direction just’)

– He seems familiar with Banquo (‘Almost a mile, but he does usually, so all men do, from hence to the palace gate make it their walk’)

– He seems to recognise Banquo (‘Tis he’)– He is the first to notice that Fleance has escaped (‘There’s

but one down. The son is fled’)

Any guesses?

• Your guess is as good as mine, as no one but Shakespeare knows the identity of the third murderer.

The Ghost of Banquo

• At the banquet, Macbeth sees Banquo’s ghost.

• Despite Lady Macbeth’s efforts to calm him, he cannot hide his terror.

• After a while she gives up and asks the guests to leave.

Banquo’s Ghost

• What is the significance of Banquo’s ghost sitting at Macbeth’s chair, but not another?

• Why is Macbeth the only one who sees Banquo?

• What are the consequences of Macbeth’s ranting?