Overview
In Act 3, Scene 4 of Macbeth, a royal banquet is disrupted when Macbeth sees Banquo's ghost, revealing his growing guilt and instability.
The Banquet and News from the Murderer
- Macbeth and Lady Macbeth host a banquet as king and queen for the Lords.
- A murderer arrives and tells Macbeth that Banquo is dead but Fleance has escaped.
- Macbeth decides to pursue Fleance later and returns to the banquet.
Appearance of Banquo’s Ghost
- Macbeth sees Banquo's ghost sitting in his place at the table; only Macbeth can see it.
- Macbeth reacts in fear, confusing the Lords who think he is ill.
- Lady Macbeth tries to explain away Macbeth's behavior and scolds him for being unmanly.
Macbeth’s Reactions and Lady Macbeth’s Response
- Macbeth speaks to the ghost, which then disappears temporarily.
- He attempts to normalize the situation by proposing a toast to Banquo.
- The ghost reappears, causing Macbeth to react again and further disrupt the banquet.
- Lady Macbeth covers for him but senses their control is weakening.
After the Banquet
- The Lords leave after the banquet is ruined by Macbeth's behavior.
- Macbeth tells Lady Macbeth he fears Banquo’s revenge and notices Macduff was absent.
- Macbeth plans to visit the witches to learn more about his future due to his increasing anxiety.
Analysis of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth
- Macbeth starts the scene confident but is shaken by the ghost’s appearance.
- Lady Macbeth believes Macbeth’s vision is a result of guilt, similar to the earlier dagger hallucination.
- The ghost could be a psychological manifestation or a supernatural occurrence; the ambiguity remains.
- Lady Macbeth, previously believing in spirits when convenient, now dismisses them as weakness.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Banquet — a formal meal or feast, here hosted by Macbeth and Lady Macbeth for the court.
- Ghost of Banquo — the spectral figure seen by Macbeth, symbolizing guilt and fear.
- Prophecy — prediction of the future, here referring to the witches' forecasts about Macbeth and Banquo.
- Hallucination — seeing something that is not present, linked to Macbeth’s mental state.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review Act 3, Scene 4 to analyze Macbeth’s psychological decline.
- Note character reactions and the theme of guilt for discussion or essays.