Discuss the banqueting scene in Macbeth
Give an account of the banqueting scene. What does this scene tell us about the characters of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth? What aspects of the scene promote dramatic effectiveness? The play, Macbeth was probably created by Shakespeare in 1603-06 when James I was the King, it was published in 1623 which was 7 years after Shakespeare's death. All the information and dialogue in Macbeth will not be historically correct because Shakespeare had to write Macbeth with the King in mind so he could get in his good books. There is plenty of evidence of this in Macbeth for example; there are various compliments in reference to the King's ancestors, pays homage to James I fascination with witches and explores themes which the King enjoys and finds important such as loyalty and kingship. Banquo was King James's ancestor so Shakespeare had to keep this in mind also when writing Macbeth. Just before the Banqueting scene Macbeth had been troubled, as the witches had told him that Banquo's descendants would become Kings. So Macbeth arranges Banquo and his son to be murdered whilst they are out together riding on their horses. Macbeth persuades the two murderers that Banquo is their enemy and he is better off dead and if they carry out the
As the scene previous to Act 3 Scene 4 was a unhappy, distressing murder and this scene at the beginning is very upbeat cheerful and happy as it is a celebration. Shakespeare has portrayed Macbeth as the bad guy. Macbeth and his wife had arranged the banquet because they wanted to show off their new leading roles as King and Queen. The main dramatic effect in this scene I think, is when Banquo's ghost is revealed to the audience. dirty deed they would have shown Macbeth that they are proper men. ' Macbeth was the dominant of the relationship at the beginning but as the scene progressed Lady Macbeth became the one which held the situation together. There is a big dramatic change of setting from the previous scene to this one. As soon as the Lords go Lady Macbeth comforts her husband as he talks about the murders and the situation he is now involved in. All the work and effort that Lady Macbeth put into this scene at the end was emotionally, physically and very psychologically demanding which is probably the reason why we don't see Lady Macbeth sane again for the remainder of the play. I will tomorrow-And betimes I will-to the weird sisters. The more Macbeth shouts his rage at the ghost the more Lady Macbeth's energy is used up. At the end of the play the audience could also predict what the future for Macbeth was, Act 5 Scene 8 where the audience could have easily guessed from the witches predictions and their knowledge of Macduff that Macduff was born by a caesarean instead of a natural birth. ' At this point Lady Macbeth cannot control Macbeth and the Lords are becoming more suspicious and worried so Lady Macbeth takes control of the situation and orders them all to leave. Macbeth is a very popular play, which everyone will hear about in his or her lifetime. Macbeth recovers from the incident and resolves the situation by proposing a toast to Banquo and his guests.
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