macseth > INTRODUCTION Macbeth, son of Sine is the thane of Glamis and a leading Scotish nobleman, He is married to Lady Macbeth He and his wife are chiles, buthave had at least one child die in infancy, a not uncommon fccurrence in the medieval world. Along with Banquo, Macbeth commands the forces of the Scottish king, leading them against enemies foreign ‘and domestic. Macbeth, in some ways, comes across 835 the perfect medieval lord, exhibiting ferocity on ‘the battleiold and kindness oft. But his character, 88 we shall see, is marred by a steak of Vaulking mbit that will lead to his doom. (172 > FEARLESS WARRIOR ‘Through eportsofthe ball delivered by Rossandthe wounded Captain, we ae given a vivid impression of Macbeth’ capabilities as asolier He exhibitextraor- dlinary physical courage onthe bate +The Captain describes how Macbeth, showing litle regard for his own personal safety, stepped forward into the rebel ranks and ‘arved out his passage until he faced Macdonald himself. 2302 +The Capiain refers to him as ‘brave Macbeth emphasising that through this exploit alone Ihe has earned this tite: “well he deserves that + The Captain uses personification to describe -Macheths bravery. IF Valoue was a person then Macbeth would be his ‘minion, his favourite servant or assistant, (121%) +The Thane of Ross stresses Macheths courage by deseribing him as the pactner of Bellona, the goddess of wars "that Bellona’ bridegroom, lapped in proof 254 ‘These btlficld reports lead us to. envisage Macbeth asa gifted swordsman, one who wields Nis “erandished sto! with trrifying efficacy ashe cuts through the enemy ranks, until he confronts their ‘commander and bests him in single combat. (12172) Macbeth alsocomesacrossasresciteandtermined Ignoring how luck appeated to be on the side of macseth tem i ei ngs Kana sot neh say mot ity Macctonale and his rebel hordes, he fought on uni the ide had ened once more. 2167 No sooner had ‘Macbeth wen this bloody and no doubs exhousting victory than he faced a second onslaught this ime from the Norwegian forces. Macbeth, hoviewer, ws undismayed by this scemingly disastrous turn of ‘vents IF anything he was energised by the challenge ofthis roth saul .2 9-5 He fought on undantd confronting this new enemy with even gree ferocity than he did the frst he ‘doubly rout strokes upon the foe (1229), Wsalsoworthnoting that Macbeth exhibitsextra inary ferocity on the battlefield, The Captain who we imagine is a man well accustomed (© bloodshed and slaughter, seems taken aback by the violence with which Macbeth confronted his ‘opponents He struggles to describe or explain the ferocity he witnessed, referring to baths of blood and the execution of Christ on Goigotha ‘meant tabathe in rseking wounds/ Or memorize another Golgoths, 1229-4 > BURNING AMBITION Macbeth’ ferocity on the battlefield is matched by. the intensity of his ambition. According to Lady Macbeth, he wants to be ‘great’ and desires the Power and prestige that come with being king of ‘Scotland, (1) Lady Macbeth reinforces this point when she siys that her husband is ‘not without ambitions (516)Indy Macbeth reinforces our sense of her husbandl’s fone-sianding ambitions, describing how he Mciders the kingship to be ‘the ornament of He themes important and desirable thing in the world {in She implies that in the past both she and her fhosbend have spent a great deal of time discussing fis ambition, deliberating how and when be might eventually ston Scotland’ throne...) Macbeth, he suggests, has often expressed this ‘desire’ for fgresiness, describing, in one of the play's mary Sething metaphors, how hes dressed (himself? in the ‘hope’ that he might one day be king. (7354) She claims that in the past he's ‘sworn’ to make bis kingship a reality, pledging to bring about the ireumstances through which he might ascend t the throne. 7385) itis unclear whether Macbeth and Lady Macbeth have given serious consideration “to actualy murdering Duncan and seizing the throne. Her femarks in Act 1 Scene 7 suggest that they have fle so, that they have been waiting for just such an opportunity 7512) Bat her earlier remarks suggest that inher opinion, Macbeth is only willing to seek teivancement in an honourable fashion: "What thou trouldst highly/ That woulds show halily Pothaps they have discussed such a radical course of ction im only an idle manner All this explains Macbeth’s extreme reaction to the Witches’ prophecies, why he responds to their seemingly aie or postive prediction with fear and arm. (1150) No sooner have the Witches predicted thot he will be king ‘hereafter’ than he becomes ‘rapt witha, lapsing intoatrancelke state (49,50) ‘The Witches’ words touch on his darkest and most Private desires and temptations Mocbeth's ambition is evident in his desire to learn more about the Witches and their prophecies, as if he's eager to learn how or when hs ascent to the kingship might be achieved: ‘Stay, you imperfect speakers tll me more — Speak, I change you" 308 7) He wishes they stayed” instead of disappearing Soh might have been able to question them further. His aspirations are naturally ramped up a notch when he leaens that the first prediction has been fulfilled and that he is now Thane of Cawdor. He ‘wonders if Banquo shares his sense of hope and expectation regarding the prophecies now that ene oftheir forecast has come to pass:’Do You not hope {your children shal be kings (12115 Macbeths soliloquy towaed the end of the scene provides fuller exploration of his ambitions. Macbeth, now that one of the Witches’ prophecies has been fulfilled, inds himselfertertaining the idea ‘of murder, The terrible ‘suggestion’ of murdering Duncan is one he ant help but yield to, a notion he suddenly cant get out of his mind. 1139) He finds that he can think of nothing other than becoming king: ‘nothing is! But what is not. (31012) The situation that actaly exists Gtanding with his fellow thanes upon the basted heath) seems unreal and arifcial. Mesnvshile, a situation that docst factually exist (ha! of him sting on the throne of Scotland) seems incredibly real. For Macbeth, then, the kingship is all hat matters. Everything else in lie seems fake and unimportant, > HONOURABLE ANE KN But Macbeth, for all his ferocity and ambition, is fundamentally kind and. decent human being Lady Macbeth emphasises that he is ull oti fof human kindness, that his personality i devoid fof wickedness, (510) (This softer side of Macbet’s ature ie evident when he addresses Lady Macbeth as My dearest love indicating the intense affection he has for her) Lady Macbeth ako stresses her husband's keen sense of honour, stressing that he ‘wouldst not play false; would not act in a manner tha’ dishonour- able or criminal. (518) While he desires the high “office of kingship he wants to gain i in a holy or moral manner ‘what thou wouldst highly) That ‘wouldst thou holy (5175) She claims that he lacks the ‘ilness' or wickedness that should accompany his ambition in one to make ta reality. (15167 ‘Macbeth, his wifesuggests i not gen to ying and cheating Lady Macbeth describes how her husband's fexpression and demeanour tend to reveal what hes thinking, indicating that this is someone unpractised in the ways of deception: "You face, my Thane, is as 8 book where men/ May read strange matters. 1550 Macbeth, then, isnot @ natural born murderer, The thought of murdering Duncanand seizing thethrone asmakes him deeply uncomfortable on both a physical fd poychological evel. i's if he's suklenly ben Strack down By an epileptic ft or panic attack: + These thoughts of murder cause his hairtostand fon end: ‘Whose horrid image doth unfix my hat’ 208 1+ They cause his heat to best willy against his ribcage in an uinatural fashion: ‘And make my Seated heart knock ay rbs/ Against the use of + They shake or undermine his psychological wellbeing or mental sate, his ‘singe state of man’ 'My thought. Shakes so my’single state of mary (131940) «+ His ability to function asa normal human being is smothered’ by’ this surmise by the ides that ‘enining the throne in such a bloody fashion is Tikely or possible: ‘that fancion Is smothered in Macbeth is terrified that he actually might be Copuble of commiting such an appalling crime. He's ‘Gisgusted and ashamed by the horrid image’ of him ‘murdering Duncan, by these ‘horrible imaginings that suddenly il his ming. (815.139, But he seks comfortby reminding himself that these Present fears’ have yet to come to pas. (2127 H thoughts may revolve around a terrible murder, but sa murder that's stil fantastical” or imaginary: Preset fear Are les than hoeribl imaginings’ My thought, whose murder yets but fantastical (317 Initilly, then, Macbeth decides to watch and wait and let events run their course. For who knows what tight happen? ‘Come what come may) Time and the hour runs through the roughest day’. (13467) I's posible afterall, that he might inherit the crown when Duncan eventally passes away. Hemightend Up as King of Scotland without having to take such ‘lent action, or indeed take any action ata: ‘If ‘hance will have me king, why chance may crown, ime Without my str 0315-4 Macbeth, however, is not permitted the luxury of watching. and wating, For events begin to move Auickly. Firstly; Duncan nominates Malcolm as his hei. We will establish our estate upon/ Our eldest, Malcolm. 14) This makes it extremely likely that if Duncan ics of natural causes, Maclin Succeed him fo the throne. Macbeth therefor, no Tonger has the kowury of sitting ily by of waiting for Duncan to pass away. If he is to become king rot only Duncan but also Malcolm must somchow be eliminated ‘that isa staf On which I must fl down, or ele olerdeap’ 448°) Malcolns nominations followed by another sun and crucial tur of events, as Duncan does Macbath the great honour of staying in his castle that night ‘Macbeth realises that Duncan willbe ufteriy at his mercy. Suddenly be has not only the motivation, but the opportunity for murder. What only moments fg were horrible imaginings now seem very re We should remind ourselves, however, that Macbeth isfar from comfortable with the idea of murder. We Sense that he Is ashamed ofthese “black and deep Gesires' and he wants to remain hklden from others from the workl and even, perhaps, from his own ‘conscious mind. (14519 > WEY MONENT MACBETH DILEMMA Macbetvs key moment aries when Duncan snd the other keds are enjoying a fost in tho great hall of Moxbets ele. We can imagine a bony, elebraony sffai, Dura and is thas ona high fer the double wicory over Macdonald and. ever the Norwegian Fnwaders We can imagine the assembled nobles singing the praises of Mabel exploits on the bt, Macbeth, howeves, has left the celebration. Lady Macbeth warned him that he must Took like the time! that he must exhibit a sunny and cheerful demeanour suited to this joyous occasion. (5 For Macteth, however, such deception doesnt come natraly. He broods aloe in a chamber near the great tall, wondering if he is capable of killing, Duncan and seizing the throne. Hee knows that violence breeds violence, that if he ‘murders theking then Duncarsfamily andsupporters will most likely try to Kil him in retribution. Each mune, ne says, is a “Bloody instruction’ th encourages of teaches others to commit similar acts bof bloodshed in etalaton. 0.730) Murderirg Duncan would be a terible breach of trust. Duncan is Macbeth’ “klasman’ or cousinMMACBETH'S TIMELIN (1719) He's also Macbeths king, and as such is 4 Macbeth’ loyalty and service. Furthermore, Duncan is Macbeth’s guest. To kill him would 0 against all the lass of hospitality. As host Macbeth should protect and defend his guests, not sassinate them: 'as his bost/ Who should against his murderer shut the door Not bear the knife myself. (718) Macbeth next focuses on Duncan's personality describing him as an almest saintly king, one utterly uncorrupted by the great power that he wields Duncan, Macbeth says, has all the “aculies’ or powers of kingship at his disposal, But he caries Insel i a ansek” oe humble manner He hasnt let power go to his head. Duncan carries out the great office of kingship being charged with all the duties and responsibilities of state. And he does thisin a ‘lear’ fashion, witha very definite sense of right and wrong (7 Macbeth concludes that he has no real reason to ki Duncan, Thee is nothing to ‘spur im onto commit this terrible at "T have no spur/ To prick the ses of my intent. (1225-6) Only excessive ambition has ‘caused him to consider killing the king: “Vaulting Ambition, which oereaps itself. And such extreme ambition, he realises, can be dangerous. He compares such ambition t0 4 horse that goes ‘vaulting’ over an extremely high fence. The horse in doing so, however, foverextends or ‘oerleaps’ itself, attempting to Jump higher and further than its natural abilities allow, and comes crashing down on the barrier's far side 17274) Macbeth informs his wife that he has decided not to goahead with thisgraly endeavour We will proceed ho further in this busines 1721) Duncan has just been honoured by making him Thane of Cawdor: He hath honoured me of lat. 1772) Furthermore be has earned tne esteem of his peers through his exploits on the battlefield: I have bought/ Golder ‘opinions frm all sorts of people. (17529) He wants to enjoy this new prestige rather than risk losing it by atempting te seize the throne. secuses Macbeth of cowardice, an accusation. he finds irrtatingly implausible. Afr all, he's just exhibited what we can only descrive as superhuman courage on the battlefield, leading Scotlands forces #0 victory against two separate foes ina single day Lady Macbeth, in response Lady Macbeth knows her husband well and is capable of ‘pressing his buttons in ore to get him to do what she wants. ls especially notable how she jets under Macteth’s skin by suggesting that he's all talk and no actin: + Hess ike a an who gets drunk, makes ll kinds ‘of thieats ard promises, falls asleep then wakes ‘green and pale’ with a hangover. 1737) Such a drunkard willsheepishly atempttoback outothe pledges that he made while under the influence. “Macbeth she implies is similarly pathetic in his efforts to back out of killing Duncan ‘+ Hiscdesires are great. Buti actions, and the evel cof courage he exhibits through those actions, ‘make him unworthy to achieve such goals ’Azt thou afeard) Tobe the same in thine own act and valour! As thou art in deste? (1739-1)a compares him to the ‘scaredy cat’ in the ws flktae, who wanted to snatch is from If seizing the throne means being a beast, then “Macbeth was happy to bea “bean the past, hen they idly spoke about eliminating Duncan. fe was mote than willing to be influenced by this beastly aspect of his nature during their previo dliscussions, when seizing the throne seemed a remote possibilty. So why, now that their ambition might ectually be realised, is he denying this beast She also skilfully appeals to Macbelhs sense of manliness Macbeth, she ay, wil then he kills Duncan and claims the throne: ‘Wher yout durst doit then you were a man. (730) Asa king, Macbeth would achieve true greatness, becoming ‘more’ than he ever was before. 173) With the royal cepte in his grip he would “Be so much mere the man, the most manly man imaginable Lady Macbeth’s persuasion also involves injecting a sense of urgency into proceedings. She deseribes how inthe past when sheand her husband fant together about seizing the throne, it seemed it would never be the right time or place for such a move ‘Nor time nor place/ Did then adhere 12512) But Macbeth swore he would about to create such an opportunity: and yet you would make bot Now, completely unexpectedly, the perf ‘opportunity has fallen ino herlaps time ond plage Thave made themselves, (7513) She SURES tap Macbetivs response to this good fortune s phate he posibil held ambition, threatens to “unmake” bin ies overcorre with performance anxiety ike soc player freezing infront of an open goa of sucess of elisng his most fondly Lady Macbeth, then, emphasises that she and her husband are confronted with a ticking clock. This may be the only night Duncan ever spends under theie roof, the only night hel ever beso vulnerable, So they can seize the moment and murder they ean let this golden opportunity slip awa they must cecde right here, right now before its too late to put ther plan into action. According to Lady Macbeth, i her husband fails to capitalise on this chance to seize the crown hel regret i forever, cursing his own cowardice for the rst of his days ‘Ad live a coward in thine own esteer The key mement occurs in line 9 of Act 1 Scene 7 where Macbeth wonders what will happen #9 them if ther plan to kill Duncan goes wong? If we shoul fai All of a sudden, Macbeth is no longer Concerned with the wrongness of killing Duncan Now hes only worried about what will thom if they get caught Ie often painted out that Lady Macbeth persuades her husband too easily that in the space of & Tines Macbeth ths busines to being ally on board with the pl 1731) We wense, however, that Macbeth actu wants to be persuaded, He wants someone to sto ces from proceeding "no farther ONG > PSYCHOLOGICAL INTENSITY Act 1 canchdes with Macbeth fully commited fssasinatrg Duncan: ‘Lam settle 720) We sense however, tht he will find the murder difficult tg: through with, For he regards this “tribe feat’ wit read rather than anticipation, (7s) He must focus fon each limb and msc, Each corporal agent with the greatestof concentration, asife'forcinghisbody to go againt ll his instincts andSure enough, as he prepares to carry out this ferible deed, we age presented with a man who fs payched himself up to an exteanedinary level of intensity. He describes how his brain feels feverish for heatoppressi’ 140) He even suffers a halluc ation of the blood-splatered dagger. 21.319) He realises that if he doesnt act now be will never gain be inthe right state of mind. He worries that thinking or talking foo much will diminish the pitch ‘of mental resolve he has managed to muster (25 Feshaps there is a part of Macbeth that hopes he will get caught before he can actually carry out the nude. He declares his hope thatthe stones won't five him away, but we sense that there isa part of his psyche that actually wants tobe apprehended, so fhe wont haveto back down but also wen’thave oo through with this terrible deed. 21.589 >> DSASSOCIATION ‘As the poet Brendan Cleary has pointe out, Macbeth ‘ispays clas signs of psychological disassociation fn these scenes as if he’ trying to distance himself rom his own actions. As be prepares till Duncan ‘Macbeth imagines murder asa force or personality thats active inthe nighttime world. 21557) I’sasit murder possesses or act through Macbeth, making, him fel less responsible for his own actions. ‘And in the crime’s aftermath he cant associate Dimlt with the terrible act he's ust commited "To now my deed, ‘were best not know myself. 2273 His blood-stained hands seem to belong to somcone lse:"What hands ae here 0259 ‘The hallucination of the dagger serves a similar function. The dagger appears to be leading him towards Duncan’ chamber, as though forces beyond his control were causing him to commit this terrible ime. 21.5) Macbeth also describes the night as a time when great evil is abroad and unnatural acts occur, making it seem thatthe terrible deed be is sbout to commitis almost normal. 17), > AGITATION ‘The attermath of Duncan's murder, too, stresses that ‘hough Macbeth has carted out a terrible crime he is no cold-blooded killer, He so traumatised by the det hes committed that he enters a disturbed and agitated sate of mind. He forgets abasic detail ofthe plan taking the murder weapons with him instead ff laving them next tothe seeping grooms 2247-9 Macbeth’s agitated state of mind is also evident fn the auditory hallucinations he experiences. He claims to have heard a voice crying out again and again, chiding him for his crime and warning that he will never sleep again ‘Silt cried ‘Seep no more’ toll the house’2240 A further sign of his mental dlsturbance isthe fact that he stati bythe sound ofthe knocking onthe gate, Macbeth iso jumpy that every noise sees to unnerve and unset: How it with me, when every noise appals me?" 025 > RENORSE Almost immediatly, then, Macbeth is overwhelmed with remorse forthe atrocity he has just committed. Throughout the scene Macbeth reveals his intense guilt in different ways ‘+ Macbeths guilt is particularly evident in his reaction to the sight of Duncan’ blood on his hands. He declares his blood-stained hands to be fs sorry sight. (221%) As we noted, he is so filled wit gui that he believes the Blood on his hhands will never be washed away (225040) 4+ Weralso evisent when he decianes that he was ‘unable to pronounce the wordAmen’ Macbeth i ‘ssoms isso puil-stricke by histerblecrime that ‘eis unable Bring him to pray. Yet the lines might also suggest thatthe act Macbeth carried ‘ut was 80 evi 80 repulsive to heaven, that God Ihmself has removed his ability to pray 22202 + His guilt and remorse are event n his intuition that he will never again beable to sleep propery a4) He senses that in killing the sleping Duncan he has destroyed his own ability to seep. ‘+ Macboths sricken conscience is also evident when he refuses to return the daggers. He's 50 ‘overwhelmed by the enormity of the act he has just commited that he cannot bring himself to face Duncans butchered corpse. Much of what Macbeth says immediatly after Duncans bedy is discovered expresses his inner feelings of guiltand remorse. He sates that he wishes head died himself an “hour before ths tribe event, thathe would haethen been abe to think that is fe was blesed. 2.45 Now ie seems meaningless and virtues such as honour an rae are ‘dead’ 2317Although Macbeth tells an outright le when he says that he killed Duncan's guards because he could not bear to allow these despicable men to live the ‘description of his emotional turmoil when he save Duncan's corpse in the light of day is probably close to the truth "his gashed stabs looked like abreach in nature/ For ruins wasteful entrance’ 231067) Pechape te greatest statement of Macbeth’s remorse ‘comes atthe end of Act 2 Scene 2, when he wishes that the knocking atthe gate could somehow wake Duncan "Wake Duncan with thy knocking: would thou couldst; 0275) Macbeth, it seems, desperately wishes he could undo his evil deed and bring Diancan back oie > DESIRE FOR LESTIMACY Things work out well for Macbeth in the wake of Duncan's marder. Malcolm and Donalbain fle the country, fearful that they will be the next victims fof @ conspiracy that has claimed ther father’ lie (eat) In Act 2 Scene 4 we learn that thei light has made them lok gully. I is generally believed that they bribed the guards to murder their father, 0 that they could claim the throne for themselves, (24247) With Malcolm and Denalbain out of the picture, Macbeth, being Duncan's cousin, finds Fimself elected King, He travels to Seone, where he is formally invested with the tie. 31-2) When we next meet Macbeth in Act 3 Scene 1, he has returned from his coronation and i setting into his fe as king He establishes a counsel of state, on which he asks Banquo to serve (1202) He concerns himself, a any monarch would, with the day-to«day running ofthe country He declares formal banquet fr Solemn supper to celebrate his coronation. (1:3 ‘This will be an important occasion the frst public cuting forthe Macbeths as the king and queen of Scotland. He wants to appear as a gracious ruler, giving his hanes a day off, unl they reconvene for the night’ Festivities. 0.140) Macbeth, we note is keen to propagate the theory that Malcolm and Dosalbain were responsible for their fathers murder, He describes how the brothers have “bestowed” themselves in England and in Ireland. (1129-25 We sense that this isa story 250 be repeat a every given opportunity 35 a suspicion away from himself Macbeth desire, the {stobea legitimate king + He doess't want people thinking. that he murdered his way tothe throne + He wants to minimise any further Bloodshed {and, i there is any further Bloodshed, Macbeth doesnot want tobe link 9 i, + Hee wants to govern as anormal king + Hewantstobe respected, and maybe even by his subjects love ‘There must, however, be whisperings amongst the thanes of Macbeth’ role in Duncan's murder Duncan, after al, was murdered in Macbethis caste. Furthermore, Macbeth only offered the fimsies of excuses for murdering the guardsto ensure that th ‘could not speak about the crime. Macbeth himself Gescribes how in exile Malcolm and Donalbain fre ‘ili their hearers! With strange invention {3131-2 We can assume that the brothers are pointing the finger at Macbeth. Macduff, oo, registers his suspicions when he fuses to attend the coroatio 15) Other thanes must alo have thelr doubts In this regaed, however, Hime is on Macbeth’ side For as the months and years of his reign go by ane he becomes established a a good and honourable King, suspicions about his possible role in Duncan's murder will become less and less relevant t0 the ‘court and the country a large > PARANCIA AND INSECURITY However those like Macheth who murder their way to power seldom enjoy a peaceful reign, Instead such rulers are often plague by fear and insecurity Seeing threats everywhere, Macbeth, using the royal we, describes the intense paranoia that grips Ihim even at this earliest stage of his reign. He eats ‘each meal in feat, tried that when be sits dowen to dine someone is literally going to stab him in the back 021%) His nights are afflicted by ‘terrible dreams, no doubt filled with images of Duncan's family avenging Macbeth’s terrible crime, (321821 He describes how his mind is tortured by a ‘restless ecstasy, a state of exhausting mental agitation. (22234) As he memorably puts itn Act 3 Scene 4 heis ‘bined, cribbed, confined, bound in Te saucy doubts and fears 6.2245)fat M rz beth, gripped the thesnaketo describe those who currently with such paranola, uses cee isle, or might do so a some tne in the In murdering Duncan and framing his sn, ched or wounded the snake, bt he ) For Macbeth sl has potent ont ot there who might conspire csribes, therefor, how he remains in danger of ow it lithers ever ‘Shell lose, and be herself 2.2 jser to him in weadiness to ally Banquo becomes the focus of Macbeth’s anoia. Banguo, he says, isthe only person who atens his reign: There isnone but he/ Whose being feo e desrtes how his fear of Bango nents him. Hisinsecriis regarding Banquo stick 2 int his psyche, ike thoens tormenting his lsh He tells Lady Macbeth that hisfests of Banquo family torte him like ‘ A GREATER COMFORT WIT DECEPTION Macbeth, as Lady Macbeth points out in Act 1 isn’t someone who is naturally piven to deception. Those around him, she says, are capable of reading him like a book: "Your face, my Thane, asa book where ‘men/ may read strange matters 15-4) Macbeth, however, rapidly becomes practised in the arts of deception We can trace this back to Act 2 Scene 3, when he pretended to be confused and sucprised at the discovery of Duncan's corpse: ‘Whats the matter What is you say the life” (25%, 50 It was also {vdent in his feeble and improvised explanation for his decision to murder ing groomsmen. @01-) twas also arguably present ment for Duncan's passing bul, as we noted above, this speech also contained in his up in Act 3: 119) This use of deception is tampa + Macbeth makes a big show of declaring Bangug chief guest at the coronation feast, though Ae {intends to have his old friend. assossneing before the celebrations take place: Fail not our feast 0 + He also makes enquiries about Banquo plans for the afteroon, asking if Banquo intends ty i riding and if he intends to take Fleance with him, ‘+ He lis to the murderers, convincing them hat Banquois their enemy and has made thei ies misery, though we suspect hatin eality that it is Macbeth who has dane so ‘+ He instuets Lady Macbeth to pay Banquo the greatest of respect that night on the of-chance that Banquo survives the marder attempt and rakes ito the feast 02.0 Macbeth emphasises the importance of deception, reminding his wife that they must make their f "Vizard to [their hearts disguising what they (6237 Such dissembling is essential until the make themselves secure upon the throne, > NORE PRCACTIVE In Act 1 Macbeth was reactive rather than pronctive He was someone caught up not only in quickly ‘moving eves butalzo his wife's forceful persuasion, Ie eas Lacy Macbeth, not Macbeth himselt, who concocted the plan to murder Duncan and who very much ook the ead in that grisly affair and in ity aftermath In Act 3, however, Macbeth becomes increasingly proactive in his crimes. Again, we can trace this bec to Act 2 Scene 3, when he seemingly spontaneously decced to ill the sleeping groom 2 development not previously discussed with his partner in crime, 2399 1) [Now Macteth starts 1o operate with increasing independence from his wife. He eetsthe Murderers ‘on two separate occasions, persuading them (0 assassinate Banquo, and arranges forthe murder to be carried oat atthe most opportune time and place Lady Macbeth is entirely ignorant ofthese develop- ‘ments’Be innocent ofthe knowledge, dearest chuck Til thow applaud the deed. (2248 Ina reversal of thele previous positions, itis Lady Macbeth who