Act 3, Scene 4 – Banquo’s Ghost Appears
The Macbeths host a feast, but it is ruined when Macbeth starts seeing Banquo’s ghost.
“Play the humble host” – Theme: Reality and Appearance
Macbeth is in a good mood because he thinks Banquo and Fleance are being dealt with
by the murderers, so he pretends to be a good host.
“Cabined, cribbed, confined” – Shakespeare’s Techniques
One of the murderers tells Macbeth that Fleance has escaped. This alliteration
emphasises how trapped Macbeth feels. He is fearful because the prophecies about
Banquo’s descendants could still come true and with Fleance alive, Macbeth knows that
his future as king is uncertain.
Macbeth doesn’t notice Banquo at first. This creates suspense – the audience don’t
know how he will react.
The ghost of Banquo sits on Macbeth’s throne – this is a visual and dramatic reminder to
the audience of the Witches’ prophecy that Banquo’s descendants will be kings.
“Thy glory locks at me” – Theme: Supernatural
Banquo’s ghost appears after Macbeth receives the news about Banquo’s death and
Fleance’s escape – it is a symptom of his guilt and anxiety.
In the previous scene, Macbeth envied Duncan because he was at peace, but the ghost
of Banquo suggests to Macbeth, that even in death he won’t be able to rest in peace.
“He will again be well”
Macbeth’s behaviour is so strange that Lady Macbeth has to pretend he is unwell.
“Are you a man?” – Character: Lady Macbeth
Lady Macbeth becomes dominant again by asking Macbeth if he is a man. She thinks his
fears isn’t manly.
“But now they rise again” – Theme: Supernatural
Macbeth comments that the dead now rise again. This emphasise how the natural order
has been disrupted since Macbeth killed Duncan.
“My firm nerves shall never tremble” – Character: Macbeth
Macbeth is physically brave – he is not afraid to face his enemies. But he is scared of
anything he can’t fight like Banquo’s ghost.
“Blood will have blood” – Theme: Fate and Free Will
Macbeth is fearful – he thinks that the murders might be his downfall.
“I am in blood stepped in so far” – Character: Macbeth
Macbeth is despairing here – he doesn’t want to keep killing but he think it is the only
way to secure the throne.
“Strange things I have in head” – Character: Macbeth
Macbeth’s behaviour has become reckless – he is acting impulsively without thinking
things through.
“We are yet but young in evil deed”
The Macbeths are still beginners when it comes to doing evil deeds
The Macbeths host a feast, but it is ruined when Macbeth starts seeing Banquo’s ghost.
“Play the humble host” – Theme: Reality and Appearance
Macbeth is in a good mood because he thinks Banquo and Fleance are being dealt with
by the murderers, so he pretends to be a good host.
“Cabined, cribbed, confined” – Shakespeare’s Techniques
One of the murderers tells Macbeth that Fleance has escaped. This alliteration
emphasises how trapped Macbeth feels. He is fearful because the prophecies about
Banquo’s descendants could still come true and with Fleance alive, Macbeth knows that
his future as king is uncertain.
Macbeth doesn’t notice Banquo at first. This creates suspense – the audience don’t
know how he will react.
The ghost of Banquo sits on Macbeth’s throne – this is a visual and dramatic reminder to
the audience of the Witches’ prophecy that Banquo’s descendants will be kings.
“Thy glory locks at me” – Theme: Supernatural
Banquo’s ghost appears after Macbeth receives the news about Banquo’s death and
Fleance’s escape – it is a symptom of his guilt and anxiety.
In the previous scene, Macbeth envied Duncan because he was at peace, but the ghost
of Banquo suggests to Macbeth, that even in death he won’t be able to rest in peace.
“He will again be well”
Macbeth’s behaviour is so strange that Lady Macbeth has to pretend he is unwell.
“Are you a man?” – Character: Lady Macbeth
Lady Macbeth becomes dominant again by asking Macbeth if he is a man. She thinks his
fears isn’t manly.
“But now they rise again” – Theme: Supernatural
Macbeth comments that the dead now rise again. This emphasise how the natural order
has been disrupted since Macbeth killed Duncan.
“My firm nerves shall never tremble” – Character: Macbeth
Macbeth is physically brave – he is not afraid to face his enemies. But he is scared of
anything he can’t fight like Banquo’s ghost.
“Blood will have blood” – Theme: Fate and Free Will
Macbeth is fearful – he thinks that the murders might be his downfall.
“I am in blood stepped in so far” – Character: Macbeth
Macbeth is despairing here – he doesn’t want to keep killing but he think it is the only
way to secure the throne.
“Strange things I have in head” – Character: Macbeth
Macbeth’s behaviour has become reckless – he is acting impulsively without thinking
things through.
“We are yet but young in evil deed”
The Macbeths are still beginners when it comes to doing evil deeds
