|
|
|
| Sunday, 05 March 2006 |
 |
|
 |
Magazine |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
|
A/L English Literature Made Easy - Drama : Macbeth by William Shakespeare Macbeth - Act 3 Scene 1 Banquo's character is highlighted in this scene. He tries to verify the fact that Macbeth has almost achieved what the witches prophesied. "Thou hast it now king, Cawder, Glamis" But Macbeth has acted in a foul manner their prophesy " -- It should not stand in the posterity".
Banquo should be the root and father of many kings"setting Banquo 'up in hope'. Macbeth enters as king, Lady Macbeth as queen, Lennox, Ross, Lords, Ladies and attendants. Macbeth welcomes Banquo to the feast and at the same time makes mention of Malcolm and Donalbain as suspects of the king's murder; thus hiding his own guilt "We hear, our bloody cousins are bestow'd In England and in Ireland, not confessing Their cruel parricide ..." Macbeth's repeated mention of tomorrow As" a blind to deceive Banquo and others" " ... But we'll take tomorrow Is it far you ride?" "... with strange invention: but of that tomorrow" Macbeth concentrates on Banquo's royalty of nature" and his valour guided by his wisdom. "There is none but he Whose being I do fear: and under him My Genius is rebuked ..." Recalling to the witches' placing "a fruitless crown" on his head and "a barren sceptre" in his gripe; disturbs Macbeth to extremes inspiring him to get rid of Banquo and his son for he presumed that his cruel action of killing the king has only paved way for Banquo's fortune. "For Banquo's issue have I filed my mind" Macbeth decides to employ a very competent man to spy the best moment to commit the horrible deed. Macbeth advises the two murderers to accomplish a spotless task leaving no "rubs nor botches in the work Fleance his son, that keeps him company, whose absence is no less material to me ..." Act 3 Scene 2 Scene 2 is the palace - Lady Macbeth and a servant enter. Lady Macbeth wants to meet Macbeth for a few minutes reflecting a suggestion of putting an end to Banquo's existence, "why do you keep alone?" Macbeth unfolds the fact that they have only "scotched the snake not killed it" so it will have dangerous effects. Macbeth and his wife will have to live in fear. It is better to be with the dead than to be alive " ... on the torture of the mind to lie In restless ecstasy" Duncan is in his grave lying peacefully nothing could disturb him. But Macbeth is restless, filled with fear that drives him to do more crime. Macbeth requests Lady Macbeth to do her share as the hostess. "And make our faces wizards to our hearts, Disguising what they are". Macbeth's invitation extended to night, personifying 'Night?' for night is the suitable time and the background for the bloody deed. "Good things of day begin to droop and drowse, Whiles night's black agents to their preys do rouse" Killing Banquo and his son "Cancel and tear to pieces that great bond" 'Great Bond', that by which Banquo and Fleance hold their tenure of life. This is the turning point in the play precipitating Macbeth's down fall. "Things bad begun make strong themselves by ill: So, prithee, go with me" The short line marks a pause. Macbeth looks out. Dowden calls this line "the motto of the play. "Macbeth is the tragedy of the twilight and the setting in of thick darkness upon a human soul". Act 3 Scene 3 The setting is a park near the palace. The "Sovereignty" of Macbeth; Banquo suspecting Macbeth to be guilty. Banquo's arrival is supposed to be expected. The three murderers keep watchful quietness awaiting the arrival of Banquo and Fleance. The first murderer assaulting Banquo and Banquo's shouting at his son to 'fly' lest they'd kill him. Fleance's flight marks the downfall of Macbeth standing as the obstacle to Macbeth's sole aim. Act 3 Scene 4 Hall in the palace - Banquet prepared. Enter Macbeth with his wife, Ross, Lennox Lords and attendants. Macbeth requests the guests to take their seats accordingly, extending a hearty welcome. Both sides of the table being even, Macbeth decides to occupy the centre seat. The murderers inform Macbeth about the death of Banquo and that Fleance had escaped. Macbeth's mood changes. "Then comes my fit again: I had else been perfect" He fears that Fleance would take revenge though the snake is dead. "... the worm that's fled Hath nature that in time will venombreed" Lady Macbeth enters and reminds Macbeth to welcome the guests for they look for "ceremonial courtesy which is a relish to the food and without which a gathering is cold and incomplete". When Macbeth is invited by Lennox to occupy his seat, Macbeth sees the ghost of Banquo in his seat creating the most embarrassing situation. Banquo's ghost continues to haunt, making Macbeth lose his control over his own words. Lady Macbeth extending an apology to the guests saying that Macbeth is not well and about her power of authority ruling Macbeth and bringing him back to normalcy. "I drink to the general joy o' the whole table, And to our dear friend Banquo, whom we miss"; The ghost continues to disturb Macbeth re-entering and disappearing. But Macbeth being encouraged by his wife derives ability to suppress his fear of the ghost. Lady Macbeth requests the guests to leave without paying attention "to order" and Lady Macbeth's traditional and hospitable 'good night' prompts the guests to leave the palace. Macbeth becomes anxious to know the reason for Macduff's absence at the banquet. Macbeth's decision to meet the 'Wierd sisters' is extremely strategic. "... for now I am bent to know, By the worst means, the worst" "He's being driven to that pitch of desperation in which suspense is torture and the knowledge of the worst a relief". The whole scene mirrors forth the wicked schemes of Macbeth. He has already touched the extreme torture and through that imagination which his wife had not taken to count". The element of fear haunts Macbeth causing unrest. He fails to restrain from doing crime which eventually paves the way for his downfall. Act 3 Scene 4 depicts clearly Macbeth's extreme anxiety for kingship and to achieve his ends he would "touch the extreme of torture". "Strange things I have in head, that will to hand; Which must be acted'ere they may be scanned". Mrs. C. Ekanayake, Retd. Specialist Teacher Eng. Lit., St. Anne's
College, Kurunegala |
|
| News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security
| Politics | Produced by Lake House |
