Macbeth is feeling to unsafe and is starting to see stuff where ever he is. Macbeth even start seeing ghosts next to people, and by seeing them, he nearly says all the evil things that he has done. Characters think he is getting crazy. Macbeth not just thinks that, he thinks he has scorpions in his head.
MACBETH
Oh, full of scorpions is my mind, dear wife!Thou know’st that Banquo, and his Fleance, lives.
Macbeth is also trying to persuade himself that killing Banquo is the right thing and that can be seen in this dialogue. Macbeth is trying to find excuses to not kill Banquo himself. This is really strange, because you will not expect that from a soldier who slaughtered thousands of people because he regarded them as enemies to him, so why not do that to Banquo. I personally think he is being weak, lost his confidence, and insecurity.
MACBETHSo is he mine; and in such bloody distanceThat every minute of his being thrustsAgainst my near’st of life. And though I couldWith barefaced power sweep him from my sightAnd bid my will avouch it, yet I must not,For certain friends that are both his and mine,Whose loves I may not drop, but wail his fallWho I myself struck down. And thence it is,That I to your assistance do make love,Masking the business from the common eyeFor sundry weighty reasons.
Do not forget that Banquo is Macbeth’s friend, and killing your friend is not easy at all. And that is what is happening to him. He refuses to tell to his wife that he is about to kill his best friend and his son Fleance, to protect her from the pain, or even because he does not trust her anymore.
LADY MACBETHWhat’s to be done?MACBETHBe innocent of the knowledge, dearest chuck,Till thou applaud the deed. Come, seeling night,Scarf up the tender eye of pitiful dayAnd with thy bloody and invisible handCancel and tear to pieces that great bondWhich keeps me pale. Light thickens, and the crowMakes wing to th’ rooky wood.Good things of day begin to droop and drowse;Whiles night’s black agents to their preys do rouse.Thou marvel’st at my words: but hold thee still.Things bad begun make strong themselves by ill.So, prithee, go with me.
It does not even stop there, Macbeth starts seeing Banquo’s ghost after he orded the death of Banquo, which frustrates him, nearly making him tell the evil secrets about Banquo’s death and even possibly Duncan’s death as well.
MACBETH(to GHOST) Thou canst not say I did it. Never shakeThy gory locks at me.
November 3, 2016 at 1:10 pm
You’re keeping such detailed records of the trajectory of Macbeth’s mental state, Obai. This is such an excellent way to consolidate your understanding.
CW