In Shakespeare's play "Macbeth," the character Macbeth sends murderers to kill Banquo in Act 3, Scene 3.
In the scene, Macbeth is becoming increasingly paranoid about the prophecy that Banquo's descendants will be kings. Despite being named king himself, Macbeth fears that Banquo's descendants will take the throne from him and his own descendants.
Macbeth expresses his concerns to his wife, Lady Macbeth, and they hatch a plan to kill Banquo and his son, Fleance. Macbeth tells two murderers to kill Banquo and bring him the proof of the murder, a bloody dagger.
The following lines from the play show Macbeth giving the murderers their instructions:
MACBETH:
There's comfort yet; they are assailable;
Then be thou jocund: ere the bat hath flown
His cloister'd flight, ere to black Hecate's summons
The shard-borne beetle with his drowsy hums
Hath rung night's yawning peal, there shall be done
A deed of dreadful note.
(To the murderers)
MACBETH:
All:
Hark! Peace!
It was the owl that shriek'd, the fatal bellman,
Which gives the stern'st good-night. He is about it:
The doors are open, and the surfeited grooms
Do mock their charge with snores: I have drugg'd their possets,
That death and nature do contend about them,
Whether they live or die.
(To the murderers)
MACBETH:
Be innocent of the knowledge, dearest chuck,
Till thou applaud the deed. Come, seeling night,
Scarf up the tender eye of pitiful day;
And with thy bloody and invisible hand
Cancel and tear to pieces that great bond
Which keeps me pale! Light thickens; and the crow
Makes wing to the rook'd wood: Good things of day begin to droop and drowse;
Whiles night's black agents to their preys do rouse.
Thou marvell'st at my words: but hold thee still;
Things bad begun make strong themselves by ill.
So, prithee, go with them.
This scene showcases Macbeth's descent into tyranny and his willingness to commit murder in order to maintain his power.
It's important to note that this play is a work of fiction and it should not be taken as an example of real-life actions. Shakespeare used this story to show how ambition and power can corrupt a man and lead him to commit heinous acts.
One topic related to Macbeth's decision to send murderers to kill Banquo is the theme of ambition in the play. Throughout the play, Macbeth's ambition drives him to commit more and more heinous acts, starting with the murder of King Duncan and culminating in the murder of Banquo and his son. Macbeth's ambition is fueled by the prophecy that he will be king, but it ultimately leads to his downfall.
Another topic related to this scene is the character development of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. In the beginning of the play, Macbeth is a loyal and honorable soldier, but as he becomes more consumed by ambition and power, he becomes increasingly ruthless and violent. Similarly, Lady Macbeth is initially the driving force behind the murder of Duncan, but as the play progresses, she becomes consumed by guilt and eventually driven to madness.
Additionally, there is a topic of the supernatural elements in Macbeth. The play features several supernatural elements, including the witches' prophecy that sets the plot in motion and the ghost of Banquo, which haunts Macbeth later in the play. These supernatural elements serve to heighten the sense of impending doom and foreshadow the tragic events to come.
Moreover, the motif of blood is another topic that can be discussed. Blood symbolizes the guilt and moral corruption that Macbeth and Lady Macbeth experience as a result of their actions. The imagery of blood is used throughout the play to convey the emotional and psychological toll of their actions and the weight of their guilt.
In conclusion, Macbeth's decision to send murderers to kill Banquo is a significant moment in the play that highlights the destructive nature of ambition and the corrupting power of power. This scene also serves as a catalyst for the character development of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth and is connected to the themes of supernatural elements, guilt, and blood throughout the play.
Popular questions
- When does Macbeth send murderers to kill Banquo in the play "Macbeth"?
- Macbeth sends murderers to kill Banquo in Act 3, Scene 3.
- Why does Macbeth want to kill Banquo?
- Macbeth becomes increasingly paranoid about the prophecy that Banquo's descendants will be kings. Despite being named king himself, Macbeth fears that Banquo's descendants will take the throne from him and his own descendants.
- Who does Macbeth tell to kill Banquo?
- Macbeth tells two murderers to kill Banquo and bring him the proof of the murder, a bloody dagger.
- How does Macbeth's ambition drive him to commit more and more heinous acts?
- Macbeth's ambition drives him to commit more and more heinous acts starting with the murder of King Duncan and culminating in the murder of Banquo and his son. Macbeth's ambition is fueled by the prophecy that he will be king, but it ultimately leads to his downfall.
- How does the motif of blood connect to the scene of Banquo's murder ?
- The imagery of blood is used throughout the play to convey the emotional and psychological toll of Macbeth's actions and the weight of guilt. The motif of blood symbolizes the guilt and moral corruption that Macbeth and Lady Macbeth experience as a result of their actions and it is particularly relevant to the scene of Banquo's murder as it is a significant moment in the play that highlights the destructive nature of ambition and the corrupting power of power.
Tag
Macbeths Assassination
