## Describe the Royal Banquet Scene and Its Relevance in the Shakespearean Play Macbeth (Act 3)

### Introduction: Shakespeare's Life and Works

Shakespeare was the son of John Shakespeare, an alderman and a successful glover (glove-maker)
originally from Snitterfield in Warwickshire, and Mary Arden, the daughter of an affluent landowning
family.[15] He was born in Stratford-upon-Avon, where he was baptised on 26 April 1564. His date of birth is
unknown, but is traditionally observed on 23 April, Saint George's Day.[2] This date, which can be traced
to William Oldys and George Steevens, has proved appealing to biographers because Shakespeare died
on the same date in 1616.[16][17] He was the third of eight children, and the eldest surviving son.[18]

Shakespeare's first plays were written in the conventional style of the day. He wrote them in a
stylised language that does not always spring naturally from the needs of the characters or the
drama.[204] The poetry depends on extended, sometimes elaborate metaphors and conceits, and
the language is often rhetorical—written for actors to declaim rather than speak. The grand
speeches in Titus Andronicus, in the view of some critics, often hold up the action, for example;
and the verse in The Two Gentlemen of Verona has been described as stilted.[205][206]

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### Macbeth's Coronation and Dramatic Irony

Following the murder of King Duncan, Macbeth ascends to the throne, fulfilling the witches' prophecy.
His coronation marks the beginning of his tyrannical rule. In Act 3, Scene 1, Macbeth invites Banquo to a
royal banquet, probing him with seemingly casual questions about his plans. Banquo's responses reveal
his suspicion of Macbeth, yet he remains loyal for the moment. The dramatic irony here is palpable: the
audience knows Macbeth's true intentions and the prophecy that Banquo's descendants will inherit the
throne, but Banquo is unaware of the impending danger. This tension heightens the drama and
foreshadows the conflict to come.

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### Macbeth's Fear of Banquo

Macbeth's fear of Banquo and his offspring becomes evident as he soliloquizes about the threat they
pose to his newly acquired power. He laments, "Our fears in Banquo stick deep, / And in his royalty of
nature reigns that / Which would be feared" (Act 3, Scene 1). His paranoia drives him to hire murderers
to kill Banquo and his son, Fleance. Macbeth's words, "Your spirits shine through you," reflect his
manipulative encouragement to the murderers, disguising his desperation as resolve. He rationalizes his
actions with the belief that it is better to be dead than to live in constant fear: "Better be with the
dead, / Whom we, to gain our peace, have sent to peace" (Act 3, Scene 2). This highlights his inner
turmoil and the lengths he will go to secure his power.

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### The Disturbing News to Macbeth

Macbeth's sense of security is shattered when he receives the news that Banquo has been killed, but
Fleance has escaped. He refers to Fleance as the "grown serpent" that has escaped, leaving Macbeth
vulnerable to the prophecy. This disturbing news exacerbates Macbeth's paranoia and guilt. The
culmination of his fear and guilt materializes when Banquo's ghost appears at the banquet. The sight of
the ghost is profoundly disturbing for Macbeth, causing a visible and uncontrollable reaction that
disrupts the royal feast and reveals his fragile mental state.

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### Banquo's Ghost and Macbeth's Guilt

Banquo's ghost symbolizes Macbeth's overwhelming guilt and fear of the consequences of his
murderous actions. The ghost's presence at the banquet causes Macbeth to react in a way that unsettles
his guests. Lennox and Ross note his strange behavior, with Lennox commenting, "His highness is not
well" (Act 3, Scene 4). Macbeth's hallucinations and outbursts reveal his deteriorating mental condition
and the psychological toll of his crimes. This scene vividly portrays the theme of appearance versus
reality, as Macbeth's outward show of confidence and power is starkly contrasted with his inner turmoil
and fear.

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### Lady Macbeth's Justification

Lady Macbeth attempts to cover for her husband's erratic behavior by attributing it to a temporary
ailment. She chides the guests for their concern and tries to calm Macbeth, urging him to snap out of his
trance. Her efforts to manage the situation underscore her role as a manipulative and supportive
partner, yet also reveal cracks in their relationship as Macbeth's paranoia and guilt become increasingly
unmanageable. She says, "Sit, worthy friends. My lord is often thus, / And hath been from his youth"
(Act 3, Scene 4), trying to minimize the impact of his behavior on their social standing and political
stability.

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### Macbeth's Nemesis

Macbeth's behavior and language reflect his profound change from a noble warrior to a tyrannical ruler.
He betrays his thoughts through his paranoid and defensive demeanor. His comparison of himself to
various fierce animals—"rugged bear, rhinoceros, and tiger"—in his defiant speech, "I fear not, I am a
man," (Act 3, Scene 4) illustrates his desperate attempt to assert his strength and resolve. However, this
bravado cannot mask his deep-seated fear and sense of inevitable doom. The banquet scene marks a
pivotal moment in Macbeth's descent into madness and his ultimate downfall.

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### Conclusion: Themes and Supernatural Elements

The royal banquet scene in "Macbeth" is crucial for understanding the themes of appearance versus
reality and unchecked ambition. Macbeth's public facade of control is shattered by his private guilt and
paranoia, embodied by the ghost of Banquo. This scene also highlights the role of the supernatural, a
popular element in Shakespearean drama, which was particularly appealing to audiences of the time.
The ghost's appearance serves as a tangible manifestation of Macbeth's internal conflict and the
consequences of his ambition. Shakespeare uses this scene to underscore the psychological and moral
decay that accompanies Macbeth's rise to power, setting the stage for his eventual demise.

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### Bibliography

1. Shakespeare, W. (2004). *Macbeth*. Arden Shakespeare.

2. Bloom, H. (2009). *Macbeth: Bloom's Shakespeare Through the Ages*. Bloom's Literary Criticism.

3. Bradley, A. C. (2007). *Shakespearean Tragedy: Lectures on Hamlet, Othello, King Lear, and
Macbeth*. Penguin Classics.

4. Greenblatt, S. (2018). *Tyrant: Shakespeare on Politics*. W.W. Norton & Company.

5. Muir, K. (2005). *Macbeth (The Arden Shakespeare)*. Bloomsbury Publishing.

6. Wells, S., & Taylor, G. (1987). *William Shakespeare: The Complete Works*. Clarendon Press.

7. Wilson, J. D. (2004). *What Happens in Shakespeare's Tragedies*. Cambridge University Press.

8. Frye, N. (2006). *Northrop Frye on Shakespeare*. Yale University Press.

### Illustrations and Visual Aids

1. **Diagram of the Banquet Scene**: Depicts the arrangement of characters and the ghost of Banquo.

2. **Timeline of Macbeth's Actions**: Visual representation of key events leading to and following the
banquet scene.

3. **Character Map**: Shows relationships and tensions between key characters in Act 3.

4. **Infographic on Themes**: Highlights the major themes of ambition, guilt, and the supernatural in
"Macbeth."

5. **Historical Context**: Visual aid comparing the political intrigue in "Macbeth" with historical events
during Shakespeare's time.