CC - IV: Macbeth: The banquet scene

 

        Act III, Scene IV marks the Banquet scene in Macbeth. Guests, the distinguished persons of Scotland assembly in the hall where Macbeth serves as the host, and the hostess Lady Macbeth looks so exhausted that she seems to remain somewhat marginal. She asks her husband to receive and look after the guests on her behalf for she is, says she, not in her elements. Meanwhile, the first Murderer appears and Macbeth rushes to him. Looking at the Stains of blood on the murderer's forehead, Macbeth tells him to remove the stain and remain normal. Now the murderer whispers, communicating a piece of news which has two parts: (i) Banquo has been, according to Macbeth's instruction, slain, (ii) Fleance has managed to escape. The first part adds to the joy of Macbeth who is depressed by thee second part . However, the murderer withdraws and Macbeth returns to his seat which, much to his wonder, is occupied by the ghost, goryheaded, takes Macbeth by storm. It takes his breath away. usually fearless, Macbeth gives way to fear and begins to quiver. He starts raring, and his incoherent words seems to disclose his guilt. However, the ghost vanishes and Macbeth returns to normality. The situation regains balance. But alas! the ghost reappears and Macbeth is out of joint, He can hardly stand erect. He seems to be at the end of his tether. Lady Macbeth realizes the gravity of the situation. She shakes off her fatigue, her load of indolence. She rises to the occasion. She asks the ghost to leave the hall for Macbeth is unwell. In a short time, the hall is described, the couple being left behind. Lady Macbeth bids good bye to the departing guests and in a sense with her bidding, the final adieu from the audience, the scene comes to a close, Macbeth expressing his resolve to liquidate Macduff.

                              The dramatic significance of the scene is main-fold. First, it strikes a note of irony. Knowing full well that the hired murderer would kill Banquo before the commencement of the Banquet Macbeth feigned innocence and told Banquo: 'Fail not our feast'. Banquo had no knowledge of the dark motive of Macbeth. With all, simplicity he accepted the 'invitation' and said: 'My Lord, I will not: now in the Banquet hall, contrary to the expectation of Macbeth, Banquo, his ghost rather, asserts his presence and he seems to keep his promise. Second, the scene surfaces the tortured conscience of Macbeth. The ghost of  Banquo's is an objective-correlative for Macbeth's suppressed sense of guilt. Though Macbeth degenerates steadily, he is still under a feeble control of conscience. Third, the ghost of Banquo adds a supernatural proportion to the play and deepens the uncanny effect. Lastly, it is in this scene that Lady Macbeth rises from the ashes of desolation and passivity, and blazes magnificent husband. Of course, her meteoric shining turns out to be the last flicker of a dying lamp.

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