In what ways does Shakespeare make the Banqueting scene dramatic? Essay

Through the drama of the play ‘Macbeth’, Shakespeare clearly wishes to examine the supernatural elements to illustrate guilt and consciousness caused by witchcraft and demonology. Thus, in examining these elements, Shakespeare’s dramatises Macbeth’s sociological affect on Duncan; to convey the importance of kingship and the consequences of particular choices. Firstly, Macbeth’s ideas of becoming king after receiving the prophecies from the witches had become very strong. Thus, His excitement prompted him to find out more from the witches ‘tell me more’ he asks them. Macbeth believed the knowledge given by them to be true. This curiosity suggests why he was so determined to become king. ‘My thought, whose murder is yet but fantastical’ Macbeth thought, the only way to become king was to kill Duncan. Furthermore, the king was God’s representative on earth and was chosen by god; hence, to kill the king would upset the natural order. Macbeth did not want to kill Duncan, but he wanted to fulfil his ambition of becoming king, therefore, the only way to do this was by killing Duncan. Although, the prophecies were given both to Macbeth and Banquo, Banquo did not believe the witches ‘†What! Can the Devil speak true?†Ã¢â‚¬Ëœ However, Macbeth feared that the prophecy concerning Banquo would come true. Hence, this is why Macbeth arranged the killing of Banquo. Furthermore, the scene before the Banqueting scene shows Banquo being killed. This is followed by Macbeth’s happiness at being king. As a result, this would be dramatic for a modern audience, as Macbeth who arranged the killing appeared to have no conscience. Therefore, to show the scene of Banquo’s murder followed by Macbeth’s happiness would be dramatic for a modern audience. This is because; this would firstly, portray an evil appearance of Macbeth, and secondly, would convey how Macbeth is gentle hearted. The fact, that Macbeth was affected by the witches’ prophecies and reacted quickly to the situation: in terms of how his thoughts rapidly changed for the bad, determines how easily he can be influenced. Therefore, this is what led him to be responsible for murder plans as well as murders taking place; such as Duncan and Banquo’s death, and Fleance’s and Macduff’s family death plan. Moreover, at the beginning of the banquet, Macbeth appears to be confident in the way he speaks, ‘†You know your own degrees†Ã¢â‚¬Ëœ addressing his guests to ‘†sit down†Ã¢â‚¬Ëœ according to rank. At the moment, he is enjoying his position as king; his confidence in his speech suggests this. He knows Banquo will be killed and does not want Banquo alive, because of the prophecies. ‘†Tis better thee without, than he within†Ã¢â‚¬Ëœ. If Banquo was alive, Macbeth feared that Banquo could have had a chance to become king. For Macbeth knows Banquo’s death will make him secure as king. This hope kept Macbeth occupied up until the murderer entered the room. Sequentially, when Banquo’s murderer enters, Macbeth gets excited getting prepared to find out the good news of Banquo’s death. However, when Macbeth says ‘†There’s blood upon thy face†Ã¢â‚¬Ëœ this suggests, this whole time Macbeth showed he was confident through his speech to his guests; what is really going through his mind is kept hidden. In fact, Macbeth was panicking all this time something could happen. ‘†There’s blood upon thy face†Ã¢â‚¬Ëœ, indicates Macbeth’s fear as King and insecure feelings. The ‘†blood†Ã¢â‚¬Ëœ could symbolise a deep fear, pain and anger Macbeth is experiencing. Shakespeare’s use of dramatic irony is very effective here, as he is trying to create sympathy for Macbeth and tries to put across a message. As we learn that Macbeth’s does not have a strong character, we find out he is easily led into things. His weak character guides him to mischief. Macbeth did not want to kill these people; however, his ambition to become king had grown. To kill those who were king, or who were to become king was the only solution. It seems he loses control, leading himself from one evil to another, and thus, he is lost in his own thoughts. He feels regretful, but cannot stop himself from evil, as it has just become a habit. Although, Macbeth committed few murders under his crown, he regretted and felt remorseful for his actions leading to murder, this is what makes him an interesting character. Once Macbeth finds out Banquo is killed, he becomes excited ‘†yet he’s good that did the like for Fleance†Ã¢â‚¬Ëœ, wanting to know that Fleance is also killed. If Fleance was still alive then he would have a chance to become king. The prophecy concerning Banquo mentioned that Banquo will be ‘†lesser than Macbeth, and greater†Ã¢â‚¬Ëœ Banquo will not become king, but his son can become king. This suggests that Macbeth would become king. ‘†Not so happy, yet much happier†Ã¢â‚¬Ëœ Banquo will not be alive, but his son will live and will have chance to become king. As for Macbeth he will become king but will be not be the rightful and happy king. When Macbeth finds out Fleance is still alive he has a ‘fit’. The drama of the fit has been emphasised to convey a message. Macbeth thought if both the Father and son were killed he would have ‘else been perfect’. If both son and father were killed Macbeth would have been ‘Whole as a marble, founded as a rock, as broad and general as the casing air’. The use of similes helps to convey a better understanding of Macbeth’s anxieties, helping the audience understand how Macbeth would have been free and powerful as king. Now that Fleance is alive Macbeth feels ‘†cabin’d, cribb’d, confin’d†Ã¢â‚¬Ëœ the use of assonance is again emphasised to convey Macbeth’s fears, his doubts and insecure feelings as king. Macbeth wants Fleance killed ‘†Get thee gone; tomorrow†Ã¢â‚¬Ëœ as he fears if Fleance is still alive, then he will have chance to become king. In addition, Macbeth goes back to join his quests and mentions that Banquo is not present at the banquet. Then, he goes onto expressing how he feels that Banquo is not present, ‘†Who I may rather challenge for unkindness†Ã¢â‚¬Ëœ. No one at the banquet knows Macbeth is responsible for Banquo’s death; therefore, Macbeth takes advantage of this and blames Banquo for not being there, though, Macbeth is blameworthy. Although, Macbeth does this, inside he feels guilty for what he has done; his guilt is hidden from his guests. The dramatic irony is used, to explain Macbeth’s guilt. Macbeth cannot join his guests at the table, because ‘the table’s full’ at this moment Macbeth can see a figure sitting at his place. No one at the Banquet can see this figure accept for Macbeth. The dramatic irony is used here, to express how Macbeth was not the rightful king and instead Banquo was supposed to be king. Macbeth becomes fearful and worried ‘you canst not say, I did it’. Here Macbeth sees Banquo’s ghost, he feels really regretful for killing Banquo and feels frustrated. This frustration almost leads him to mentioning his guilt for killing Banquo. However, Lady Macbeth realises her husband’s short coming, and makes up a quick lie, to stop her husband for spitting out his guilt ‘†You shall offend him, and extend his passion†Ã¢â‚¬Ëœ. Lady Macbeth tells the guest to ‘†keep seat†Ã¢â‚¬Ëœ, if not they the guest will prolong his suffering and emotion. Furthermore, Lady Macbeth thinks her husband has put himself at ‘†shame†Ã¢â‚¬Ëœ, thinking this fear is from killing Duncan. ‘†This is the very painting of your fear†Ã¢â‚¬Ëœ the use of metaphor makes it more dramatic, expressing how Macbeth has a sense of fear on his face. That fact, that no one knew Banquo appeared as ghost, makes things even more dramatic. As for a modern audience, they would understand how Macbeth feels regretful for killing Banquo. ‘†You look but on a stool†Ã¢â‚¬Ëœ Lady Macbeth thinks her husband is crazy, thinking why does he feel regretful for killing Duncan. To a modern and Jacobean audience this would indicate that Macbeth was not the rightful king. She does not know that Macbeth was responsible for Banquo’s death. As Macbeth looks at the stool, Lady Macbeth does not know why Macbeth is looking at it. The fact, that Banquo comes back as ghost, is an unnatural event. After killing Duncan, Macbeth first and foremost, disorders the natural order, and this is why he sees illusions such as the ‘dagger’, ‘Banquo as a ghost’. In addition, after Macbeth’s wife tries to calm him, Macbeth feels normal again and mentions something about Banquo ‘†Would he were here†Ã¢â‚¬Ëœ says to his guests. Macbeth sees Banquo as ghost again and goes crazy. His attitude changes to become angry due to seeing Banquo. When Banquo appears this time, Macbeth expresses his inward feelings, thus, expressing it strong. He expresses it quite strong; because this is way he is feeling, distressed and pained. This feeling is so intense that Macbeth wants to ‘quit’ his sight. The use of exclamation marks expresses his anger and fear. Macbeth compares his feeling to his wife’s, expressing how his cheeks are ‘blanch’d with fear’, after all that he has done. As Lady Macbeth does not know Macbeth was responsible for Banquo’s death, he describes his wife cheeks as ‘natural ruby’ and his cheeks to be full of fear. This expresses how Macbeth feels remorseful for Killing Banquo. The Banquet ends with disorder. As the banquet ends with disorder Lady Macbeth takes control ‘†Stand not upon the order of your going†Ã¢â‚¬Ëœ. At the beginning of the scene, the guests were required to sit down according to rank, now they are told to leave not according to rank, but ‘all at once’. The drama is used to explain, how Macbeth did something which was against the rule of god and how he upset the natural order. This scene is emphasised to convey the message. The disorder of the banquet is used to express how Macbeth’s actions are leading him and Scotland towards disaster. To a modern audience this performance would have been expressed and portrayed well, and from it they would have understood the laws of the time. The performance of this scene would have been very exciting for a Jacobean audience; typically because it included themes related to witchcraft, demonology and the divine right of King which were based on the beliefs of the 17th century. The audience sitting to watch the performance would have been familiar and may have even believed in witchcraft. From this performance they would have realised the importance of kingship, and understand the consequences which would have led to killing a king. Moreover, to understand belief in witches was wrong, as this would have brought about harm. On the other hand, to a modern audience this play would have brought more or less realisation. As witchcraft is not widely believed today, this would make the audience come to understand why there is not much of it. Reasons such as war had led to discomfort, and sorrow around 17th century, hence, witchcraft was an alternative to happiness, and would have kept people occupied upon evil things. As the witches at the beginning of the play say ‘fair is foul, and foul is fair’ good is bad, and bad is good. Lady Macbeth’s order of leaving to the men was portrayed well. Shakespeare tries to explain how women did not have the right to command men, thus, this further reinforces the idea of disorder. The drama of this play is very effective, and thus, the disorder of play greatly reinforces the meaning of the play. Through, the use of dramatic irony, this first and foremost, warns the audience of the consequences which one could face in regards to killing a king. The message which is conveyed is the importance of kingship. In addition, by the use of drama this clearly portrays how killing of king leads to the disorder of the natural order; therefore, this is portrayed as a serious matter, thus, reinforcing the idea of how killing of king is very serious. Secondly, the disorder of play emphasises the point about how witchcraft can be a dangerous path to follow. By viewing the unnatural events, such as Banquo coming back as ghost, this portrays clearly how following the paths of witches can result in disaster and pain in ones life. The two main aspects in this play are the killing of king and witchcraft. The importance of kingship is greatly emphasised, as it is of great importance to both modern people and Jacobeans. The fact, that Shakespeare does not bring Macbeth back to sense, means the killing of king is wrong. It is used to emphasise the great importance of the position of king. James the I would have approved of this. At the time of the Jacobeans, the king was god’s representative on earth, to kill him would cause great disaster or disorder to the creation; hence, the position of kingship would affect society at large. For a modern society the understanding of killing the President or King would be very wrong and brutal. Shakespeare, explains and rages out how civilised it leaders are, it is evident that both the Jacobeans and the modernised society agree the importance of this, and I agree. Does anyone have the right to take the leader’s position away? If he sets legislations to keep you under safety, then think about the great disaster that would be brought about if someone killed him†¦