Banquos Cursed Thoughts - Coursework Example

Do you think Banquo's "cursed thoughts" are Banquo's own ambitions, his fears about how Macbeth will act on his prophecy, or both? Explain. “Restrain in me the cursed thoughts that nature/ Gives way to in repose!”(2.1.9-10) Like in many other instances, there is no definite answer to this question, but in my opinion, the “cursed thoughts” Banquo has is a combination of his own ambitions as well as the fear of how Macbeth will act upon the prophecy. Banquo has known Macbeth, they have been partners in the battle against a revolt in the country; both of them are brave and ambitious. Banquo sees that Macbeth meditates on the witches’ words, even though he does not want to talk about it, he always brushes it aside as something unimportant. But then, once Macbeth was granted a title of Thane of Cawdor, both Banquo and Macbeth saw it as a fulfillment of a prophecy received. Therefore the prospect of becoming a king became more real in Macbeth’s mind and he even wrote a letter to his wife, telling about everything that has happened and of what is yet to happen. “This have I thought good to deliver thee, /my dearest partner of greatness, that thou mightst not lose/ the dues of rejoicing, by being ignorant of what greatness is/promised thee” (1.5.9-12) But how can Macbeth become the king if Duncan has two sons, one of which he pronounced “The Prince of Cumberland” (1.4.55). That is when Macbeth realized there is an obstacle on his way to become a king, and some dark thoughts settled in his heart “For in my way it lies. Stars, hide your fires;/Let not light see my black and deep desires”. (1.4. 57-58) Banquo realize that too, that is why he has fears. When they are in Macbeth’s castle, he senses some danger, and even before going to sleep, he keeps his sword nearby. “Give me my sword.”(2.1.15) 2. The line "Thou marshal'st me the way that I was going" (2.1.42) is ambiguous and has been the subject of a great deal of literary debate. When he says the dagger shows him the way that he "was going," he reveals that he has considered murdering Duncan before. When do you think Macbeth first dreamt of becoming king? Was it after he talked to Lady Macbeth? After the prophecies, or might these thoughts have preceeded the witches' prophecies? Explain your interpretation of the line. It would not be possible to say for sure if the thought of becoming a king ever entered Macbeth’s mind before he heard the predictions of “the weird sisters”. He is being an ambitious and valiant man might have fanaticized about being a king, yet, if those thoughts ever came to mind, it was not taken seriously. He was a loyal subject of the king Duncan. He fought the battle for the king and received an honor for his bravery – a title of Thane of Cawdor. However, after hearing witches’ predictions, and seeing one of them being fulfilled, he started entertaining these thoughts about kingship and murdering Duncan, he started get tempted by them. 3. Quote and explain 2 lines of Lady Macbeth's in the first 15 lines of scene 2 that reveal that she does have moments of real emotion, even moments of weakness. Lady Macbeth boasts about her strength. She set her mind on murdering the King Duncan. However, when she went to bring possets to the grooms, she also saw the King sleeping – maybe she picked into the room or, perhaps, she even wanted to kill the king herself, fearing her husband will not master the courage – we do not know exactly. But from her self-talk while she was waiting for Macbeth to return, we can see her thinking she would have done it yourself, had to the king look alike to her father. Because of this resemblance, she lacked the courage for it. “Had he [the king] not resembled /My father as he slept, I had done't [killed him]”. (2.2.15-16) 4. Using 2 direct quotations as support, describe Macbeth's state of mind in scene 2. After the murder, it is very difficult for Macbeth to cope with his emotions. He hears things, or, he thinks he does. “Still it cried, “Sleep no more!” to all the house”. (2.2.53) He is also disgusted at the thought of what he has done “I am afraid to think what I have done” (2.2.56). Now, every noise scares him: “How is't with me, when every noise appals me”. (2.2.74) He is totally lost in his thoughts, he is in the state of daze: “Be not lost/ So poorly in your thoughts.” (2.2.90-91) Macbeth is ashamed and disgusted at what he has done and whishes it never happens:”To know my deed, ’twere best not know myself. Knock/ Wake Duncan with thy knocking! I would thou couldst!” (2.2.92-93) 5. Explain Lady Macbeth's simile : "The sleeping and the dead/Are but as pictures" (2.2.52-53). In her mind, what do the sleeping and the dead have in common? (2.2.50-51) While Macbeth is gone, Lady Macbeth is thinking out loud about giving possets to grooms and that now “death and nature do contend about them, / whether they live or die” (2.2.7-8). They are so sound asleep that one can hardly tell the difference if they are alive. When Macbeth returns after murdering the king, he carries grooms’ daggers too and Lady Macbeth tells him to bring it back and also to smear grooms with the blood. He says he cannot do it, so Lady Macbeth is to do it herself. Macbeth is afraid of what he has done and do not want to look at them all again. So Lady Macbeth reasons that the king and grooms can do no harm - they are “but as picture”. 6. How do you interpret Macbeth's closing line in scene 2: "Wake Duncan with thy knocking! I would thou couldst!" (2.2.72) It seems to me that Macbeth is confused and also remorseful – he knows whoever it would be at the door, they will not be able to wake the king, definitely not with their knocking; here he proclaims the king’s death; yet, he wishes it all would not happen (“I would thou couldst!”) 7. How do you interpret Lennox's lines just before the discovery of murder in scene 3: "Our chimneys were blown down, and, as they say, Lamentings heard I' th' air, strange screams of death, And prophesying with accents terrible" (2.3.57-58) What is happening in the natural world the night that Duncan is murdered? Elizabethan England believed that the King was appointed by God. How do the disruptions to the natural world support this idea? The night the king was murdered there is a great storm in the nature. That is what Lennox tells Macbeth about while Macduff goes to wake the king. The storm so terrible, that Lennox has not seen anything as terrible during his whole life. There was a strong wind, the owl’s voice - a bird that believed to be heralding someone’s death - was hears the whole night; some people said “the earth/ Was feverous and did shake” (2.3.75-76) It seemed that the nature itself was stirred because of king’s death. 8. Describe your first impressions of Macduff. Macduff, even though the night was so terrible, comes to the door lighthearted, he talks and jokes with the Porter; he seems to be excited to be of the service to the king; also he is a little in a hurry, because he had “almost slipp'd the hour” (2.3.59). Then, upon discovery of the king being murdered, he is sincerely grieving “O horror, horror, horror! Tongue nor heart / Cannot conceive nor name thee!” (2.3.80-81) He is at a loss of words. He calls the murder “sacrilegious” (2.3.86) – he was loyal to the king, considered him God appointed. “The Lord’s anointed temple” (2.3.87) He is also attentive - he gives an order to see to Lady Macbeth. He is a man of not so many words, but his words do count. 9. If you were the director of a production of Macbeth, how would you have Banquo act in scene 3? Remember, he's been having "cursed thoughts" about the prophecies given to him and Macbeth. Banquo takes the charge over situation. While Macbeth acts out being furious, Banquo does not talk much, he is cold headed and, knowing about prophecies, he sees it as fulfillment of it, however, since he himself had “cursed thoughts” earlier, he probably does wonder if Macbeth is the one who is guilty. 10. Why do you think Macbeth kills the Chamberlains if this wasn't part of Lady Macbeth's plan? When Macbeth was in king’s chamber, he heard some noise. He was not sure where it came from and thought, maybe the grooms were the ones who awoke and witnessed his murder. Also, by killing two defenseless men he was trying to show righteous wrath – the king was covered in blood and so were grooms, so he thought any one would think they are the guilty ones – either of not being good guards or of killing the king. 11. What do Malcolm and Donalbain decide at the end of scene 3? Quote lines to support your response. Malcolm and Donalbain think their lives are endangered as well, so they have to live immediately, without even waiting for the men to get together as they planned. They seem to have some thoughts about who might have killed their father – that is why they talk about the display of unfelt sorrow. “To show an unfelt sorrow is an office / Which the false man does easy. I'll to England. / To Ireland, I; our separated fortune / Shall keep us both the safer: where we are, / There's daggers in men's smiles”. (2.3.157-161) they have to leave immediately: “let us not be dainty of leave-taking, / But shift away” (2.3.166-167) 12. Carefully read Macduff's questions in scene 4. Can you get any sense of his state of mind at this point in the play? Macduff does not ask questions in the scene 4, rather he brings up questionable situations. When he enters, Ross greets him with usual greeting, to what Macduff replies “Why, see you not?” (2.4.26). He implies that the situation is obvious, even though some people might want to hind it. He talks about king’s sons being suspected in killing their father. Suspicion is based on the fact they fled and Macbeth’s words of accusation. However, it seems neither Ross nor Macduff believes that king’s sons are guilty. Macduff is the first one to suspect Macbeth of this evil deed. 13. Identify, quote, and explain lines that fit in with the clothing motif in scene 4. Before leaving Macduff’s suggest that the rule of the new king – Macbeth, will not be as good as Duncan’s. “Lest our old robes sit easier than our new!”(2.4.50) Read More