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READ THIS
Macbeth and his wife meet later in the night. We notice Lady Macbeth's first misgivings at their deed. It
seems that the woman does have some form of a conscience after all.
Macbeth too is showing signs of a troubled mind but he realises that the murder of Duncan must now
necessitate another -- and perhaps many more.
THE MENTAL SIDE OF MURDER
Murder is never an easy thing, even for a battle-hardened man like Macbeth. When you are superstitious,
however, it is even more difficult.
The ancient peoples believed there was a direct link between nature and the goodness of one's actions.
This was especially so when it came to authorities who enjoyed God's favour -- people such as kings.
Even before Macbeth went to Duncan's bedchamber to murder the king, nature was described as
darkening over.
Then Macbeth saw visions. A ghostly dagger appeared, apparently leading the way. In another vision,
the dagger was covered in blood.
And then the noises began: the howling of wolves, owls screeching, sounds on the stairs. Even Lady
Macbeth appeared disturbed -- although she maintained an heroic front.
Macbeth shrank before the tumult. He fled the murder scene, taking the daggers with him and refusing
to return. Lady Macbeth was therefore left to do the mopping up after the murder.
We see too the first signs of regret. Macbeth wished that his actions could be undone -- and wondered
whether his hands would ever again be clean.
Even the steely Lady Macbeth would eventually crumble. She would start to sleepwalk, during which time
she would attempt to wash the blood off her own hands.
Have you looked at the questions
in the right column?
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TEST YOURSELF!
Read the left column and then answer
the following questions:
Lady Macbeth asks the servant, "Is Banquo gone from court?" to which the servant answers,
"Ay, madam, but returns tonight."
- What is Dramatic Irony? Comment on the dramatic irony of the servant's response. (4)
[Need help?]
Dramatic irony happens when the characters on stage believe one thing while the audience knows that
the opposite is about to happen.
In this present case, the servant states that Banquo will return to the castle that very evening, whereas
the audience knows that he will not return at all because Macbeth is about to have him murdered.
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What does Macbeth mean when he says, "We have scorched the snake, not killed it"? (4)
[Need help?]
If one compares the dangers that surrounded them to a snake, then the murdering of Duncan has merely
injured the snake. It is not yet dead.
Indeed, if left alone, the wounds they have inflicted on the snake will slowly heal and its poison will then
be fatal. What they therefore need to do is to give the snake a final fatal blow.
They need therefore to murder Banquo or Macduff, or both -- or anybody else who stands in their way.
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Lady Macbeth advises her husband,
"Come on,
Gentle my lord, sleek o'er your rugged looks,
Be bright and jovial among your guests tonight."
- Based on these words, what instructions regarding facial expression would you give the actor taking
the role of Macbeth? (4)
[Need help?]
It is clear that Macbeth does not look happy. Indeed, quite the opposite. He probably has a face like
thunder, portraying a deeply troubled mind.
There would be a grooved frown on his forehead upon which one could screw a hat so that it would never
be blown away!
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Does Macbeth give any hint to his wife that he is having Banquo murdered that very evening? (5)
[Need help?]
No, he does not. Indeed, he tells her, "Let your remembrance apply to Banquo; Present him eminence
both with eye and tongue."
These words should tell her clearly that Banquo will indeed be at the banquet that evening.
Then, when Lady Macbeth asks him the meaning of his innuendo -- "There shall be done a deed of
dreadful note" -- Macbeth replies that she "must be innocent of the knowledge" until it is time
to "applaud the deed".
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What does Macbeth mean when he says "O, full of scorpions is my mind, dear wife!" (4)
[Need help?]
Scorpions are little creatures with dreadful stings in their tails.
Macbeth is not talking here simply of a mildly troubled mind -- one that is disturbed by their lack of
happiness -- but he is clearly suffering from severe remorse.
Indeed, he has a serious dose of guilt arising from the fact that he has murdered a good man who had
trusted him and had showered him and his wife with blessings.
This guilt is stinging his conscience like those dreadful scorpion tails.
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SOME MORE CHALLENGING QUESTIONS:
"Nought's had, all's spent,
Where our desire is got without content,
'Tis safer to be that which we destroy
Than by destruction dwell in doubtful joy."
- Explain Lady Macbeth's fears as she expresses them here. (6)
[Need help?]
There are, indeed, definite chinks appearing in Lady Macbeth's armour.
She dwells on the fact that they have spent everything in acquiring the crown and yet have gained nothing
by it. They have their desire -- i.e. the crown -- but have no happiness.
Unlike Macbeth who will continue murdering to set matters straight, Lady Macbeth decides already that
it would be better to be dead and lying in the grave alongside Duncan than to continue with their present
uncertain lives.
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"How now, my lord, why do you keep alone?
Of sorriest fancies your companions making,
Using those thoughts which should indeed have died
With them they think on? Things without all remedy
Should be without regard. What's done, is done."
- What does Lady Macbeth mean when she says, "Things without all remedy should be without
regard"? (4)
[Need help?]
It seems clear that Macbeth is suffering from a troubled mind.
In the early part of the play, he was always in the company of one of his friends but now he keeps alone,
his mind wracked with guilt.
He thinks continually about what could have been and what he should not have done.
Lady Macbeth points out to her husband that his only companions now are his troubled thoughts. These
thoughts, she says, should have been killed at the same time as Duncan was murdered.
She points out that there is no cure now for Duncan's death. He is dead and cannot be brought back to
life. Since the past cannot be undone, it is better therefore to forget about it and carry on with the present
which can be controlled.
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- Is Lady Macbeth correct when she says, "What's done, is done"? (4)
[Need help?]
In a sense, she is indeed correct. The past is that which has happened, and it cannot be made to
unhappen.
Macbeth should have thought of such things as a troubled conscience before he made the decision to
murder Duncan.
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It is very clear that Macbeth is suffering severe mental trauma as a result of his actions.
- Explain this trauma in your own words. (6)
[Need help?]
It is pretty clear that Macbeth is suffering from nightmares as a result of his murderous actions. It is better,
he says, to be with Duncan in his grave than to suffer from a tormented mind.
While Lady Macbeth appears merely to be troubled by the fact that life is no longer happy and they are
not enjoying their lives as king and queen, Macbeth appears to be suffering from a severe case of guilt.
He cannot help thinking of Duncan, asleep in his grave and at peace now. Macbeth would love to be at
rest as well.
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"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!"
- Explain Macbeth's final prayer. (4)
[Need help?]
One perceives here the moment of despair in Macbeth, where he decides to turn away finally from all the
forces of good and into the murky world of darkness and evil.
Like Lady Macbeth did earlier when she called upon the evil spirits to unsex her and fill her with direst
cruelty, so Macbeth calls upon darkness to take away any sign of holiness and tenderness which might
still exist within him.
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