Banquo's Guilt In Macbeth

In Macbeth, a banquet is being held in honor of the newly crowned king, Macbeth. During this feast Macbeth hallucinates images of his friend, Banquo, whom he hired murderers to kill him. Lady Macbeth tries to evade the attention from Macbeth, but they begin to suspect all is not well with the king. William Shakespeare reveals the guilt Macbeth feels for acting upon his selfish action and how he reacts henceforth. This includes what ensues with Lady Macbeth. Also, the scene shows the start of untrust that begins to develop with the Scottish people against Macbeth. At this point of the play Macbeth’s powers climax and from here onwards decrease until his death.

Banquo is a metaphor for Macbeth’s conscious. When Macbeth murders Banquo he is murdering his conscious. He does express remorse for Duncan in the beginning, but when he orders the killing of Banquo and Fleance he does so out of fear. This fear is converted into guilt when he sees Banquo’s ghost. Macbeth reflects on his actions, but instead of recognizing his sinfulness, his paranoia causes him to direct it towards Macduff and his family. Since Macduff is a threat to his throne Macbeth is adamant, almost rabid, with the thought of slaying Macduff.

The blood on her hands representing her guilt causes her to constantly wash her hands and whisper “Out, damned spot” which haunts her for the killing of King Duncan. This juxtaposition of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth show the irony of the characters reversing their roles in the play. Lady Macbeth began a ruthless and cunning woman who challenged her husband’s manhood to provoke him, but becomes manic with anguish. Macbeth contrasts with Lady Macbeth because he becomes a nefarious murderous person and feels no remorse by the end of the