Feast Scene In Macbeth

In the murderous “Macbeth”, the famous playwright, William Shakespeare conveys the theme that noble deeds such as hosting social functions are utilized to masquerade evil intentions in order to maintain power. Since the beginning of mankind, humanity has been known to adhere to actions of betrayal and illusion to further their own selfishness agendas, as so it is necessary for survival. With this in mind, many theatrical and literary works have been created around this very aspect of human behavior. In the case of the tragedy, Shakespeare’s ultimate purpose is to illuminate this very idea of man’s greed and ambition that are altogether hidden with the symbolism of the feast scene and emphasized by the dramatic irony in Act three. In conjunction

When the tyrant states, “Here had we now our country’s honor roofed, were the graced person of our Banquo present, who may I rather challenge for unkindness than pity for mischarge,” a sense of importance of his friend in the gathering is created. In essence, Macbeth purposely makes a statement in acknowledgement of Banquo’s absence because he knows that his best friend has significant influence in terms of keeping allies. The lack of his presence is prone to have some negative effect on Macbeth’s rule, which is later discovered it does indeed. Lady Macbeth also indicates that “If he had been forgotten, it had been as a gap in our great feast, and all-thing unbecoming,” to further emphasize Banquo’s importance because of the idea that it only takes one link to render the entire chain useless. As Macbeth proclaimed all the nobility of Scotland in attendance and Lady Macbeth welcomed the guests, the reader can clearly see the amount of importance this function possesses. Why else would Macbeth desire Banquo to join the ceremony if he fears him in such great magnitude? The fact of the matter is that since the feast symbolizes unity, for Banquo not to be there would surely indicate that his kingdom is not fully unified. When Macbeth eventually ruins the feast because of his vision of

News of the death of Duncan and Banquo would ultimately lead to Macbeth’s demise. Therefore, Macbeth moves under the shadow of morally good actions such as the feast scene to ensure he ceases from being executed. Shakespeare emphasizes this idea as he implements dramatic irony due to the fact that the audience has a more thorough understanding of Macbeth’s true motives than most of the characters. After the king ruins his feast by seeing the ghost of Banquo, in an almost dramatized voice expresses that “Augurs and understood relations have by magot pies and choughs and rooks brought forth the secret’st man of blood,” indicating his eventual death. The quote illuminates the idea that although Macbeth is crafty, he will eventually be exposed. No matter the virtue and generosity that is shown when hosting these social functions, the tyrant knows that his deception will not last long before it becomes his downfall. Furthermore, Macbeth has the ability to not have his true identity revealed because of the very reason that his action promoted him to a higher status. In contrast to the peasants who were immediately blamed for the death of Duncan, the previous thane of Glamis has done heroics and services that make him seem as though he would never commit a crime of treachery. Peasants cease to have any solid reputation and as result were easy to be framed for the death of