Act III, Scene IV, is important because it is Macbeth's high point as King. Once he sees the ghost, his image as king is changed, tarnished with questions of madness.
"Then comes my fit again: I had else
been perfect;
Whole as the marble, founded as the rock,
As broad and general as the casing air:
But now I am cabin'd, cribb'd, confin'd, bound in
To saucy doubts and fears. But Banquo's safe?" (Act III, Scene IV)
"Can such things be
And overcome us likes a summer's cloud,
Without our special wonder? You make me
strange
Even to the disposition that I owe,
When now I think you can behold such sights,
And keep the natural! ruby of your cheeks,
When mine are blanch'd with fear." (Act III, Scene IV)
Macbeth begins to question his sanity, he can't believe his eyes, yet he cannot look away from Banquo's ghost. In front of his dinner guests, he acts in an unstable, irrational manner, causing Lady Macbeth to make excuses for his behavior. At this point, King Macbeth has lost some of the respect and admiration of his court.
His subjects do not look at him the same way after this scene, it is a turning point for Macbeth. His manner and attitude becomes more tyrannical, he decides after this scene to consult the witches again, to seek their guidance.
Macbeth begins the slow descent into madness after this scene, losing his ability to control the future, something that he has killed to achieve.
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