Sunday, April 7, 2013

How is power shown in "Macbeth", in Act III, scene 1? I need to focus particularly on Macbeth's soliloquy which mentions Caesar and Mark Antony.

Macbeth's soliloquy outlines the slipperiness of the ladder of power: and outlines his fear that, from the top, the only way is down. First, Macbeth bemoans his lack of security and admits that he is terrified of Banquo.

To be thus is nothing,
But to be safely thus. Our fears in Banquo
Stick deep, and in his royalty of nature
Reigns that which would be fear'd.

The goodness ('royalty') in Banquo's demeanour ('nature') means that Macbeth is immediately scared of him as a threat to his crown: either because the goodness is genuine, and thereby could prove popular, or because Banquo looks like an 'innocent flower', and therefore must be the serpent under it.

And, of course, Shakespeare puts this terrified doubt into the audience's mind: Banquo's soliloquy at the start of the speech could be read either as an innocent, terrified wondering ('Will these witches affect me too?') or potentially the beginnings (of course, he is murdered before he has chance to DO anything) of a campaign against Macbeth. Fears stick deep - no-one trusts anyone - this is the paranoia of power.

Another key way power is shown in the scene is the section which follows with the murderers: the smooth, persuasive way Macbeth manages to convince the two murderers that Banquo was their enemy and should be murdered. Macbeth may be paranoid - but, with a single conversation, can bring about the secret murder of a high-ranking official. And why? Because Banquo might be a threat. Power begets fear.

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