Acts Two and Three: The Rise of a Tyrant
Acts Two and Three of Macbeth depict the rapid and violent ascent of Macbeth to the throne, as well as the beginning of his descent into paranoia and tyranny. These acts are crucial in showing the immediate consequences of Macbeth's actions and the deterioration of his character.
The murder of King Duncan marks the point of no return for Macbeth. After committing the deed, Macbeth is immediately plagued by guilt and fear, while Lady Macbeth takes charge of framing Duncan's servants for the crime. The discovery of Duncan's body by Macduff sets off a chain of events that solidify Macbeth's position as king, but also sow the seeds of suspicion among the Scottish nobles.
Highlight: The flight of Malcolm and Donalbain, Duncan's sons, inadvertently makes them appear guilty, further cementing Macbeth's claim to the throne.
As Macbeth assumes the crown, the unnatural and ominous atmosphere in Scotland intensifies. Strange occurrences and disturbances in nature reflect the disruption of the natural order caused by Macbeth's illegitimate rule.
Example: The old man and Rosse discuss how an owl killed a falcon and Duncan's horses ate each other, symbolizing the upheaval in the natural world.
Macbeth's paranoia grows as he becomes fixated on the witches' prophecy about Banquo's descendants becoming kings. This leads him to arrange the murder of Banquo and his son, Fleance. While Banquo is killed, Fleance's escape ensures that the threat to Macbeth's rule remains.
The banquet scene, where Macbeth is haunted by Banquo's ghost, marks a turning point in his mental state. His erratic behavior raises suspicions among the nobles, and the facade of his legitimate rule begins to crumble.
Quote: "The times has been, / That, when the brains were out, the man would die, / And there an end; but now they rise again, / With twenty mortal murders on their crowns, / And push us from our stools." - Macbeth
As Act Three concludes, we see the growing opposition to Macbeth's rule, with Lennox and other lords suspecting his involvement in the murders. The mention of Macduff gathering an army foreshadows the coming conflict and Macbeth's eventual downfall.
These acts demonstrate the corrupting influence of power and the psychological toll of guilt, themes that are central to Shakespeare's exploration of ambition and morality in Macbeth.
