The good news is that Macbeth is king now. Yay! But it seems that he is still unsatisfied, even with literally ALL the power. In Act III, Macbeth assigns the two murderers a gruesome task: kill Banquo and his son, Fleance. In Act IV, he orders Macduff and his family's murder.
1. What rationale (reason) does he give for wanting to kill Banquo? Macduff?
2. Name one character trait that this action demonstrates.
3. Last, speculate about what you think the play is trying to say about power.
You should take at least three sentences to answer the questions.
Here is how your comment will be graded:
Rationale: 2 points
Character traits: 2 points each
Speculation: 3 points
Completion: 1 point
1) He didn't want Banquo's kids to be kings
ReplyDelete2) He would be considered to be a traitor
3) With power comes greed and greed leads to death
Excellent thoughts--I definitely see your point about greed and death.
Delete1) Macbeth was warned by the witches that Banquo's children would become kings in the future. Macbeth was warned by the 1st apparition to beware Macduff, so Macbeth was going to listen to that warning and eliminate Macduff.
ReplyDelete2) The character trait is showed is a fearful personality.
3) The play is trying to show that power can corrupt anyone.
Yes--definitely fearful. Maybe even paranoid.
DeleteMacbeth is not able to have kids and he doesnt want Banquo or Macduff to become King if he dies.
ReplyDeleteThis shows that Macbeth is not trust worthy to people.
The play is showing that by having all power it can change you as a person into someone you shouldn't be.
I think that's exactly right--we see Macbeth change irreversibly.
DeleteThe rationale Macbeth gives for wanting to kill Banquo is he wants to be king and he wants it to stay in his blood line. So he wants to kill Banquo's son because if Macbeth dies then Banquo's son becomes king and Macbeth can't have that. He wants to kill Macduff because in one of the apparitions the armed head told him to beware of Macduff, Macbeth didn't want any interference with him being king.
ReplyDeleteOne character trait would be ambitious or evil.
Power can change a person for the worse, they will kill to have it.
Alissa Farris
And kill to keep it.
DeleteA reason that he gives is that he is wanting to fulfill the prophecy.He didn't want Banquo kids to be kings and says Macduff should watch out for Macbeth
ReplyDeleteJealousy
I think it'saying that everyone wants the power and will do what it takes to get it
Well, maybe not everyone. Banquo didn't, for one! Macbeth and Lady Macbath, though were definitely willing to go to extremes.
Delete1. Macbeth doesn't want Banquo or Macduff to have power and potentially over throw him.
ReplyDelete2. I feel this shows that Macbeth isn't as friendly and as good a king that everyone thinks he is.
3. With Macbeth having all the power, it has changed him. He's obsessed with being in control and doesn't wany anyone to get in the way.
100% right. Especially worried about Banquo's offspring.
DeleteA reasonable reason for killing Banquo and Macduff was the witches' prophecy saying that Banquo was the father to a line of new kings and Macbeth was to watch out for Macduff. Macbeth is jealous that he won't have a line of airs to the throne. Macbeth is scared that that Macduff will try and kill him or take away his power. Power can go to your head, just because you are in control, doesn't mean that you are invincible or that the prophecy of the witches was true.
ReplyDeleteInteresting note about his jealousy. I think that's probably correct. He did all the hard work and was bitter that Banquo's sons would reap the benefits.
Delete1. because he is scared he is gonna take his life.
ReplyDelete2. he doesn't want o be a traitor
3. he doesn't want the power because that can turn into death
Macbeth DEFINITELY wanted the power. But you're right, it did turn into death.
Delete1.) Macbeth doesn't want Banquo or Macduff to have power over him. He sees them as a threat to him.
ReplyDelete2.) Hes ambitious because he really wanted to be king and he didnt want anyone to get in his way. Hes evil because he wants to kill people so they cant become king.
3.) Having power can change people such as Macbeth because now that he has became king it has made him want to kill people so that they cant take over his power.
WHY are they a threat though? I think Banquo's is an interesting case because Banquo never really wanted the throne, nor did he ever try and threaten Macbeth directly. It was his sons that scared Macbeth.
Delete1. because he is scared he is gonna take his life.
ReplyDelete2. he doesn't want o be a traitor
3. he doesn't want the power because that can turn into death
Uno) Macbeth orders Banquo be killed because of the Witches' prophecy that stated Banquo's descendants would be kings. So, in order to prevent Banquo's descendants from falling heir to the throne, he must have them "taken care of". Macduff must die because it was said in prophecy that Macbeth would need to look out for Macduff. Deciding he didn't want to fool around with the guesswork of figuring out what threat Macduff would pose, he decides he would be better off just getting rid of the problem altogether.
ReplyDeleteDos) He seems to show traits of a madman at this point, driven by power and bloodlust. He's got into this situation killing man, and apparently, plans to get his way out of any further conflicting situations by the same means.
Tres) The play is saying that a man(or woman in Lady Macbeth's case) will murder, lie, and/or cheat for power. Man would murder his comrade to protect his own name and lineage. Man would play the role of an innocent bystander after killing a king so that he would fall as rightful heir. The play seems to be saying that those who prioritize power soon forget how to prioritize anything else.
Especially enjoyed your point about Macduff's murder. Macbeth doesn't waste any time trying to talk himself into this action, he's decided he's done deliberating and will act on his heart's desires right away from here on out. I also think you accurately describe his mental state later. His lust for power eclipses absolutely everything else.
Delete1) He didn't want Banquo's kids to be kings
ReplyDelete2) He would be considered to be a traitor
3) With power comes greed and greed leads to death