Question

In Act III of Macbeth, Macbeth sees the ghost of Banquo, who has just been murdered on Macbeth’s orders. Banquo is seated at a table. How does Macbeth’s reaction to seeing the ghost illustrate one of the play’s major themes?

It shows how the suffering of others can soften the hearts of despots and tyrants.

It shows how guilt and anguish can plague those who commit evil deeds.

It shows how death frees individuals from the hardships and pain of life.

It shows how insanity breeds evil.

Answer 1

It shows how guilt and anguish can plague those who commit evil deeds.

Answer 2

It shows how guilt and anguish can plague those who commit evil deeds.

Step-by-step explanation:

In William Shakespeare's "Macbeth", the rise and fall of Macbeth through his greed for power and authority is shown. It also deals with the issue of good versus evil, the need to fulfill the prophecies of the three witches and the 'insane' need to secure his place even to the extent of committing heinous crimes.

In Act III scene iii, Macbeth orders Banquo to be killed so that he poses no threat to his rise in power. And scene iv shows a feast where Macbeth saw the ghost of Banquo. This illustrates how one's guilt and anguish can become a burden for the criminals, reminding them of the evil deeds they had done. The visibility of the ghost only to Macbeth further seems to suggest that only he is to be blamed for the crime and thus, he alone suffers the torment of the ghost. His conversation with the ghost also leans towards insanity, a case rather favored by Shakespeare in his plays.