Question

How does the last apparition (described by Macbeth) cause anxiety for Macbeth?

Answer 1

Macbeth thinks that he is unsurmountable because trees cannot walk. However, he does mininterpret this apparition as it is a motif of Malcom’s assault. While Hamlet thinks that this means that nobody can harm him, he is incorrect in his theory of this.

Step-by-step explanation:

Answer 2

Firstly, the apparition implies that Banquo's descendants will become kings, as Banquo is shown as the last king in the line of eight. This suggests that Macbeth's own rule will not be long-lasting and that his legacy will be overshadowed by Banquo's descendants. Macbeth is already paranoid about his hold on power and sees Banquo as a threat, so this vision reinforces his fears.

Secondly, Banquo's ghost standing behind the line of kings is a reminder of Macbeth's guilt in having Banquo murdered. Macbeth is already tormented by his conscience and haunted by Banquo's ghost, and this vision intensifies his feelings of guilt and remorse.

Finally, the fact that the witches show Macbeth this vision at all is unsettling. The witches have already proven to be untrustworthy and unpredictable, so Macbeth does not know whether to interpret the vision as a warning or a promise. He is left wondering whether he can trust anything the witches say or whether his own downfall is inevitable.