Macbeth - Ghost of Banquo

Ghost of Banquo William Shakespeare's Macbeth portrays the character Macbeth as a fearless and powerful leader. It has been said that Shakespeare's character Macbeth is the only single character in all of his writings that has seen a ghost without other characters present. In order to stay King of Scotland, Macbeth kills his friend Banquo, only to see him a few moments later as a ghost. The fact that only Macbeth can see the ghost of Banquo represents both his ambition to become powerful and the regret he feels for killing him in order to remain in power. When Macbeth sees the ghost of Banquo at the dinner party it represents Macbeth's constant ambition to become and remain the king. As Macbeth rises to power he becomes obsessed with the idea of becoming king. When we see Lady Macbeth manipulating Macbeth's mind, she ensures that he would do anything in order to become king. This can symbolize the possibilities of Macbeth's dark side and his desire to do anything necessary to be powerful. As his ambition increases, the threat of Banquo comes to Macbeth's attention. Already somewhat comfortable with the idea of murder after killing Duncan, the previous King of Scotland, Macbeth feels that the easiest and safest way to secure his power would be to execute Banquo. Macbeth's ambition and drive for the throne creates this evil side to him. This evil side is developed by his overwhelming desire to be king and causes him to murder Banquo when Banquo starts to question him . The ghost of Banquo can represent the completion of his desire for control. The ghost is seen, therefore he has completed his task of removing the threat against him. Macbeth's regret could also be represented by the ghost of Banquo. This regret is so strong after killing Banquo that it causes Macbeth to imagine his ghost at the party. Someone appears at the murder scene of Banquo. It is suggested to be Macbeth. "He needs not our mistrust, since he delivers our offices and what we have to do to the direction just." (page 95 Act 3 sc. 3) (said by one of the murderers as he sees the cloaked figure and assume it is Macbeth) We never find out exactly who that character is. Perhaps it was Macbeth reconsidering what was about to happen. Perhaps he was hoping to solve his problem another way. Maybe he himself couldn't possibly begin to understand the gravity of the atrocity, and the revelation that it was carried out by his hand. If he was completely comfortable with the idea of killing his friend I don't think he would have been haunted by his guilt and therefore see the ghost of Banquo. When the murderers appear at the banquet and begin to tell Macbeth about the murder of Banquo they explain that Banquo's son, Fleance, escaped the scene. Macbeth becomes even more anxious and feels his appointment to the throne even more threatened. Macbeth returns to his table feeling anxious and questioning if he should have ever proceeded with the plan to kill of Banquo in the first place. "I am in blood stepped in so far that, should wade no more..." (page 109 Act 3 Sc. 4) Macbeth's quick eager actions made his situation worse and resulted in more regret, confusion, agony, and guilt. As Banquo's ghost can represent Macbeth's dark side,( i.e. the actual murdering of Banquo) we could also argue that it also represents his good side. ( i.e. his feelings of guilt and regret). The ghost causes him to begin to think about the trouble he has caused. There is still a part of Macbeth that feels empathy, if in the least, for himself. When Macbeth attends his dinner party, all is well until he sees the ghost of Banquo. Once he notices Banquo sitting in his chair he begins to panic because he feels that Banquo is haunting him for killing him, when in reality we could argue that it's Macbeth's own guilt that is haunting him, hence the reason why he is the only character to witness the ghost.