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Macbeth Act 3 Scene 2 Essay

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The scene Act 3 scene 2, conveys the theme that killing someone isn't the most proficient way in dealing with problems nor does it make life simpler, instead it creates more complications. Ironically, In this scene Lady Macbeth and Macbeth discuss the death of Banquo; both of them begin to show signs of fear & guilt. Both of them realize the troubles that come with killing Banquo, and recognize that troubles follow; his son Fleance can still cease the prophecy. This is demonstrated in the metaphorical quote “We have scorched the snake, not killed it.” Macbeth refers to Banquo as a snake, who has not yet been killed and is still able to “attack” them. Symbolically, snakes represent “eternal life” due to the fact that they can rejuvenate once …show more content…

Despite, Macbeth’s initial bravado, neither of the couple are at ease and he believes it is “better be with the dead, whom we, to gain our peace, have sent to peace. Than on the torture of the mind to lie in restless ecstasy”. This line, refers to how as living beings, they still have guilt to live up to and lies to cover and that being dead like Duncan and Banquo would be easier rather enduring the endless mental torture. This is the turning point in the play which shows that the couple are beginning regret their decisions and realize that taking the easy way out isn’t worth the debt that comes along with it. In contrast, Macbeth also seems envious of Duncan who is “peacefully” lying in his grave, not needing to deal with life’s troubles and claims that “After life’s fitful fever he sleeps well”. It seem’s as if Macbeth is self-pitying himself and trying to hide the void that he feels by convincing himself that he did Banquo a favour. He concludes that they’ve already done the worst to him and that neither steel nor poison is comparable to the troubles he has caused Banquo and that nothing can hurt him

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