Macbeth suddenly has the feeling of inferiority towards him, as Banquo possesses a natural nobility, that of which Macbeth does not. His peace of mind is disrupted with thoughts of Banquo plotting against his possible reign. Macbeth's thoughts of good are overpowered by evil and bitter ones, this is shown during his soliloquy when he says: “Put rancours in the vessel of my peace” (3.1.67). Here Shakespeare is describing how any thoughts that show Macbeth’s good side have been overcome by hatred for Banquo, thus his thoughts have been poisoned by darkness. It is at this point in the play that we discover Macbeth’s intention to go for it all, essentially. After realizing that killing Duncan just made room for one of Banquo’s heirs, Macbeth suddenly is overcome with a sense of loss of power. Macbeth references his inferior feelings to Banquo as to those of Mark Antony towards Octavius Caesar: “My Genius is rebuk’d, as it is said/ Mark Antony’s was by Caesar” (3.1.56-57). When Shakespeare references this he is giving the reader more insight into Macbeth’s thoughts, helping us understand more about the play and Macbeth’s feelings by using the strategy of allusion to reference a similar occurrence. By using the reference to Mark Antony and Octavius, we are given a better look into Macbeth’s feelings about …show more content…
These characteristics have been seemingly influenced by Lady Macbeth who first pressured him to kill Duncan as to insure his spot on the throne. It appears as if Macbeth is desensitized to killing and will stop at nothing to get what he wants, and greed for more than he has. Macbeth has a hungry desire to get to the top, wanting more and more than he did before. In his soliloquy Macbeth says: “And put a barren sceptre in my gripe” (3.1.62). Here, Shakespeare gives us a good example of imagery as the sceptre represents the power Macbeth wants. Macbeth’s peace of mind is disturbed by the thought of Banquo’s line having a future king and wants him out of the way so there is no barrier between him and the crown. Macbeth seemingly realizes now that he has murdered Duncan, he simply cleared the way for Banquo’s heirs as Macbeth will not have kings in his line: “Upon my head they plac’d a fruitless crown” (3.1.61) the fruitless crown being that he will not have any heirs to his title. This takes us back to the three witches prophecies in act one when they inform Banquo and Macbeth of their present and