Macbeth Group

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mani12345
mani12345
Student
High School - 10th Grade

How does Macbeth arouse the murderers?

Macbeth act3

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Posted by mani12345 on Sunday May 18, 2008 at 4:47 PM and tagged with characters, macbeth, murderers.

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  1. allyson Teacher
    High School - 10th Grade

    eNotes Editor

    In scene 1 of act 3, Macbeth hires two men to kill both Banquo and his son, Fleance. Macbeth selected these two men seemingly because they are unhappy with and angry about their position in life. He is able to use their discontent to his advantage saying,

    "this I made good to you
    In our last conference, pass'd in probation with you
    How you were borne in hand, how cross'd, the instruments,
    Who wrought with them, and all things else that might
    To half a soul and to a notion craz'd
    Say, 'Thus did Banquo.'"

    Basically, Macbeth is convincing the murderers that their terrible lives are Banquo's fault and thus, Banquo deserves to be killed. Macbeth successfully manipulates these men, who agree that Banquo is their enemy and it is their job to murder him.

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/macbeth-text/3356

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    Posted by allyson on Sunday May 18, 2008 at 5:36 PM

  2. pmiranda2857
    pmiranda2857 Teacher
    High School - 10th Grade

    eNotes Editor

    Macbeth uses the same tactics that his wife used on him to convince him to murder Duncan.  He questions the manhood of the murders.  He asks them if they are men? They reply yes, but Macbeth goes on to say: 

    "Ay, In the catalogue ye go tor men;
    As hounds and greyhounds, mongrels, spaniels,
    curs,
    Shoughs, water-rugs, and demi-wolves, are clept
    All by the name of dogs: the valu'd file
    Distinguishes the swift, the slow, the subtle,
    The housekeeper, the hunter, every one
    According to the gift which bounteous nature
    Hath in him clos'd; whereby he does receive
    Particular addition, from the bill
    That writes them all alike: and so of men.

    "Now, if you have a station in the file,
    Not i' the worst rank of manhood, say it;
    And I will put that business in your bosoms,
    Whose execution takes your enemy off,
    Grapples you to the heart and love of us,
    Who wear our health but sickly in his life,
    Which in his death were perfect".

    He also makes it clear that he would appreciate their taking on this task.

    Sources:
    http://www.absoluteshakespeare.com/plays/macbeth

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    Posted by pmiranda2857 on Sunday May 18, 2008 at 6:04 PM