¡Descarga Summary of Macbeth story y más Monografías, Ensayos en PDF de Lengua y Literatura solo en Docsity! As the act begins, the witches continue the theme of duplication and ambiguity, which runs throughout the play. The apparitions that the witches summon give Macbeth misleading messages, and they seem to be very clear that he will only half understand his words. Although Macbeth himself has previously acknowledged that "even the trees speak" to eventually betray a murderer (III, iv, 64), the apparitions give Macbeth a false sense of security. He takes the shadows' words at face value, forgetting to examine how those predictions could come true. The theme of duplication is amplified when the witches call for the parade of kings. Every king who appears frightens Macbeth because of his resemblance to Banquo. For Macbeth, it is as if Banquo's shadows have returned to haunt him repeatedly. In the procession of kings, Macbeth also notes that some wear "double crowns and triple scepters" (IV, i, 70), as if even the signs of their power have been doubled. On a historical note, it is generally thought that the eighth king held up a mirror to please James I. The latter king, an eighth-generation descendant of Banquo, is but a representation of James himself. He could therefore carry a mirror to point out the real James, sitting in the front row. A similar moment of indulgence occurs when Malcolm observes that the king of England has a special power to heal sick people. In several subtle ways, Shakespeare flattered King James I, legendary descendant of Banquo and author of a book on witchcraft (Daemonologie, 1597). James I is not the only character who doubles in Macbeth. Throughout the play, the characters balance and complement each other in a carefully constructed harmony. As a man who also receives a prophecy but refuses to act on it, Banquo serves as a sort of reverse image of Macbeth. Although he has had disturbing dreams, like Macbeth, these are due to the suppression of his ambitions, while Macbeth's arise from the fulfillment of them. Other important characters, such as Malcolm, Macduff, and Lady Macbeth, may also sing verses as reverses or doubles of Macbeth. Particularly interesting is the case of Lady Macbeth, who in a sense "switches roles" with Macbeth as the play progresses. Although she first advises Macbeth to let go of her guilt and remorse, Lady Macbeth will become increasingly concerned about her own guilt as Macbeth begins to follow her advice. Another form of duplication or ambiguity occurs in the issue of appearances, costumes and masks. While she plans Duncan's murder, Lady Macbeth advises Macbeth to hide from his countenance what his soul meditates (I, v, 42), that is, that she hide his motives behind a mask of loyalty. After the murder, Lady Macbeth smears a mask of blood on the guards' faces to implicate them. Similarly, while preparing to kill Banquo, Macbeth comments to Lady Macbeth: "it is necessary (...) to turn our countenances into a hypocritical mask" (III, ii, 59). When Malcolm tests Macduff's loyalty, he begins by saying, appropriately, that "often crime takes the mask of virtue" (IV, iii, 74). Even the most abject men (perhaps, like Macbeth and the assassins), can disguise themselves. Just as the ambiguity of witches hides true harm behind seductive words, costumes and masks hide the inner world from the outside.
