Banquo's Ghost Analysis

Controversy over Banquo’s Ghost
William Shakespeare's, The Tragedy of Macbeth, has spurred quite some controversy over the famous scene in Act 3 containing Banquo’s ghost. Many performances of this play has had the deceased character, Banquo’s ghost, appear on stage at the dinner party in scene 4. According to an online article, English IV, the appearance of ghosts in plays “…is dramatically effective because they help to set the atmosphere of the play as well as catch the audience's interest.” Banquo’s ghost should be portrayed through an actor on stage because it will abridge confusion of the audience, help to illustrate Macbeth’s emotions in the scene, and this will give a good example of dramatic irony being in use. Having Banquo’s dead
According to Dictionary.com, the definition of dramatic irony is, “Irony that is inherent in speeches or a situation of a drama and is understood by the audience but not grasped by the characters in the play.” After Macbeth’s interaction with Banquo’s ghost, he is pulled aside by his wife, Lady Macbeth, who was highly embarrassed by his behavior. Very angered, Lady Macbeth yells at her husband, “Fie, for shame!” (3.4.74). She believes Macbeths actions were a negative outcome caused by fear. Macbeth confesses to seeing Banquo’s ghost by saying “If I stand here, I saw him….” (3.4.75). The audience knows that Macbeth is seeing Banquo’s ghost when he appears on stage, however, none of the other characters are aware. Therefore making this scene an example of dramatic irony. On the other hand, some say it is this scene isn’t true dramatic irony due to the fact Macbeth, does know its Banquo being seen along with the audience. Macbeth also understands the reason for why he’s seeing Banquo, which is out of personal guilt. For the most part, this scene is considered dramatic irony simply because the audience knows Macbeth is seeing Banquo and the remaining characters on stage do