8/3/2019 Dagger Scene

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The dagger scene is very important scene in the play, Macbeth. It is the turning point of the play. Itshows the transformation in the attitude of Macbeth, who was the man of principles, and thenbecomes the most wicked person. Besides showing the working of the supernatural powers, itreveals much of the mind of Macbeth. There is a close association between the supernatural powersand the working of Macbeths mind. The dagger is the projection of black desires of Macbeth, andrepresentation of this association.

Macbeth meets Banquo on his way to his bed-chamber, a little before the midnight. There is a brieftalk between them. Banquo was already disturbed due to weird sisters, and so was Macbeth.Macbeths short replies to Banquo, clearly indicates his stress. Then they part. Now Macbeth sends aservant to his wife to tell her to get the drink ready and to strike the bell when it is time. Suddenly,there shoots up before his eyes the phantom of a dagger, the handle being towards him. He tries toclutch it, but in vain. He wonders why the object is visible, but not tangible.

I have thee not, and yet I see thee still,

Art thou not, fatal vision, sensible

To feeling as to sight?

This self-addressed question also indicates his fear. However, Macbeth was passing through ahallucination. The dagger was the creation of Macbeths imagination. He lets himself runs away withhis imagination as he realizes that it is A dagger of the mind, a creation of his stressed brain. Hethen lays hands on his own dagger, and seems to see no difference between the dagger he drawsand the one that dangles in the air before his eyes, yet he cannot touch it. Thus he feels as if his eyes

are mocked by his other senses.

Then he begins to see gouts of blood on the dagger. A moment ago, it wasnt there. Thishallucinatory dagger, which was the result of Macbeths temptation, now guides him to King Duncans

bed chamber.

Thou shall marshallst me the way that I was going,

And such an instrument I was to use.

However, he then convinces himself that it was the violence, the murderous thoughts in his mindwhich was coming out in the form of bloody dagger. This shows that he was still not quite free fromthe pricks of conscience. He did fear that everything is against the deed of murder which, he is shortlygoing to commit. The atmosphere is filled with tension and Macbeth was living in the nightmare. Hewas impressed by the silence of midnight when bad dreams affect the sleeper, Witches celebratetheir rites, the Murderer stealthily moves towards his victim and the wolfs howl indicating the time to

Murder.

Macbeth is also terribly afraid that he cannot put even his footstep upon the earth. He fears that eventhe pebbles of the floor may echo the sound of his footsteps and rob the time of horror. Here,

Macbeth seems to be rather prompt in going to execute his plan....I go, and it is done He is ratherembarrassed by the preparations. This reveals that he lacks in confidence. However his vaultingambition and temptation overrules his fears. The death bell strikes and he hurries on towards the

Kings chamber.

This scene is significant mainly because it throws light on Macbeths character. He was determined tocarry out the murder, yet, his weakness in character (confusion) and strong imagination leads him todoubt. He displays lack of confidence through questions in his speech. His powerful imagination islargely responsible for his mental anguish throughout the play.