In the William Shakespeare play, Macbeth, the presence of Banquo's ghost explicitly shows the mental deterioration of Macbeth, whereas Lady Macbeth is cunning and covers up for her husband; although she does not see Banquo's ghost. Firstly, Macbeth becomes so overwhelmed at the sight of the ghost that he almost admits to killing Banquo and King Duncan. Macbeth is so frightened of Banquo's ghost that at the feast he yells out, "Thou canst not say I did it; never shake Thy gory locks at me!" (III.iv.50-51). Macbeth appears crazy to his guests when he sees the ghost and where it was stabbed twenty times. Macbeth talks directly to the ghost and denies that he killed King Duncan and that he sent the murderers after Banquo and Fleance. Macbeth loses his mental state as Banquo's ghost makes Macbeth paranoid with all of the guilt he feels. Macbeth is making a fool out of himself and ruins everyone's night. Secondly, Macbeth fears the ghost and wants it to go hide itself in the depths of hell so that he does not lose his mental state. Macbeth commands the ghost to, "Avaunt and quit my sight! Let the earth hide thee! Thy bones are marrowless, thy blood is cold; Thou hast no speculation in those eyes Which thou dost glare with" (III.iv.93-96). Macbeth wants Banquo's ghost to go back to it's grave where it won't be able to ruin Macbeth's reign of being king. Macbeth is fearful of the ghost, but the worst part is that the mere presence of the ghost affects Macbeth is such a way that Macbeth ruins his own reputation. On the other hand, although Lady Macbeth cannot see Banquo's ghost, she sees Macbeth acting cowardly and foolishly and tries to make sense of Macbeth's actions. Lady Macbeth tries to convince Macbeth when she says, "O, these flaws and starts, Impostors to true fear, would well become A woman's story at a winters fire" (III.iv.63-65). .
Lady Macbeth knows that Macbeth had wanted Banquo dead but she did not know that it would come back to haunt him.
