Macbeth Quote Analysis

Macbeth sees Banquo's ghost sitting in his place at the banquet table and addresses it, denying responsibility for the murder.

Macbeth's denial—'Thou canst not say I did it'—hinges on a legalistic dodge: he did not physically commit the act. Yet the specificity of 'gory locks' shows he sees exactly what he claims not to have done, and addressing the ghost directly contradicts his insistence that no one can accuse him. His language fractures under the weight of guilt he refuses to name.

Support a thesis that Macbeth's guilt manifests through failed denial—his attempt to dodge blame backfires because his own words give the ghost the accusatory power he claims it lacks.