Question

What is the irony in the following quote?

MACBETH: “I drink to the general joy o' the whole table,
And to our dear friend Banquo, whom we miss;
Would he were here!

1. Macbeth misses Banquo.
2. Macbeth wishes Banquo was there because he is seeing his bloody ghost.
3. Macbeth is scared about what the future brings for himself and his country.
4. Macbeth is sad because he knows what he has done.

Answer 1

2. Macbeth wishes Banquo was there because he is seeing his bloody ghost.

Step-by-step explanation:

Based on this particular scene from Shakespeare's Macbeth, Macbeth is haunted by the ghost of Banquo who he murdered in the presence of guests and he begins to act strangely. He regains his composure and makes this speech, toasting to Banquo and saying he "miss" him and wish "he were here".

The irony here is that Macbeth is tormented by Banquo's ghost but makes a speech saying that Banquo was missed and it would be much better if he were there.