Who Haunts the Election Manor?

Surprise! Another blog about Donald Trump.

Recently the republican debate went on without Trump, deciding to boycott the debate (and being the pretentious douchebag he is). Even so, Trump is still the main topic of articles and soundbites on major news programs. Like Trump, Banquo from Macbeth had more of a presence in Macbeth’s mind by no longer being present in his world. In life, Banquo was merely a comrade in battle and a friend. In death, he is a phantom who haunts Macbeth with guilt. In the same way is the media haunted by Trump even without him attending the debates, although Trump is a manifestation of something else.

In act III scene IV, Macbeth hallucinates the ghost of Banquo appearing before him as he eats with lords and his various associates. While looking for a place to sit, Lennox welcomes him saying, “Here’s an empty seat, sir” (III, IV). Macbeth sees Banquo sitting where Lennox points and exclaims, “Which one of you did this” (III, IV). Banquo’s phantom is a manifestation of Macbeth’s guilt. In the debate, the public are like Macbeth in constantly hearing soundbites and headlines of Trump without him being there, as can be seen in Washington Post’s report on the debate titled, “Trump, the ‘elephant not in the room’...” Trump’s haunting stretches through the entire election, existing in articles. The media plays the role of Macbeth’s preoccupation, being forced to constantly cover news on Trump. Except, in this case it's preoccupying the minds of people.

Macbeth tries to justify killing Macbeth saying, “blood hath been shed ere now, i’ th’ olden time, ere humane statute purged the gentle weal; ay, and since too, murders have been performed too terrible for the ear” (III, IV). He is arguing that murder is inherent to humanity which makes him no worse than any other person. He is in denial, attempting to justify his act with bad reasoning, ignoring the immorality of murder. In the same way does the public attempt to justify their and the media’s obsession with Trump by claiming that his uncomplicated confidence and success in the business world will make him a capable president. While being a good salesman and leader may help him in presidency, he is clearly fascist and incompetent. Lady Macbeth, who was also involved in killing Banquo, is affected by guilt differently. She is able to accept the malice and shame in Banquo’s murder, which is shown by her vision of her hands being covered in blood which has a more profound meaning. In Act 5 Scene 1, she attempts to wash her hands of blood while muttering, “Here’s the smell of blood still. All the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little hand” (VI, I). Lady Macbeth understands the wickedness in her actions, but is unable to cope with guilt, sending her into insanity. This response accounts for the thousands outrageous Trump supporters. Shakespeare illustrates the profound effects of guilt on humans by showing two ways in which it can deeply impact the human mind.

The emotion that fuels Trump’s phantom is not guilt, but fear and anxiety for the future of America. When people see president after president seemingly incompetent and unable to fix the country, they naturally feel worried. Trump to many will look like their knight in shining armour, being outspoken and seemingly confident in his ability to improve the economy. His existence in the election is a manifestation of the public’s fear, as Banquo was a manifestation of Macbeth’s guilt. In order to understand Trump’s success in his campaign thus far, we need to understand the two phenomenons Shakespeare illustrates that come with anxiety: Denial and hysteria. People love Trump because they are in denial of his incompetence and the progress current politicians are making. Others are hysterical about him, attempting to push him under but constantly joking about him and putting him on headlines. Donald Trump is Banquo’s phantom to the public, since they are both manifestations of anxiety. Don't fall prey to this, and instead accept the facts.