MacbethMacbeth

Act IIIAct III

Banquo sees that the prophecy has come true Banquo sees that the prophecy has come true but suspects Macbeth’s foul play in achieving it.but suspects Macbeth’s foul play in achieving it.

Macbeth fears Macbeth fears Banquo Banquo because because he’s daring, he’s daring, discerning, discerning, and was and was there at the there at the beginning.beginning.

Macbeth sees that Banquo suspects him, so Macbeth sees that Banquo suspects him, so he hires two assassins to kill Banquo and he hires two assassins to kill Banquo and Banquo’s son, Fleance.Banquo’s son, Fleance.

Macbeth concludes his plan with the Macbeth concludes his plan with the comment: “Banquo, thy soul’s flight,/If it comment: “Banquo, thy soul’s flight,/If it find Heaven, must find it out tonight.”find Heaven, must find it out tonight.”

The two murderers have been joined by a The two murderers have been joined by a third when Banquo enters with Fleance.third when Banquo enters with Fleance.

The murderers attack Banquo, who cries, The murderers attack Banquo, who cries, “O, treachery! Fly good Fleance, fly, fly, “O, treachery! Fly good Fleance, fly, fly, fly!”fly!”

He dies and Fleance escapes.He dies and Fleance escapes.

According to the witches, Banquo’s destiny is According to the witches, Banquo’s destiny is to father kings, but Macbeth wants to thwart to father kings, but Macbeth wants to thwart that prophecy by killing Banquo and Fleance.that prophecy by killing Banquo and Fleance.

The astute viewer The astute viewer sees that sees that Macbeth’s situation Macbeth’s situation is hopeless.is hopeless.

The prophecy will The prophecy will come true, and come true, and anything Macbeth anything Macbeth tries to do is the tries to do is the means by which the means by which the prophecy will be prophecy will be fulfilled.fulfilled.

King Macbeth and his wife, now queen, prepare King Macbeth and his wife, now queen, prepare for a banquet. for a banquet.

Macbeth is fearful and nervous, and his wife Macbeth is fearful and nervous, and his wife tries to calm him down, saying that “what’s tries to calm him down, saying that “what’s done is done” (3.2.12).done is done” (3.2.12).

They must present a fair face to the Scottish lords and They must present a fair face to the Scottish lords and pretend that they have nothing to hide.pretend that they have nothing to hide.

At dinner, Macbeth invites his guests to sit down, but At dinner, Macbeth invites his guests to sit down, but Banquo’s ghost arrives uninvited and takes Macbeth’s Banquo’s ghost arrives uninvited and takes Macbeth’s seat. seat.

Naturally, the others can’t see the ghost.Naturally, the others can’t see the ghost. Forgetting his Forgetting his

manners, manners,

Macbeth Macbeth

shouts at his shouts at his

guest, “which guest, “which

of you have of you have

done this?” done this?”

(Who has (Who has

killed killed

Banquo?)Banquo?)

If Macbeth was If Macbeth was nervous before, he nervous before, he is tormented now; is tormented now; his mind is “full of his mind is “full of scorpions” (3.2.36).scorpions” (3.2.36).

The guests don’t The guests don’t have a clue what have a clue what Macbeth is talking Macbeth is talking about.about.

Macbeth shouts at Macbeth shouts at the ghost, “Thou the ghost, “Thou canst not say, I did it canst not say, I did it (the murder); never (the murder); never shake…Thy gory shake…Thy gory locks at me.”locks at me.”

The ghost disappears.The ghost disappears. Macbeth offers a toast “to our dear friend Macbeth offers a toast “to our dear friend

Banquo, whom we miss;…Would he were Banquo, whom we miss;…Would he were here!”here!”

He shouldn’t have He shouldn’t have pushed it.pushed it.

Guess what? Guess what? Banquo’s ghost Banquo’s ghost reappears.reappears.

Macbeth shouts Macbeth shouts for it to leave his for it to leave his sight and the sight and the ghost disappears.ghost disappears.

Lady Macbeth tries to Lady Macbeth tries to cover for her husband cover for her husband and explain that this and explain that this happens sometimes, happens sometimes, and with a little rest, and with a little rest, he’ll be all right.he’ll be all right.

She shoos the lords She shoos the lords from the room with from the room with her apologies.her apologies.

Alone, Macbeth Alone, Macbeth feels so deep in feels so deep in blood “returning blood “returning were as tedious were as tedious as go o’er.” as go o’er.”

Going back is as Going back is as difficult as going difficult as going forward – forward – Macbeth’s in so Macbeth’s in so deep he might deep he might as well keep as well keep going.going.

Lady Macbeth tells him he just needs a Lady Macbeth tells him he just needs a good night’s sleep. She’s off the mark good night’s sleep. She’s off the mark because the banquet scene shows how because the banquet scene shows how Scotland has moved from order to Chaos Scotland has moved from order to Chaos as a result of Macbeth’s deed.as a result of Macbeth’s deed.

Fleance Fleance escaped the escaped the assassins, but assassins, but now the rumors now the rumors are that he are that he killed his father, killed his father, just as just as everyone everyone thinks that thinks that Malcolm and Malcolm and Donalbain Donalbain killed Duncan.killed Duncan.

In another scene, Lennox and an unnamed lord In another scene, Lennox and an unnamed lord discuss their suspicions about Macbeth.discuss their suspicions about Macbeth.

We learn that Macduff is out of favor because he We learn that Macduff is out of favor because he has also voiced his suspicions.has also voiced his suspicions.

The lord Macduff, however, does not believe The lord Macduff, however, does not believe Macbeth to be innocent.Macbeth to be innocent.

He follows Malcolm to England and incites the He follows Malcolm to England and incites the English king (Edward the Confessor) to lend English king (Edward the Confessor) to lend his strength and attack Scotland and Macbeth.his strength and attack Scotland and Macbeth.