Macbeth Act III Act III opens with Banquo

Macbeth Act III • Act III opens with Banquo expressing his suspicion of Macbeth’s rise to the throne. He also considers his own prophesy. The prophesy excites him, but he seems to “hush” his ambition. • When Macbeth speaks to Banquo, he tries to determine when and where Banquo will ride that afternoon before the coronation banquet. Banquo , although evasive with his answers, reveals that he will ride with his son, Fleance. • Left alone, Macbeth lays out his fears regarding Banquo knows of the witches’ prophecies, refuses to sacrifice his honor, and his kin will sit on the throne, not Macbeth’s. • After Banquo exits, Macbeth meets with two murderers. Macbeth manipulates the murderers and convinces them that Banquo is to blame for all of their misfortune. Macbeth orders that they kill Fleance as well, telling them that he doesn’t want a witness. However, Macbeth wants Fleance dead almost as much as Banquo so that the prophesy cannot come true. • Scene ii opens with Lady Macbeth expressing her discontent with their current position. She is anxious and feels they are living in “doubtful joy” and wishes they could return to what they once had.

Act III Continued… • She seems to know Macbeth is plotting something regarding Banquo, but he refuses to share the details of his murderous plan with her so that she can be “innocent of the knowledge” until the deed is done. • In Act III, scene iii, Banquo is murdered, but Fleance manages to escape. • During the “climactic” banquet scene, Macbeth is enraged when he learns that although the murderers managed to kill Banquo, Fleance has escaped. • When Macbeth goes to sit at the head of the table, he is greeted by Banquo’s ghost and heads to “crazytown”. Lady Macbeth tries to make excuses for him, blaming his strangeness on a condition he has had since childhood, but the mood of mirth has been destroyed and the guests leave. • Later, alone in their bedchamber, Macbeth shares his plan to visit with the Witches. He believes that he cannot go back, but must continue to wade ahead in blood, destroying all threats in his path. Lady Macbeth, concerned for her husband, urges him to get some rest.

Act III Continued… • In Act III, scene v, Hecate (head witch) is enraged that the witches have shared their powers of prophesy with a mortal. What’s worse, is that she believes Macbeth is selfish, spiteful, and doesn’t respect their power. • Hecate knows that Macbeth is coming to meet with them. She plans to destroy him by giving him a false sense of security so that he will believe himself invincible and ignore the danger building around him. • In scene vi, Lennox and a Lord sarcastically discuss the events and Macbeth’s explanations. It is evident from the tone of their conversation that nobody believes that the guards were bribed by Malcolm and Donalbain—Macbeth is the one responsible for King Duncan’s death. • We also learn that Macduff has left Scotland to join with Malcolm in England. Malcolm has organized an army and plans to return to Scotland to take back the throne.