Act III:
Scenes I - III
Plot summary.
This act opens with Banquo's short soliloquy. In this soliloquy, the reader finds out that Macbeth is suspected and that Banquo is able to see through Macbeth's mask. Banquo says,
- "Thou hast it now: King, Cawdor, Glamis, all,
- As the weird women promised, and I fear
- Thou play'dst most foully for 't" (lines 1 - 3).
But also in his soliloquy, he shows his own desire for fulfilment of his part of the prophecy,
- "May they not be my oracles as well
- And set me up in hope?" (lines 9 - 10).
Macbeth and Banquo then speak. Macbeth gains useful information about Banquo's departure. This information will be used at the end of this scene. Macbeth also tries to pass the blame of himself,
- "We hear our bloody cousins are bestowed
- In England are in Ireland, not confessing
- Their cruel parricide" (lines 29 - 31).
Macbeth:
He has felt power. He is now King, and he doesn't want to give it up. At first he wasn't at peace because he wanted the throne. Now that he has the throne, he loses his peace with the prospect of loosing the crown. He says to himself,
- 'They hailed [Banquo] father to a line of kings.
- Upon my head they placed a fruitless crown
- And put a barren sceptre in my gripe,
- Thence to be wrenched with an unlineal hand,
- No son of mine succeeding" (lines 60 - 64).
His only choice now is to kill Banquo and Fleance. He is trying to work against prophecy, something he never learns not to do.
Macbeth hires murderers, but doesn't just give them a command to kill Banquo and Fleance, he also expertly manipulates them. He makes the murderers believe that Banquo is the enemy of their country and that they would be patriotic if they killed Banquo. He says,
- "I was [Banquo] in the times past, which held you
- So under fortune" (lines 77 - 78),
and,
- "[Banquo's] execution takes your enemy off" (line 105).
The murderers agree and leave to carry out the task.
Questions 1. What is the political situation now?
2. What reasons does Macbeth have for being afraid of Banquo?
3. What does he do about his fear?
4. What impression do we get of Macbeth’s character at this point in the play?
Plot summary.
Lady Macbeth and Macbeth go through a metamorphosis. There is a reversal in roles between the two characters. Macbeth has become the plotting, treacherous one who can't rest until the murder of Banquo and Fleance are completed. Lady Macbeth first regrets what they had done when she says,
- "Where our desire is got without content:
- 'Tis safer to be that which we destroy
- Than by destruction dwell in doubtful joy" (lines 5 - 7).
She tells Macbeth, "You must leave this" (line 35), meaning his plans. Finally, Macbeth tells Lady Macbeth, "Be innocent of the knowledge" (line 45), or in other words Macbeth tells Lady Macbeth to put on a mask about this plot. This truly is a reversal of roles.
Questions 1. What is Lady Macbeth’s view of what has happened so far?2. Describe the relationship between her and her husband.
3. What is Macbeth planning to do, and why does he not tell his wife?
BACK
Plot summary.
The scene occurs in a park near the palace.
A third murderer joins the previously hired two. This signifies how desperate Macbeth is. He is really going to great lengths to get the job done.Banquo enters with Fleance, who is carrying a torch. Banquo says, "It will rain tonight." The First Murderer responds with "Let it come down." The First Murderer apparently then puts out the torch being carried by Fleance.
The Murderers attack Banquo, who cries, "O, treachery! Fly good Fleance, fly, fly, fly!" He dies, and Fleance escapes.
The Third Murderer asks who put out the light. The First Murderer returns with the question, "Was't not the way?" That is, was not that the arrangement. They realise that Fleance has escaped, and the Second Murderer says,
- "We have lost
- Bett half of our affair."
The First Murderer says that they ought to report to Macbeth, and they exeunt.
Questions1. What is the main event in this scene?