MACBETH ACT III NOTES

English 10Miss. Bovee

Scene IOn stage alone, Banquo puts it altogether, realizing that Macbeth has had a murderous hand in fulfilling the prophecy of the witches.

Banquo recalls that the weird sisters also foretold that Banquo's descendants (but not he himself) would one day rule in Scotland.

Macbeth enters in regal attire. Macbeth has indeed been crowned King of Scotland per King Duncan’s tragic death. Macbeth has learned that Banquo and his heir, Fleance, plan to go horseback riding.

All but Macbeth and his servants exit, and Macbeth begins to scheme on killing Banquo and Fleance to prevent this part of the witches' prophecy from coming true. He arranges for two murderers to kill them when they return from their ride into the forest. Banquo perishes at the hand of the hired murders, while Fleance escapes and flees from the bloody death scene.

Together alone, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth discuss the threat that Banquo and Fleance represent to their throne.

Macbeth hints to his wife that Macbeth has arranged for their elimination without telling her about the details of the plot that is now unfolding.

Role reversals between the characters become evident in this scene to the readers/watchers of the play.

Scene 2

Scene 3At a park near the royal palace, the two felons joined by a third murderer attack Banquo and Fleance.

Banquo is killed, but Fleance escapes. (Fleance FLEES)

Scene 4At the palace, a banquet is being held by Macbeth when

one of the murderers arrives at the door and informs the new king of what has occurred. Banquo has been killed but Fleance Fled the scene. “The venom of the serpent still lies in his young worm”

When Macbeth returns to his guests, he sees the ghost of Banquo at the table. Although no one else perceives the ghost, Macbeth is visibly shaken by this vision.

Lady Macbeth explains to their guests that her husband is suffering from a periodic illness, that his fit is but momentary. Macbeth appears to recover, but then the Ghost of Banquo appears to him again.

The banquet ends abruptly and when the rest leave, Macbeth tells his wife that he will seek out the witches to learn about all the remaining threats against them.

SCENE 5In an "open place," the demon goddess Hectate scolds the three witches for not including her in their plans for Macbeth.

She advises them to make-up potent spells to cast on Macbeth when they meet him again.

Scene 6In another part of Scotland, the noble Lenox and a second lord talk about the deaths of Duncan and Banquo and relate the news that Duncan's son Malcolm is in England.

Malcolm gathering an army to overthrow Macbeth. Along with Macduff and the King of England, Lenox supports the cause of Malcolm to wrest the throne from the murderous Macbeth.

Macduff fled after Duncan’s death to find Malcolm in order to create an alliance against Macbeth. Macduff has suspected Macbeth’s loyalty ever since Act II when Duncan was viciously murdered.