Macbeth Act III Synopsis and Questions:
Scene i: Banquo, aware that all the prophesies for Macbeth have come true, wonders if now the prophesy to
him will come true, too. He somewhat suspects Macbeth’s foul play in the murder of the King. Macbeth and
Lady Macbeth invite Banquo to a feast, and Banquo goes off to ride horses for the day with Fleance. Then
Macbeth hires murderers to kill Banquo.
Scene ii: Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are talking – she is worried that he keeps himself alone, and still broods
over his guilt with the murder of Duncan. “What’s done is done” she tells him. Macbeth envies Duncan who is
dead and can no longer worry, feel, fear, or hurt; but also intimates that if he can just rid himself of Banquo,
then he will be able to relax. Lady Macbeth asks what they should do – but Macbeth will not tell her of the
murder plan; instead he wants her “innocent of the knowledge” and hopes that she can rip herself away from the
devil that enslaves himself by her not knowing what else he is going to do.
Scene iii: The murderers set upon Banquo and Fleance out in a garden outside the palace. They kill Banquo,
but Fleance gets away.
Scene iv: The banquet at Macbeth’s palace. The murderers enter and tells Macbeth that they have killed
Banquo, but not Fleance. Everyone sits to dine, and Macbeth realizes there is no seat for him – since Banquo’s
ghost has taken his seat. Macbeth nearly goes mad with his guilt and fear. The ghost then disappears, and
Macbeth toasts his guests and Banquo. Then the ghost appears again, and then once again disappears. The
banquet is called short and everyone goes off to bed. Macbeth and Lady Macbeth discuss Macduff – he has
refused to come to the palace since Macbeth has been named king . . .
Scene v: One of the witches talks with Hecate – the queen of the witches/the goddess of witchcraft – who is
angry that the witches didn’t consult her before speaking to Macbeth in their riddles on the heath. She sends the
witch off to get the other two and to meet her ready to make spells in hell on the next morning. She, however,
will go of to do some more work on the situation before the meeting with them.
Scene vi: Fleance is blamed for his father’s death, just like Malcolm and Donalbain were blamed for their
father’s death. And, according to Lennox, Macbeth’s anger and sorrow over Banquo’s death was as great as his
sorrow over Duncan’s. All of this is tongue in cheek, however . . . people are starting to suspect Macbeth. Not
openly, though. Macduff has gone to England (rumor has it) to enlist the help of noblemen there to put
Malcolm back on the throne.
Questions:
1. Macbeth feels Banquo is the thorn in his flesh because of the prophesy of the witches. In lines 51-77 of
scene I, what else does he fear is true?
2. How does Macbeth convince the murderers to kill Banquo?
3. What does Lady Macbeth mean:
Of sorriest fancies your companions making
Using those thoughts which should indeed have died
With them they think on? Things without all remedy
Should be without regard
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Why does Macbeth envy Duncan?
Why doesn’t Macbeth want Lady Macbeth to know that he’s plotted against Banquo?
Why is Macbeth distressed that Fleance is not killed?
What does Macbeth mean in lines 91-99 of scene iv?
Is Banquo’s ghost actually at the banquet? What is your evidence?
How does Lady Macbeth “deal” with the ghost?
10. Hecate’s lines give us a huge insight into how we might ‘fight’ evil/Evil. What do these words mean
and what do they have to teach us?
He shall spurn fate, scorn death, and bear
His hopes ‘bove wisdom, grace, and fear:
And you all know security
Is mortal’s chiefest enemy