MACBETH ACT III

Scene 1 – Macbeth’s castle

Banquo enters.

He is suspicious of Macbeth and his actions. He thinks that Macbeth has

fulfilled the prophecy by resorting to evil means. According to the
prophecy, Macbeth’s lineage will not continue as kings. But Banquo’s
prophecy stated that his would.

Since Macbeth’s prophecy came true (verities), Banquo hopes that his
would as well and his lineage will continue as kings. He starts believing
the prophecy and drops his wariness a bit. But he does not act upon it and
lets it be.

Macbeth and Lady Macbeth enter. (And Lennox, Ross, Lords, Attendants
etc).

There is a change in power dynamics between Macbeth and Banquo,

resulting in a theme of kingship.

Lady Macbeth’s kind and respectful words for Banquo – if he had been
forgotten…gap in feast…unbecoming (improper) – are false and she does
not feel this love and respect for him. Instead, she is feeling hatred,
wariness etc. Theme of Appearances vs Reality.

Banquo says – Let your highness Command upon me; to the which my
duties Are with a most indissoluble tie for ever knit. This dialogue sounds
forced, as if he was forced to do so. The shift in power dynamics is
significant. From companions, he became bound to Macbeth by the bond
of duty.

Macbeth begins asking questions to Banquo. Ride you this afternoon, is it

far you ride, who do you ride with, when will you come back, etc. Although
they seem innocent, they are a way of extricating information from
Banquo in order to plan his murder efficiently.

Macbeth informs Banquo that he would have liked to hear his advice that
day, suggesting that he sees Banquo as level-headed and trustworthy.
This however, is ironic as Macbeth refused to heed Banquo’s earlier advice
regarding the Witches – “and oftentimes, to win us to our harm, the
instruments of darkness tell us truths.”

While asking questions, it is crucial to note that Macbeth does not jump
into questions directly, but rather provides apt reasonings or fill-ins before
asking, in order to reduce suspicion.
After he is done with extricating information, he also tells him that
Malcolm and Donaldbain are in England and Ireland, possibly running
away after parricide and spreading fabricated lies/rumours to other
people. He ends by saying they will discuss it later together. Then, after
this fill-in, he asks if Fleance is going with Banquo, possibly to plan both of
their murders.

MACBETH’S SOLILOQUY - IMPORTANT

To be thus is nothing,

But to be safely thus.

Macbeth starts by saying that it is nothing to be a king as he is right now –

he must be king in safety.

Our fears in Banquo

Stick deep, and in his royalty of nature

Reigns that which would be feared. ‘Tis much he dares,

And to that dauntless temper of his mind

He hath a wisdom that doth guide his valor

To act in safety. There is none but he

Whose being I do fear, and under him

He says that he fears Banquo deeply. There is something overpowering in

his natural nobility of character that Macbeth should be afraid of.

Reasons for fear –

1. Royalty in nature – Banquo has a naturally noble character.

2. The prophecy stated that he would not be king but his descendants
will.
3. He is a risk taker – tis much he dares.
4. He has unbreakable courage which is guided by wisdom (dauntless
temper) to act after thinking (safely)

My genius is rebuked, as it is said

Mark Antony’s was by Caesar. He chid the sisters

When first they put the name of king upon me

And bade them speak to him. Then, prophetlike,

 They hailed him father to a line of kings.

Mark Antony Allusion - Mark Antony was rival to Julius Caesar's heir,
Octavius. He was told by a prophet that his genius/guiding spirit was not
powerful enough to oppose Octavius Caesar. In the same way, Macbeth’s
genius is not powerful enough to oppose Banquo.

He is brave enough to scold/chid the witches and find out about his own
prophecy which was that his descendants will become king.

Upon my head they placed a fruitless crown

And put a barren scepter in my grip,

Thence to be wrenched with an unlineal hand,

No son of mine succeeding. If ’t be so,

For Banquo’s issue have I filed my mind;

Upon Macbeth’s head, they put a fruitless crown – childless crown. Barren
sceptre also indicates that it cannot be passed on to his lineage. This
sceptre will be snatched from Macbeth’s hands and given to those who
are not in his line of descent.

He questions whether he has killed for Banquo. Macbeth can think of

nothing else but the idea that Banquo will be the father of kings, not him.

His words suggest that he feels the act of Murder was pointless, as having
the crown is worthless if he cannot have his own children inherit.

For them the gracious Duncan have I murdered;

Put rancors in the vessel of my peace

Only for them; and mine eternal jewel

Given to the common enemy of man,

To make them kings, the seed of Banquo kings!

Has he murdered Duncan (note – gracious) for Banquo’s prophecy to be

fulfilled? His peace has been sacrificed (bitter/rancour) just for Banquo. He
depicts his frustration with this prophecy.

He states that he has sold his soul (eternal jewel) to the devil (common
enemy of a man) just to make the seeds of Banquo – his descendants –
kings.
He is angry that he has given his “eternal jewel” by turning his back on
God and committing regicide, only for Banquo’s benefit.

Rather than so, come fate into the list,

And champion me to th’ utterance. Who’s there?

Macbeth ends the soliloquy by saying that he will not let Banquo win. He
will challenge fate into keeping the crown to himself.

Enter Murderers.

Macbeth is attempting to persuade the murderers to kill Banquo by saying

that he was their enemy is Banquo and the reason why they suffered in
the past was because of his torture. This is ironic.

He says that the murderers were deceived, misled, and tricked by Banquo
and the only reason why they’re suffering is due to him.

He, in order to convince them, questions their religion and manhood. He

insults them by asking whether they have been brainwashed by good
spirit or if they are too religious that they will forgive him when he has
wronged them and impoverished them and their family. He uses rhetorics.

Note the theme of Appearances vs Reality and Manhood.

He challenges their manhood (similar to Lady Macbeth challenging

Macbeth’s manhood) by saying that men are brave and violent. Men can
be – just like dogs – classified under different breeds. But their qualities
and abilities is what makes them true men – something distinguishing
them from others. All humans have their place and rank. Animal imagery.

He says, currently, those murderers are at the lowest rank. But, if they are
ready to join Macbeth, and if they’re not cowards, they will rise up and
bring them closer to Macbeth.

Macbeth says that he will feel sick as long as Banquo is alive, but he will
be perfectly fine once he’s dead.

The murderers agree. One says that he is angry of beatings that the world
has given him. Other says that he is tired of bad luck and being at the
mercy of fate. They will risk everything to fix their lives.

Macbeth reiterates that Banquo is the real enemy. He says that every
minute Banquo’s alive, he feels threatened. As king, he could use his
powers to destroy him but they cannot since they have mutual friends
who he needs for his own benefits.
He says he must pretend to grieve and cry over Banquo’s death even if he
was the one who had him killed. He says he has to hide his real plans from
the public eye, EVEN FROM LADY MACBETH.

Directions of Murder: He says that he will tell them where, when (that
night but exact time), who to murder. He said there must be clearness. No
one should suspect Macbeth. The murder must be away from the palace.
No evidence should be left. Fleance must also die.

The scene ends with a rhyming couplet. Banquo thy soul’s flight/If it find
heaven, must it find out tonight. This is similar to the couplet at the end of
the scene of Macbeth’s dagger hallucination where he says “Hear it not
Duncan, for it is a bell/That summons thee to Heaven, or to Hell.” Here,
Macbeth just makes up his mind to kill Banquo.

HEAVEN OR HELL

END OF SCENE

Scene 2 – Macbeth’s castle

Lady Macbeth enters.

This scene mirrors Act 1, Scene 5. However, in the previous murder, Lady
Macbeth was in charge, now Macbeth is. CHANGE IN GENDER ROLES.

Lady Macbeth says nothing has been gained. We have lost everything
without happiness. This contrasts to Act 2 where the only way they could
have happiness was through murder.

She says that it is better to be the one who is killed rather than the one
who is living in doubt and anxiety. She seems to be disillusioned and
anxious. This highlights the trapping of power and fame.

Macbeth enters.

Lady Macbeth asks Macbeth why he is over thinking sorry/sad/gloomy

thoughts – sorriest fancies. Those thoughts should have died along with
the men he was thinking about – possibly Duncan. What is done is done.

Macbeth uses snake and animal imagery, talking about the ironical theme
of expectation vs reality (NOT APPEARANCE VS REALITY). He says that
they have merely hurt the snake but not killed it. Here, the snake is a
metaphor for Banquo.

The snake will heal and they will be, once again, threatened by its fangs.
He says that Banquo is dangerous to them.
He says the universe will fall apart, and the heaven and earth will collapse
before he eats his means in fear or spends his nights by the nightmares
he has been having.

His words are parallel to Lady Macbeth’s previous words. He says, it is

better to be dead than be tormented by anxiety and nightmares. The only
way they can get peace is though death.

He says Duncan has suffered through the worst betrayal ever. He has
nothing to worry about, so he sleeps well (albeit, forever). No steel
(weapons) or poison, rebellion, invasion – NOTHING can touch him further.

Lady Macbeth senses Macbeth’s fear and desperation and pleads him to
wash away or fearful looks and be bright and happy in front of guests.

Macbeth says that he will. He tells Lady Macbeth to pay close attention to
Banquo, speak to him in a way that makes him feel important.
APPEARANCES VS REALITY. He says they are unsafe as long as we have to
flatter Banquo. He tells her to wash away their reputation in these
flattering streams (false insincere compliments) – façade. Disguise true
feelings of guilt, ambition, anxiety, and fear.

Macbeth says, his mind is full of scorpions (REPTILE IMAGERY). Scorpions

are poisonous creatures. His brain is rotten and spoilt, full of poison and
evilness. It is ironical that even though Banquo is portrayed as a snake, it
is Macbeth’s mind that is truly poisonous.

Lady Macbeth mentions that Banquo is not immortal.

Macbeth, discreetly, hints at his plan, without letting Lady Macbeth know
much. He says that Banquo is vulnerable. He uses imagery by saying that
before the bat flies secretively in the darkness and before Hecate
summons beetles that announce the arrival of night, a dreadful deed will
be done.

LADY MACBETH DOES NOT KNOW OF THE MURDER.

Macbeth tells her to be innocent and not know what is going on. After the
deed, they can celebrate.

COME SEELING NIGHT – Parallel to Lady Macbeth’s Come thick night.

Macbeth calls upon the night to cover the gentle/tender/pitiful eye of day
(LIGHT AND DARK IMAGERY) and with its bloody, invisible hand, put an
end to Banquo and Fleance’s lives.

The word – bond – hints at the cancellation of Macbeth and his humanity’s
bond. Note – a simple legal contract (bond) is being used to describe such
an important connection. His direct connection with the natural world
keeps him fearful.

Things achieved by bad deeds will only grow stronger with more bad
deeds. (Once you tell a lie, you must tell 100 more to protect it).

MACBETH TALKS IN RHYME SCHEME AT THE END. This shows the

comparison to evil Hecate and witches and the way they talk.

END OF SCENE

Scene 3 – Some distance from Macbeth’s castle

The murderers are present.

This scene takes place in dark. Murderers carry lanterns.

A third murderer is added to the group – maybe Macbeth does not trust
the murderer’s abilities.

Note how there are three murderers – allusion to three witches? Three is
an evil number

When Banquo and Fleance enter, the murderers attack.

First murderer strikes out the light. This causes Fleance’s escape.

Banquo tells Fleance to take revenge.

Filler scene – between two heavy scenes.

END OF SCENE

Scene 4 – Banquet Hall in Macbeth’s Castle

Lords, Macbeth, Lady Macbeth are present.

Greetings etc happen. Macbeth presents himself as a generous host. They

use the word welcome a lot.

Aside – murderers are there

Macbeth gets to know that Banquo is dead. He is joyous. But he finds out
that Fleance is not dead.

Hearing this, Macbeth is clearly upset. He says that he had been perfect
and safe but now there is fear lurking around. Whole as the
marble/founded as the rock (simile) describes a sense of security in
Macbeth’s position and how it would have been had both Banquo and
Fleance been killed.
In contrast, he is now confined by the knowledge of Fleance’s freedom.
Harsh alliteration complements the sense of the horrific state of fear in
which Macbeth now finds himself.

The first murderer says that the gashes in Banquo’s head were as deep as
trenches, with each sufficient to kill him.

Snake motif – Banquo is a serpent and worm is Fleance. He uses this to

convey his insecurities about Banquo and the throne. He says Fleance is
too young and harmless right now but later he will be poisonous.

Lady Macbeth draws attention to his duty as a host. A banquet is no better

than a simple meal unless the guests feel welcomed by the host. It is
better to eat at home but social rituals of a formal occasion add the
“sauce” to the meal eaten away from home. Basically, telling him to be a
good host.

Macbeth blames Banquo for breaking his promise and not coming to the
Banquet (IRONY).

GHOST OF BANQUO ENTERS AND SITS IN MACBETH’S PLACE – Talks about

“borrowed robes” and how Macbeth knows that the king’s seat is not his,
but rather Banquo’s descendants and Banquo is more suited for it.

Macbeth is suspicious and familiar with deceit. He believes that one of the
Lords is playing a trick on him – he sees Banquo’s ghost (ONLY ONE TO
SEE).

The horror of the ghost’s appearance – gory locks/bloody hair/blood

imagery. He gives a clue to the others that he is talking about some
blood/murder.

Lady Macbeth tries to play it safe and take control, cleverly blaming
Macbeth’s outburst on a mental illness from childhood in order to reassure
the Lords. She says to ignore him so that he doesn’t get worse. When she
addresses Macbeth, she uses the same method that she used in precious
scenes: questions his manhood.

Macbeth earlier used to give in but now he is not cowering down. He says
that he is a bold man. He says that what he is seeing (Ghost) is so
terrifying that even the Devil will be scared.

Lady Macbeth ignores him. She says that this is the same hallucination
that you saw – picture of his fear (Dagger, ghost). Lady Macbeth questions
his bravery, claiming that his fears are as pathetic as those found in a
woman’s story that a grandmother would find suitable. This mockery used
to work earlier but now it doesn’t. Their relationship is drifting apart.
Macbeth says – to the ghost – that if graves and buildings send the bodies
back, then monuments for the dead will be nothing more than the
stomachs of those birds that feed of the dead. He is haunted by the dead
not staying dead.

The ghost, so hideous that it would "appal the devil," appears to have
risen from a grave or a "charnel-house." Macbeth cannot understand why
what is dead should "be alive again," when its bones should "be
marrowless" and its blood "cold."

He says that in ancient times, before thee was law and order, a lot of
blood was shed. Murders had been committed. He is saying that the dead
are rising again, with twenty mortal murders (parallel to twenty trenched
gashes) on their heads. This returning of the dead is stranger than the
original murder.

In the end, they brush it off.

GHOST ENTERS AGAIN.

Notice how whenever Banquo’s topic is brought up, the ghost is there.

When Macbeth sees the ghost again, he panics and tells the ghost to go
away. He says that its bones are “marrowless” and its blood is “cold”. It
cannot see with those eyes which it is glaring with. He is scared.

Lady Macbeth is frantically trying to calm everyone down.

What man dare, I dare.

Approach thou like the rugged Russian bear,

The armed rhinoceros, or th’ Hyrcan tiger;

Take any shape but that, and my firm nerves

Shall never tremble. Or be alive again,

And dare me to the desert with thy sword.

If trembling I inhabit then, protest me

The baby of a girl. Hence, horrible shadow!

Unreal mockery, hence!

Macbeth starts by saying that he dares as much as any other man (similar
to Act 1 Scene 7). Macbeth claims that no enemy would make him afraid:
bear, rhino, tiger, or a living man. But this unreal man cannot be fought.
If anyone approaches him in the form of a rugged Russian bear, an armed
rhino, or a Hyrcan (near Caspian Sea) tiger (they were large and fierce),
he would be able to take them on.

But he says that this shapeless form of a ghost is something that he fears.
He says that if the ghost comes alive with a proper form, he will be ready
to duel it in a deserted place. If he trembles at that time, he tells it to
mock him like a little girl’s doll.

After the ghost leaves, he is back to normal. But Lady Macbeth is upset
and mad. She says that he has displaced the mirth/joy and destroyed
everyone’s cheerful mood with his behaviour.

Macbeth, trying to justify himself, asks the guests whether such things
exist (ghosts) and overcome a person suddenly like a summer storm
(strangeness and brevity of the ghostly vision) without special wonder
(without making everyone astonished).

He says that the guests make him feel as if he doesn’t know his own
character and courage. He questions his own character when he believes
that these guests and lady Macbeth can see the ghost. He asks how can
they see such gruesome sights and still manage to keep the ruby of their
cheeks/not turn pale while he is white with fear.

When Ross tries to question, Lady Macbeth shuts him up, takes control,
and tells all to leave. She says that he is getting worse. She tells them to
just leave without worrying about their ranks and the order with which
they leave (weirdly enough, they started the scene by telling the guests to
sit according to their social status).

When they’re alone (Macbeth and Lady Macbeth), Macbeth states that
“blood will have blood”. This is an allusion to “We but teach bloody
instructions…return to plague the inventor – Act 1 Scene 7). It is as if the
ghost has come to seek Macbeth’s blood. (NOTE PARANOIA). Macbeth is
worried that his secret will be disclosed by nature.

He specifically says that gravestones have been known to move, trees to

speak, birds to cackle out the names of even the most secret murderers.
He says that these unnatural things indicate that speaking birds have
given omens (augures) and signs have revealed the most secret and
hidden murders by the means of speaking birds.

Nature will reveal what he is so desperately trying to hide. Soothsayers

can read nature (magot-pies, choughs, rooks) and bring out his truth.

He brings up Macduff’s absence. He says that he heard indirectly (spied)

and found out that Macduff may disobey him. He says he will go see the
witches and they will tell him more. He wants to know what is the worst
that can happen. He believes that his interests are the most important.

He says that he has come so far and sank into the river of blood that even
if he stopped now, it would be very hard and troublesome to go back as
compared to continue forward. He says he has some plans that he wishes
to act upon and not reflect.

In the end, they go to sleep. He says that his delusions and fears come
from inexperience. He says he is not that experienced in evilness and both
of them are just beginners when It comes to bad and evil deeds.

END OF SCENE

Scene 5 – A deserted place with thunder –

UNIMPORTANT SCENE
Witches and Hecate enter.

Clearly, Hecate is angry.

Have I not reason, beldams as you are?

Saucy and overbold, how did you dare

To trade and traffic with Macbeth

In riddles and affairs of death,

And I, the mistress of your charms,

The close contriver of all harms,

Was never called to bear my part,

Or show the glory of our art?

She says that she has reason to be angry. She asks them how dare they
trick Macbeth with riddles and prophecies without including her, the
source of their powers/creator of evil things/greatest practitioner of magic.

And, which is worse, all you have done

Hath been but for a wayward son,

Spiteful and wrathful, who, as others do,

 Loves for his own ends, not for you.

But make amends now. Get you gone,

She says that what is worse is that they’ve done all this for an unreliable,
wayward, angry, spiteful, and wrathful person. He only cares for himself
and his wants, not for others. She tells them to make amends.

And at the pit of Acheron

Meet me i’ th’ morning. Thither he

Will come to know his destiny.

Your vessels and your spells provide,

Your charms and everything beside.

She tells them to meet her at the pit of Acheron (Underworld River), where
Macbeth will go to learn his destiny. Bring your
caludrons/spells/charms/etc.

I am for the air. This night I’ll spend

Unto a dismal and a fatal end.

Great business must be wrought ere noon.

Upon the corner of the moon

There hangs a vap’rous drop profound.

She says that she will spend the night working to make a terrible/deadly
outcome for him and she must accomplish all of this before noon. It was
believed that witches could invoke the moon to shed a malign influence
on herbs and other objects.

I’ll catch it ere it come to ground.

And that distilled by magic sleights

Shall raise such artificial sprites

As by the strength of their illusion

Shall draw him on to his confusion.

When the drop falls, she will catch it and charm it with magical spells. She
will raise up spirits that will trick Macbeth with illusions, making him walk
right into his own destruction.

He shall spurn fate, scorn death, and bear

His hopes ‘bove wisdom, grace, and fear.

And you all know, security

Is mortals’ chiefest enemy.

She says that he may think that he can control fate, can mock death and
he may think he doesn’t need wisdom, grace, or fear and he is above
them but he is not. Security is mortals’ chiefest enemy means that
overconfidence will cause his downfall (overconfidence is mortal’s worst
enemy)

END OF SCENE

Scene 6 – Somewhere in Scotland

Enter Lennox and Lord

The scene is full of sarcasm (tongue-in-cheek language). Summary of

what has happened so far. Recap scene.

The scene marks the turning point and we notice a shift from Macbeth’s
inner world to external threat.

Lennox’s speech is deeply ironic, reflecting the danger posed by speaking

freely in the oppressive Scotland under Macbeth’s rule.

LENNOX’S SPEECH – IRONY AND SARCASM:

My former speeches have but hit your thoughts,

Which can interpret further. Only I say

Things have been strangely borne. The gracious Duncan

Was pitied of Macbeth. Marry, he was dead.

What Lennox has said before shows the similarity and the parallelism of
his and the Lord’s thoughts. He says that they can draw further (their
own) conclusions. All he is saying that strange things have been
happening.

Macbeth pitied (said nice words about Duncan) Duncan (gracious – KEY
WORD) only after Duncan was dead.

And the right-valiant Banquo walked too late,

Whom, you may say, if ’t please you, Fleance killed,

For Fleance fled. Men must not walk too late.

Who cannot want the thought how monstrous

It was for Malcolm and for Donalbain

He said that the valiant/brave Banquo walked outside too late. Fleance
killed Banquo since he fled from the scene. Just like how Malcolm and
Donaldbain fled after murdering Duncan, Fleance did as well. (STRANGE
DEATHS/DÉJÀ VU)

To kill their gracious father? Damned fact!

How it did grieve Macbeth! Did he not straight

In pious rage the two delinquents tear

That were the slaves of drink and thralls of sleep?

Was not that nobly done? Ay, and wisely too,

Who will disagree that it was monstrous of Malcolm and Donaldbain to kill
their gracious father (Duncan). They committed such a damned
act/gruesome/cruel act.

It grieved Macbeth greatly. Thus, in an obvious/pious/loyal/righteous rage,

he immediately killed those two servants/delinquents while they were
clearly drunk and sleeping.

He said that it was done nobly and wisely. (WISELY IS SARCASM) It would
anger those who would hear the servants deny their guilt.

For ’twould have angered any heart alive

To hear the men deny ’t. So that, I say,

He has borne all things well. And I do think

 That had he Duncan’s sons under his key—

As, an’t please heaven, he shall not—they should find

He believes that if Macbeth had Duncan’s sons in custody, they would

learn the punishment for killing a father and so would Fleance. HE HOPES
THEY AREN’T CAUGHT (hoping they are never found).

What ’twere to kill a father. So should Fleance.

But, peace! For from broad words, and ‘cause he failed

His presence at the tyrant’s feast, I hear

Macduff lives in disgrace. Sir, can you tell

Where he bestows himself?

He says that Macduff lives in disgrace (doesn’t favour the king). He did not
appear at the feast as well.

Note the use of tyrant. Macbeth has turned from Bellona’s bridegroom to a
tyrant.

After this the Lord says that Malcolm (whose birthright was stolen by
Macbeth), lives in England where King Edward treats him respect despite
the wrongness of destiny.

Macduff has gone there to beg Kind Edward to call Northumberland and
warrior Siward to help overthrow Macbeth.

If he succeeds, they will be able to put food on their tables/escape

sleepless nights/enjoy feasts and banquets without murders/pay homage
to our king sincerely/receive honours. Clearly, there is chaos and disorder
due to the Banquet scene and due to Macbeth’s tyranny, none of them
can live in peace. They are yearning for the peace they so rightly deserve.

Macbeth knows of Macduff’s mission and is angry. He is preparing for war.

Even though Macbeth ordered Macduff to return, he denied.

The messenger bearing the news turned his back on Macduff and
hummed as if to say that he will regret the day he gave the messenger
the denial. Maybe, the messenger is aware of Macbeth’s treatment of
those who bring bad news.

Lennox, to this information says that this should be warning enough for
Macduff to continue cautiously and stay away from Scotland and Macbeth.
He says that some holy angel should fly to the court of England and
inform Macduff to return quickly to help their country and save them from
the torture Macbeth is putting them under. CURSED TYRANT.

NOTE – This shows the kind of mindset people have of Macbeth. Dramatic
Irony, Theatrical tension, not seen as a rightful ruler.

END OF SCENE

END OF ACT III

CHARACTERISATION:
BANQUO

Character of Banquo. Unlike Macbeth, who is obsessed by the witches’

prophecies, Banquo fears foul play. He is a foil to Macbeth’s character. He
is morally strong and virtuous, resists evil.

Notice how Banquo’s death was somewhat noble. The reason for death
was his virtues were too strong to be overcome by Macbeth.

Banquo’s death marks not only a plot shift but also a breakdown in
Macbeth’s marriage. They begin to distance from one another. Lady
Macbeth is not involved in this murder. Independence from wife.

Ghost of Banquo – Macbeth’s paranoid mind. Revenge??? Appear and

disappear three times. Notice the number three – redundant throughout
the play.

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MACBETH AND BANQUO TO BE NOTED.

MACBETH

Shakespeare reveals the kind of rule Macbeth offers: brutal and

treacherous. Pretending to honour and value Banquo, his former comrade-
in-arms, Macbeth casually works out his movements to entrap and murder
him and his son.

We see Macbeth persuading others to commit crimes with the same key
argument by which he himself was tempted: namely, to prove their
manhood.

He is cowardly, indecisive, paranoid, guilty, and ambitious. Macbeth

resorts to violence and embraces his evilness, believing that it is easier to
go towards that path. Macbeth thinks that he has paid the price of murder
by sacrificing his innocence and peace.
This is the final part of his character development as a tyrant. There are
two types of Macbeths. First one is the violent and ruthless one. And the
other is the dejected, nihilistic, and dispirited one. He is friendless,
loveless, and hopeless.

Even other people do not think good of him as shown by Macduff’s

disgrace and Lennox and Lord’s conversation.

NOTICE MACBETH’S CHARACTER SLOWLY SPIRILING INTO PARANOIA

(ESPECIALLY IN SCENE 1)

LADY MACBETH

Lady Macbeth is not part of Banquo’s murder. She is antagonistic but she
is slowly becoming more and more weak (SHIFT IN GENDER ROLES).

She is frustrated with Macbeth and we see cracks starting to appear in

Lady Macbeth’s calm. She’s still unaffected by guilt but she is paranoid
and anxious.

She cannot understand why Macbeth is behaving in this way and she is
mocking and chastising him for displaying weakness. She is desperate to
stay in control but Macbeth keeps spinning out of control, away from Lady
Macbeth’s grasp.

When she says Nought’s had, all’s spent…doubtful joy, she implies that
she is worried. She is thinking in black-and-white. One extreme to the
other. From nought to all. We can detect fear in her character. We can see
uncertainty and hesitancy.

She is struggling to adapt.

THEMES
Scene 1: Banquo’s Suspicion & Macbeth’s Fear

 Ambition & Power: Macbeth, now king, realizes that his position is
insecure because Banquo’s descendants are prophesied to inherit
the throne.

"To be thus is nothing, but to be safely thus." (3.1.49-50)

 Paranoia & Fear: Macbeth fears Banquo’s noble nature and

suspects him of being a threat.

"Our fears in Banquo stick deep." (3.1.53)

 Fate vs. Free Will: Macbeth tries to defy fate by ordering Banquo’s
murder.
"Come, fate, into the list, and champion me to th’ utterance!" (3.1.71-72)

 Tyranny & Corruption: Macbeth manipulates the murderers,

convincing them that Banquo is their enemy.

Scene 2: Macbeth’s Growing Darkness

 Guilt & Madness: Macbeth expresses his growing paranoia to Lady

Macbeth.

"O, full of scorpions is my mind, dear wife!" (3.2.36)

 Appearance vs. Reality: Macbeth tells Lady Macbeth to act

normal at the feast while he secretly plots Banquo’s murder.

"Be innocent of the knowledge, dearest chuck." (3.2.45)

Scene 3: The Murder of Banquo

 Violence & Betrayal: Macbeth’s descent into tyranny is solidified

as Banquo is ambushed.

"O treachery! Fly, good Fleance, fly, fly, fly!" (3.3.17)

 Fate vs. Free Will: Fleance escapes, proving that Macbeth cannot
fully control fate.

Scene 4: Banquo’s Ghost & Macbeth’s Breakdown

 Guilt & Madness: Macbeth sees Banquo’s ghost, showing his

unraveling mind.

"Thou canst not say I did it; never shake thy gory locks at me!" (3.4.50-
51)

 Appearance vs. Reality: Macbeth tries to maintain composure,

but his guests grow suspicious.

 Tyranny & Corruption: Macbeth realizes that he must continue

killing to maintain power.

"I am in blood stepped in so far that, should I wade no more, returning

were as tedious as go o’er." (3.4.136-138)

Scene 5: The Witches & Hecate

 Fate vs. Free Will: Hecate scolds the witches for meddling with
Macbeth without her guidance.

 Supernatural Influence: The witches plan to deceive Macbeth

further.

Scene 6: Growing Opposition

  Tyranny & Corruption: Lennox and another lord discuss Macbeth’s
rule, hinting at rebellion.

"We may again give to our tables meat, sleep to our nights." (3.6.33-34)

 Appearance vs. Reality: The nobles suspect Macbeth but must

speak carefully.

MOTIFS/SYMBOLS
Motifs are recurring elements that help develop the themes of the play.

1. Hallucinations & Visions

 Macbeth sees Banquo’s ghost at the banquet (Scene 4),

symbolizing his guilt and paranoia.

"Thou canst not say I did it; never shake thy gory locks at me!" (3.4.50-
51)

 This motif highlights Macbeth’s deteriorating mental state.

2. Blood

 Blood is a constant reminder of Macbeth’s crimes and guilt.

 After Banquo’s murder, Macbeth reflects on the cycle of violence:

"It will have blood, they say: blood will have blood." (3.4.122)

 Blood symbolizes both literal violence and the psychological burden

of guilt.

3. Darkness & Night

 Macbeth associates darkness with evil deeds.

 Before Banquo’s murder, he calls upon night to hide his crimes:

"Come, seeling night, scarf up the tender eye of pitiful day." (3.2.46-47)

 Darkness represents secrecy, treachery, and moral corruption.

4. Sleep & Sleeplessness

 Macbeth’s guilt prevents him from sleeping peacefully.

 Lady Macbeth warns him to act normal at the banquet, but his
disturbed mind betrays him.

 Sleep symbolizes innocence and peace, which Macbeth has lost.

5. Banquets & Feasting

  The banquet in Scene 4 is meant to display Macbeth’s power, but it
turns into a disaster when he sees Banquo’s ghost.

 The motif of feasting contrasts with Macbeth’s inner turmoil—he

cannot enjoy his kingship.

Symbols in Act 3

Symbols are objects or elements that represent deeper meanings.

1. Banquo’s Ghost

 Represents Macbeth’s guilt and fear of Banquo’s prophecy.

 His appearance at the banquet shows that Macbeth cannot escape

his conscience.

2. The Crown

 Symbolizes power, but also the burden of kingship.

 Macbeth realizes that his crown is insecure because of Banquo’s

descendants.

3. The Witches

 Though they appear briefly in Scene 5, they symbolize fate and

manipulation.

 Hecate, their queen, plans to deceive Macbeth further.

MACBETH’S CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT

1. Increasing Paranoia and Fear

 At the beginning of Act 3, Macbeth is deeply unsettled by the

witches’ prophecy that Banquo’s descendants will inherit the throne.

 He admits his fear of Banquo’s noble nature:

"Our fears in Banquo stick deep." (3.1.53)

 Unlike in Act 2, where Lady Macbeth had to push him into action,
Macbeth now takes matters into his own hands.
2. Embracing Tyranny and Ruthlessness

 Macbeth manipulates the murderers into killing Banquo and

Fleance, showing his growing willingness to eliminate threats.

 He no longer consults Lady Macbeth, indicating his increasing

independence in decision-making.

 His ambition has fully taken over, as he declares:

"To be thus is nothing, but to be safely thus." (3.1.49-50)

3. Loss of Morality and Descent into Madness

 Macbeth’s guilt manifests in hallucinations—he sees Banquo’s ghost

at the banquet.

 His breakdown in Scene 4 shows how deeply his crimes are

affecting him:

"Thou canst not say I did it; never shake thy gory locks at me!" (3.4.50-
51)

 His erratic behavior alarms his guests, marking the beginning of his
downfall.

4. Acceptance of Violence as a Means to Power

 By the end of Act 3, Macbeth realizes that he must continue killing

to maintain control.

 He acknowledges that he is too deep in blood to turn back:

"I am in blood stepped in so far that, should I wade no more, returning

were as tedious as go o’er." (3.4.136-138)

 This marks his full transformation into a tyrant.

5. Shift in Relationship with Lady Macbeth

 In earlier acts, Lady Macbeth was the dominant force, pushing

Macbeth to commit murder.

 In Act 3, Macbeth takes control, keeping her in the dark about

Banquo’s murder.

 Lady Macbeth begins to lose influence over him, foreshadowing her

eventual downfall.