Summaries Act III

Scene 1
Banquo is getting ready to go horseback riding. He reflects on the fact that even though Macbeth has accomplished everything the witches promised, he thinks that it has been “played most foully for’t”. He knows something is up.

Macbeth and Lady Macbeth enter the scene praising Banquo and inviting him for dinner.
Banquo says he is going riding with his son Fleance, and that he will try to make it.

Macbeth gives his famous speech about his guilt over killing Duncan, his fear of Banquo knowing the truth, and his resent for Banquo’s future children. Macbeth says: “They hailed him a father to a line of kings./Upon my head they placed a fruitless crown/ and put a barren scepter in m gripe,” He is clearly upset at the fact that the witches prophesized that Banquo would have sons to take over the crown, while Macbeth would have no children to become future heirs. This is a great example of both transformation and guilt in the play.

Macbeth meets with two murderers to plan the murder of Banquo. He convinces them that Banquo has done them wrong and that if they don’t kill him, they are like dogs. They agree to kill Banquo.

Scene 2
Lady Macbeth meets with Macbeth. (She is unaware of the plan)
Lady Macbeth says ‘tis safer to be that which we destroy/Than by destruction dwell in doubtful joy.”
Macbeth alludes to the fact that they have only “scorched the snake, not killed it” and that he is worried about Banquo. He goes on a long rant about how much better off they would be if they were dead.
Lady Macbeth tells him to relax and ‘sleek o’er [his] rugged looks, be bright and jovial/ among your guests tonight.” This is a great example of appearance vs. reality in the play.
Macbeth says he will be cool and hints at the plans he has made to have Banquo killed.

Scene 3
Three murderers show up to kill Banquo. The original two murderers are confused about the presence of the third guy. Some scholars believe that this third man could be Macbeth, Lady Macbeth or a servant. Along comes Banquo and Fleance. The murderers attack them and Banquo is killed. Fleance escapes.

Scene 4
Macbeth is hosting a big banquet for all of his guests.
The first murderer has returned for the killing and greets Macbeth. He reveals to Macbeth that although they killed Banquo, “Fleance is scaped.”

Macbeth gathers himself and re-enters the party. He is socializing when Lennox tells him to take a seat. Macbeth casually replies that the table is full. Everyone seems pretty shocked about this because the King’s seat has been reserved.
All of a sudden Macbeth realizes that it is Banquo’s ghost who is sitting in his chair. He panics about this and freaks out. He shouts out “Thou canst not say I did it; never shake/ Thy gory locks at me!” This vision demonstrates the guilt he feels for having Banquo murdered. Lady Macbeth acknowledges this fact when she shouts out “This is the very painting of your fear”. She goes on to tell him to relax and that “when all’s done/You look but on a stool!”

Eventually the ghost leaves and Macbeth tries to calm down a bit. Lady Macbeth tries to reassure everyone that all is well.
Banquo’s Ghost reappears---everything goes crazy again. Finally Lady Macbeth tells everyone to leave. She says: “At once, good night./ Stand not upon the order of your going,/ But go at once. ” Everyone leaves except Lady Macbeth and Macbeth. They have a conversation about his panic attack and he discusses the disorder that has occurred since the death of Duncan- lines 121-129 especially.

Scene 5 and 6 are not on the quiz. These scenes were reportedly not written by Shakespeare. Very interesting stuff.