MACBETH ACT 3
William Shakespeare
Banquo realises the
witches prophecies
of Macbeth has
come true. Wonders
if foul-play is
involved.
Wonders if his will
come true
The Macbeth’s are
royalty now
Will have another
banquet (feast);
Banquo will be the
honoured guest
Despite being long-
time friends, Banquo
uses the new titles
and regards
Macbeth as his
superior
Referring to
Duncan’s sons
Fishing to find out if
Banquo will go
alone.
Revealed to us that
Macbeth is
scheming.
Macbeth is worried
that Banquo’s
prophecies will aslo
come true. This is a
threat to his new
crown.
Macbeth has
already concoct a
plan.
Secret plan will be
revealed.
Macbeth will
continue to feel
uneasy as long as
Banquo remains
alive.
Persuaying the
murderers.
Banquo threatens
his existence.
Macbeth cannot kill
Banquo, it might
grow suspicion to
previous murders.
Fleance’s death will
ascertain that
Banquo’s future
sons will not be
kings.
Lady Macbeth
points out that being
over-ambitious will
lead to one’s
downfall.
Famous line:
Nothing can be
changed.
Macbeth didn’t kill
Duncan’s sons; they
remain the rightful
heirs to the throne.
Macbeth’s
conscience haunts
him. He is jealous of
Duncan who rests
peacefully.
Lady Macbeth
notices that her
husband looks
restless. He
encourages him to
‘put on a face’.
Macbeth agrees to
keep up an
appearance.
His mind is stung by
unpleasant
thoughts.
Another murder will
take place. Lady
Macbeth is unaware
of this.
It is getting dark =
evil awakens.
Banquo is ambushed
& dies. Fleance
escapes.
Previous banquet,
when Duncan was
King everyone would
be seated according
to rank in an
orderly fashion.
With Macbeth as
King, this tradition
has become
disorderly.
Murderes notify
Macbeth of
Banquo’s death.
Fleance escapes
makes Macbeth
fearful. He feels
confined.
Macbeth sees
Banquo’s ghost.
Cannot be seated
seeing as ‘gaps’ are
filled at the table.
Banquo is seated in
this ‘gap’.
Guests notice that
the king is
distressed.
He suspects someone
knows what he has
done and is playing
a trick on him.
Guests notice that
the king is
distressed.
Lady Macbeth tries
to cover for her
husband. Blames his
distress on his ‘fit’
which will go away.
Questions his
manhood
Claims he is a man
for his ability to
face horrible
sightings.
Lady Macbeth
claims it is guilty
conscience that is
acting out. She says
he is just imagining
everything.
Questions his
manhood
What he sees is too
terrible to explain.
Leave my sight!
Covering for her
husband. These ‘fits’
happen regularly
according to her.
Asking the ghost to
take any shape but
that of Banquo’s.
States he is himself
again.
Points out that he
has caused great
chaos.
Sun = warmth/happiness
Cloud = cold/miserable
Happy as a king but
miserable because of how
he became king.
His face is as white as a
ghost because of what
he sees.
Ross wants to know
what he sees
Covers for him once
again. Afraid that
he might reveal
everything. She
orders everyone to
leave the banquet
(utter chaos).
Shows Macbeth is
losing his mind.
Changes the topic:
noticed that
Macduff did not
attend the feast.
He placed a spy in
every thanes house.
He is suspicious of
everyone.
Wants to see them
again to ensure his
rule.
He has killed many
times before. One
more death will not
redeem his soul.
The chief of evil is
upset.
Hecate is upset
because the witches
did not involve her
Macbeth’s affairs.
He will see them
soon and his destiny
will be sealed.
They will raise
spirits to show his
destiny but they will
have obscured
meanings that will
trick him to believe
everything is well.
Notices that sons
are killing their
fathers. All which
were rumours.
Shouldn’t be outside
when it’s dark.
Why did he kill the
servants whilst they
were drunk & unable
to defend
themselves?
Lennox speaks
sarcastically
throughout this
scene. Hinting that
Macbeth is guilty of
the murders.
Macduff has gone
to raise an army to
fight Macbeth.
Act 3 SUMMARY
Macbeth worries that if the witches’ prophecies continue to come
Scene 1 true, Banquo’s children will overthrow him and take the throne.
Macbeth hires murderers to kill Banquo and Fleance.
Macbeth advises Lady Macbeth to be kind to Banquo at the
Scene 2 evening’s feast, so that Banquo might be lured into a false sense of
security.
The murderers ambush Banquo and Fleance at night. Banquo is
Scene 3
killed, but Fleance escapes.
At a royal feast, Macbeth sees Banquo’s ghost and becomes so
frightened that Lady Macbeth clears everyone else from the room.
Scene 4
Macbeth needs to talk to the witches again to learn more about his
future.
The witches meet with Hecate, who counsels them to summon
Scene 5
spirits and visions that fill Macbeth with a false sense of security
when he comes to see them.
Lennox learns that Macduff has gone to England to meet with
Scene 6
Duncan’s son Malcolm and to ask the King of England for help.
