Macbeth Act 3

1
Macbeth Act 3
2
Scene One

• -Banquo talks about the weird sisters and the
  fact that Macbeth is now king
• -Banquo points out that the witches might be his
  oracles as wellline 9
• -Macbeth makes sure that Banquo is coming to the
  feast tonight
• -Macbeth asks if Banquo is going for a ride this
  afternoon
• -Macbeth asks all kinds of details about Banquos
  rideasking also if Fleance will be with him.
• -Macbeths soliloquy line 47-72

3

• Reflecting upon how Banquo is the only one who he
  fears
• --Banquo has wisdom, valour, but common sense to
  act safely
• -AllusionMark Antony and Caesar (fearful when
  near anothers guiding spirit)
• Lit terms booklet add Allusion A reference to a
  famous place, literary character/book, historical
  moment, god or goddess for dramatic effect.

4

• Banquos prophesy was that he would beget kings
• -Macbeths crown is fruitless no kiddies for
  Macbeth
• -Macbeth does not want his murderous deed to
  benefit Banquos kids
• -Macbeth is going to try to defy fate ENTER THE
  MURDERERS!!!!!!!
• -Macbeth is hiring murderers to kill Banquo and
  Fleance while they go out riding this afternoon

5
Scene Two

• -Another room in the palaceLady Macbeth and a
  servant talk
• -Lady Macbeth asks to speak with Macbeth
• -Asks Macbeth whats bothering himif its the
  murderline 12 whats done is done
• -Macbeth replies that we have scotchd the
  snake, not killd it worried about the fact that
  Duncan is dead, but he is not safe from the
  prophesies
• -he suffers from affliction of these terrible
  dreams that shake us nightly line 18-19
• -Lady Macbeth attempts to sooth him
• -Full of scorpions is my mind line 36 he will
  not be soothed, his mind is being affected not
  only by Duncans murder, but Banquos as well,
  although he does not share his plan to murder
  Banquo and Fleance with Lady Macbeth
• -Macbeth is now taking on the role of the
  masculine murderer

6
Scene Three

• Murderers kill Banquo but Fleance escapes
• A third murderer was hired by Macbeth to ensure
  that the two murderers complete the deed
• Banquo asks Fleance to get revenge

7
Scene Four

• A banquet is prepared
• Macbeth welcomes his guests (lords etc.)
• At the side door, Macbeth speaks to the
  murdererlearns that Fleance is escaped
• Line 29-31 There the grown serpent lies the
  worm thats fled/ Hath nature that in time will
  venom breed/ No teeth for the present
• L. Macbeth beckons Macbeth back to the feast
• Macbeth will not sit down because he sees that
  there is no place for him to sit because the
  ghost of Banquo is sitting at his place

8

• No one else can see the ghost, and so Macbeth
  appears to be quite mad to his guests
• Lady Macbeth tries to explain away his behaviour.
• Line 116 What sights, my lord says Ross
• Macbeth says before this questions 114 When now
  I think you can behold such sights/ And keep the
  natural ruby of your cheeks Macbeth is asking
  how the people at the feast can look at the ghost
  and still stay sane
• Lady Macbeth sends everyone home in fear that
  Macbeth will reveal what he sees
• Macduff refused to attend the feast
• At the end of the scene Macbeth says we are yet
  but young in deed He is going to continue with
  the blood bath

9
Scene Five

• Hecate (the head witch) is angry because the
  three witches did not include her in their plans
• Macbeth is called a wayward son which indicates
  that he is unfaithful to the evil spirits who
  have been leading him forward in his actions
• Hecate is going to make Macbeth feel secure in
  his situationand that will be his downfall.

10
Scene Six

• VERBAL IRONYthe opposite is said to what is
  meant
• Lennox talks about Macbeths actions, indicating
  that the people in the castle know about his
  treachery
• The lord talks about Malcolm being in the English
  court and how he should be king
• Macduff continues to refuse to come at Macbeths
  bidding
• FORESHADOWING THE issues that Macbeth is about to
  face
• Macduff/Malcolm/his lords suspicious and waiting
  to take action