Macbeth Act 3 Scene 6 (pg. 113-115)

Summary: In Scotland, Lennox and a lord start talking about how weird it is that Duncan is killed and his two runaway sons are blamed, and how later the same thing happens with Banquo. People are starting to suspect of Macbeth, seeing as he was the one that had the most to win. They state that Macduff joined Malcolm, and both of them are currently talking with King Edward to try and convince him to fight for their cause.

People finally realized how much Macbeth had won from these two murders, and suspicions slowly started to emerge. The fair amount of coincidences between both cases was a dead giveaway, yet the events of this scene inform us of the oncoming war.

“Men must not walk too late.” –Lennox (pg. 113)

“But peace. For from broad words, and ‘cause he failed his presence at tyrant’s feast.” –Lennox (pg. 115)

Macbeth Act 4 Scene 5 (pg. 111-113)

Summary: The witches meet and are joined by Hecate, the goddess of witches. Hecate is angry because the sisters meddled with Macbeth without consulting her first. She states that his previous actions were done for his own purposes, not for them. She tells them to meet Macbeth in the morning, where he would learn his fate.

There is a lot of word play in Hecate’s monologue. Apart from the fact that it follows a rhyme scheme, she uses several metaphors and alliterations, probably to not only reiterate her power and control over the witches but to persuade them to follow her plan and allow her to deal with Macbeth in her own way.

“Spiteful and wrathful, who, as others do, loves for his own ends, not for you.” –Hecate (pg. 111)

“Upon the corner of the moon there hangs a vap’rous drop profound. I’ll catch it ere it come to ground, and that… shall raise such artificial sprites as by the strength of their illusion.” –Hecate (pg. 111)

Macbeth Act 3 Scene 4 (pg. 99-109)

Summary: At the start of the banquet, the first murderer walks in and tells Macbeth about Banquo’s death and Fleance’s escape. Banquo’s ghost suddenly appears, sending him into a horror fit. No one else can see the ghost, so Lady Macbeth brushes it off. However when the ghost reappears, she can no longer pretend nothing is wrong with the upset Macbeth. She calls an end to the banquet and everyone but her and her husband leave. Macbeth decides to have another meeting with the witches, yet expresses his uncertainty about what the future holds.

Lady Macbeth: My husband has lost it! I knew he was a coward, but I didn’t understand just how far his lack of courage went. He has become insane! The guilt of killing Duncan is consuming him slowly, and it has now caused him to lose his mind. I hope the witches can talk some sense into him tomorrow. For the time being I leave matters in their hands, there’s only so much a woman can do!

“His absence, sir, lays blame upon his promise.” –Ross (pg. 101)

“It will have blood, they say; blood will have blood. Stones have been known to move, and trees to speak;” – Macbeth (pg. 109)

Macbeth Act 3 Scene 3 (pg. 95-97)

Summary: The two murderers sent by Macbeth are joined by a third one, who claims to have been sent by Macbeth. Banquo and Fleance come nearer. The murderers attack and succeed in killing Banquo, without him first telling his son to take revenge for his murder. Fleance escapes in a moment of darkness. The murderers go back to the castle to report the events.

I find it interesting how Banquo’s dying wish is for his son to seek revenge over his death. One would imagine that more important things are going through your mind seconds before perishing, but this was not the case. By this turn of events, the reader can predict that Fleance will be the one that goes after Macbeth, knowing that he could actually beat him and take his throne and power, so kindly given to him by the deeds of the Weïrd sisters.

“Then stand with us. – the west yet glimmers with some streaks of day.” –First Murderer (pg. 97)

“Thou mayst revenge – o slave!” –Banquo (pg. 97)

Macbeth Act 3 Scene 2 (pg. 91-95)

Summary: Lady Macbeth talks to her husband and tells him to stop being so gloomy, that he cant change the past and should therefore stop dwelling on gloomy thoughts. Macbeth informs her that Banquo won’t be at the banquet , but doesn’t tell her about the murder.

Although it is not completely useless, this scene is of little importance compared to the other ones. All we find out is that Lady Macbeth knows nothing about Banquo’s murder. This might be form of foreshadowing or may even hold a hidden meaning, but considering where I am in the book, that much could be said in another scene.

“’Tis safer to be that which we destroy than by destruction dwell in doubtful joy.” –Lady Macbeth (pg. 91)

“better to be with the dead, whom we, to gain our peace, have sent to peace, than on the torture of the mind to lie in restless ecstasy.” –Macbeth (pg. 93)