Macbeth: Act 3

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Macbeth Act 3

• Bethany Dickey, Emily Lavergne, Travis Fong,
  Wesley Fisher, Sarah Smith and Lindsay Young

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MAJOR CHARACTERS

• Macbeth
• Lady Macbeth
• Banquo
• Hecate

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Macbeth and Lady Macbeth

• Macbeth plays the biggest role in this act. He is
  married to Lady Macbeth and is now the current
  King of Scotland. Macbeth is wracked with guilt
  over his murder of Duncan. Soon, he will suffer
  even more guilt from another heinous act he has
  yet to commit.

• Lady Macbeth is another major character in this
  act. She is Macbeths wife and therefore the
  Queen of Scotland. She feels some guilt but is
  still hungry for even more power. Lady Macbeth
  is extremely intelligent and powerful and
  controls the majority of Macbeths actions.

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Banquo and hecate

• Banquo dies in this act because Macbeth feels
  threatened by his potential to usurp the throne.
  The witches prophesied that Banquo was to be the
  father of kings, and Banquo is beginning to
  aspire to something greater than his current
  position.

• Hecate is the Queen of the witches. She discusses
  Macbeth with one of the three witches. She is
  displeased with how they have handled him and
  regrets not being more involved. She believes
  that he is a selfish man who doesnt deserve the
  benefits of their witchcraft.

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Minor characters

• The three murderers are hired by Macbeth to kill
  Banquo and Fleance. They express no moral qualms
  about killing.
• Lennox, Ross and the other Lords are mistrustful
  of Macbeth and believe that he will cause the
  downfall of their country.
• The first witch has a very minor role. She is
  obedient to Hecates wishes.
• Fleance is Banquos son. He is the one who is
  most likely to overthrow Macbeth, according to
  the witches prophecy

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Plot overview and important quotes
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Scene 1

• Setting A room in the palace
• Macbeth deceitfully pretends to be Banquos
  friend while he is planning how to kill him.
• Banquo suspects that Macbeth may have killed
  Duncan, but does not say anything.
• Macbeth announces a banquet that night.
• Macbeth tells two murderers when and where to
  kill Banquo and Fleance.

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Scene 1 continued

1. It is concluded Banquo, thy souls flight, if
   it find heaven, must find it out to-night.
   Macbeth (Act 3, Scene 1, Line 158-159) Macbeth
   was talking to himself. He was discussing his
   planned murder of Banquo. This is significant
   because it shows Macbeths determination to have
   him killed. One interesting thing and audience
   member can take from this is the fact that
   Macbeth says that Banquos soul will go to
   heaven.
2. There is none but he whose being I do fear and
   under him my genius is rebuked, as it is said
   Mark Antonys was by Caesar. Macbeth (Act 3,
   Scene 1, Lines 59-61) Macbeth was talking to
   himself. He was describing his main reason for
   wishing Banquo dead he fears that Banquo is
   superior to him and could potentially usurp him.

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Scene 1 continued

• 3. Why, by the verities on thee made good, may
  they not be my oracles as well and set me up in
  hope? Banquo (Act 3, Scene 1, Lines 8-10)
  Banquo was talking to himself. He was describing
  his great ambition. He is saying that since the
  prophecies about Macbeth came true, the ones
  about him may come true as well. This quote is
  significant because it is about ambition, a huge
  theme in Macbeth. It shows the audience members
  that Macbeths suspicions are not unfounded.

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Scene 2

• Setting A room in the palace
• Macbeth and Lady Macbeth feel very guilty and are
  anxious that they will be found out.
• Lady Macbeth tells Macbeth that they must mask
  their anxiety and feign happiness and serenity at
  the banquet.
• Macbeth hints that he has planned something, but
  does not say what.

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Scene 2 continued

• 1. Gentle my lord, sleek oer your rugged
  looks be bright and jovial among your guests
  tonight. Lady Macbeth (Act 3, Scene 2, Lines
  30-31) Lady Macbeth was talking to her husband.
  She is telling him to seem perfectly happy and
  calm at their banquet. This quote is significant
  because it shows Macbeths enormous guilt and
  Lady Macbeths huge intellect in her plans to
  hide their guilt.

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Scene 3

• Setting Outside in a park
• The two murderers are joined by a third, also
  sent by Macbeth.
• Banquo and Fleance arrive with a torch, which is
  accidentally extinguished during the commotion.
• Amidst the confusion, Banquo is stabbed and dies,
  while Fleance escapes.

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Scene 3 continued

• 1. The west yet glimmers with some streaks of
  day. First Murderer (Act 3, Scene 3, Line 7)
  The first murderer was talking to the other two
  murderers. He is describing the setting of the
  scene late twilight with only a little daylight
  left. This quote is significant because it
  contains imagery of darkness. It sets the scene
  for the gloomy dark, atmosphere.

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Scene 4

• Setting A banquet room in the palace
• One of the murderers comes to the door and
  Macbeth is told that the murderers were only
  partially successful.
• Macbeth is called back to the table. Banquos
  ghost appears and he is horrified. The guests are
  confused by his ravings.
• Continued next slide

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Scene 4 Continued

• Lady Macbeth attempts to calm her husband down
  and eventually succeeds.
• Macbeth toasts to Banquo and the ghost reappears.
  Macbeth rants and begins to reveal their secrets
  Lady Macbeth is forced to dismiss their guests.
• Macbeth says to Lady Macbeth that he is angry
  that Macduff did not attend their banquet, and
  reveals that he plans to visit the witches again.

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Scene 4 continued

• 1. Come, well to sleep. My strange and
  self-abuse is the initiate fear, that wants hard
  use we are yet but young in deed. Macbeth (Act
  3, Scene 4, Lines 172-174) Macbeth was talking to
  Lady Macbeth. He is referring to the fact that he
  is allowing his guilt from the murders of Duncan
  and Banquo to weigh heavily on his conscience.

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Scene 5

• Hecate, the queen of witches is angry at the
  witches for not involving her in their doings
  with Macbeth.
• She knows that Macbeth plans to seek out the
  witches the next day.
• They plot to lead Macbeth to his downfall by
  causing him to be overconfident.

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Scene 6

• Lennox and another lord discuss their suspicions
  about Macbeths crimes. Scotland, they believe,
  is very fearful and they are scared for their
  country.
• Malcolm is at the court of Edward, the King of
  England. Macduff is going to join him.
• Macduff, Malcolm, and Edward are planning to join
  forces and attack Macbeth, freeing Scotland from
  his reign.

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FIN