Act III, scenes 2-6

In this Act, we begin to see circumstances turn against Macbeth. The fourth scene of this Act is considered to be the turning point in the play.

In scene two, Macbeth reveals his plans to kill Banquo. He fears Banquo and he plans his murder without letting Lady M know any of the details. He tells her to "be innocent of the knowledge" so that she can simply applaud his work once it is completed. Lady Macbeth feels that they have lost everything and gained nothing. They are not happy with the outcome of their plans thus far, as they are in such a place of fear and nervousness because of the evil they committed. Lady Macbeth tells Macbeth though, that he must look happy for the guests at the banquet that evening. Macbeth agrees. The scene ends with him anticipating eveing so that the deed can be done. He says that there is more evil to come.

In scene three, three murderers attack Fleance and Banquo. Banquo is killed and dies telling his son to flee and have revenge for him. So, he will not see whether his son ever becomes King.

In scene four, their is a banquet with Macbeth and his lords. This scene shows his defeats; he discovers that Fleance has escaped and then each time he says Banquo's name, a ghost of Banquo appears. He is also seen as weakened and crazy in front of his guests. Lady Macbeth tells the lords that Macbeth has had fits since he was a child, so the lords should just ignore his behaviour. But, since he continues to see the ghost and begins to yell at it, the lords eventually leave the feast. Lady Macbeth tells him to get a grip on himself, as he is imagining the stuff of old wives tales, and there is no ghost there. Macbeth can't believe she can act so normal, and speaks of blood, saying he fears he also will be killed. He concludes the scene by deciding to go and see the witches again, to have answers to his questions.

Scene five is the Hecate scene, which may not have been written by Shakespeare. The queen of the witches is angry with the three sisters for not having included her in their meeting with Macbeth. She tells that that Macbeth is just using them for his own gain. They decide to go and see Macbeth the next day before noon, where they will fill him with a false sense of security and confidence in order to bring about his fall.

Scene six presents to us a Lord and Lennox, speaking sarcastically about all that has happened. They believe that Macbeth is responsible for the deaths of Banquo and Duncan, and that were Duncan's sons and Fleance here, they too would be dead. They speak of Macduff's plan to go and see Malcolm and to round up Northumberland and Siward to attack Macbeth and end his tyranical rein.