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Act Three

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Scene One:At Macbeth's court, Banquo voices his suspicions that Macbeth has killed Duncan in order to fulfill the witches' prophesies. He muses that perhaps this means that the witches' vision for his future will come true as well, then pushes this thought from his mind. Macbeth and Lady Macbeth enter to the sound trumpets, along with Lennox and Ross. Macbeth announces that he will hold a banquet that evening, and that Banquo will be the chief guest. Banquo states that he must ride this afternoon, but he will be back in time for supper. Macbeth tells him that Malcolm and Donalbain will not confess to killing their father, and asks if Fleance will accompany Banquo on his trip (he will), then wishes Banquo a safe ride.
Left alone, Macbeth summons the two murderers he has hired. While he waits for them, he gives voice to his greatest worry of the moment that the witches' prophesy for Banquo will come true, and that Banquo's children will inherit the throne instead of his own. He will put an end to that thought by killing Banquo and Fleance. The murderers enter. These men are not "murderers" by trade but poor men who are willing to do anything to make some money. Macbeth has evidently sent them letters stating that although they think Macbeth is the cause of their present poverty, the real cause is Banquo, and that he will reward them richly if they would kill Banquo for him. The Murderers respond that they are so "weary with disasters [and] tugged with fortune" that they are "reckless what / [they] do to spite the world." Macbeth tells them that Banquo is his own enemy as well as theirs, but that loyal friends of Banquo's prevent him from killing him himself. Macbeth tells them the particulars of the murder: they must attack him as he is coming back from his ride, at a distance from the palace in order to avert suspicion. They must also kill Fleance, and perform these murders at exactly the right time.
Scene Two:Alone, Lady Macbeth expresses her unhappiness: there seems to be no end to her desire for power, and she feels unsafe and doubtful. Macbeth enters, looking upset, and she again counsels him not to spend his time alone worrying about what they have done. Macbeth states that their job is not done, and that he spends every waking moment in fear and each night embroiled in nightmares. He says that he envies Duncan, who sleeps peacefully in his grave. Lady Macbeth warns him to act cheerful in front of their dinner guests, and Macbeth says that he will, and asks her to pay special attention to Banquo tonight, both in speech and looks. Lady Macbeth tries to comfort him by reminding him that although Banquo and Fleance live, they are not immortal, and he should not fear them. Macbeth responds elusively, telling her that "a deed of dreadful note" will be done tonight; he will not tell her more.
Scene Three:The two murderers are joined by a third, who says that he has also been hired by Macbeth. Horses are heard approaching, and Banquo and Fleance enter. The murderers attack Banquo, but Fleance flees. The murderers leave to report back to Macbeth.
Scene Four:At the banquet, Macbeth is just welcoming his guests when one of the murderers comes to the door. He informs Macbeth that Banquo is dead but Fleance has escaped. Shaken, Macbeth thanks him for what he has done and arranges another meeting the next day. The murderer leaves and Macbeth returns to the feast. Standing next to the table, he announces that the banquet would be perfect if only Banquo were there. At this point, unseen by any, Banquo's ghost appears and sits in Macbeth's seat. The guests urge Macbeth to sit and eat with them, but Macbeth says that the table is full. When Lennox points to Macbeth's empty seat, Macbeth is shocked to see Banquo sitting there. He addresses the ghost, saying, "Thou canst not say I did it. Never shake / Thy gory locks at me." The guests, confused by his behavior, think that he is ill, but Lady Macbeth reassures them, saying that he has had "fits" like this since youth, and that he will soon be well. She draws Macbeth aside and tries to talk some sense into him, telling him that this is just a hallucination brought on by his guilt, like the dagger he saw before he killed Duncan. Ignoring her, Macbeth charges the ghost to speak, and it disappears. Disgusted, Lady Macbeth scolds him for being "unmanned in folly." Turning back to his guests, Macbeth tells them that he has "a strange infirmity" that they should ignore.
Just as the party begins again and Macbeth is offering a toast to Banquo, the ghost reappears, and Macbeth again yells at it. Lady Macbeth again tries to smooth things over with the guests. The ghost exits again and Lady Macbeth scolds Macbeth him. This time Macbeth responds in kind, telling her that he is shocked that she can look on sights such as this and not be afraid. Ross asks what sights Macbeth means, and Lady Macbeth tells the guests that they should leave, because Macbeth's "illness" is getting worse.
The guests leave, and Macbeth, frightened, says that he takes this appearance as an omen. He decides that he will go back to the Weird Sisters the next day and ask to hear more.
Scene Five:On the heath, the witches meet Hecate, queen of witches, who chastises them for meddling in Macbeth's affairs without involving her or showing him any fancy magic spectacles. She tells them that Macbeth will visit them tomorrow, and that they must put on a more dramatic show for him.
Scene Six:Lennox and another lord discuss politics. Lennox comments sarcastically on the recent deaths of Duncan and Banquo, saying that it seems almost impossible for Malcolm and Donalbain to be inhuman enough to kill their father, and that Macbeth's slaying of the bodyguards was pretty convenient, since they would probably have denied killing Duncan. Lennox proposes that if Malcolm, Donalbain, and Fleance were in Macbeth's prison, they would probably be dead now too. He also reveals that since Macduff did not attend Macbeth's feast, he has been denounced. The lord with whom Lennox speaks comments that Macduff has joined Malcolm at the English court, and that the two of them have asked Siward to lead an army against Macbeth. Lennox and the lord send their prayers to Macduff and Malcolm.
Well, this is a long summary of Act 3, do you not agree? Seems like reading the play itself would be more quick and more worthwhile. But, if you really feel better about using more of these summaries, click one of the links below. Hmm, but you would never survive in Stender's class if you resort to summaries.
Home Sweet Home
Brief Summary
Act One
Act Two
Act Four
Act Five
Macbeth