The Renaissance Period {1485-1660​}

Act III, scene i: Banquo reveals that he suspects Macbeth in Duncan’s murder, but Macbeth invites him over for a banquet anyway (he wants things to seem normal). Macbeth then hires men to kill Banquo and his son, Fleance. Macbeth is jealous that Banquo’s sons will be king and does not want this to happen.

Act III, scene ii: Lady Macbeth questions Macbeth about being a man. Macbeth is obviously upset about the murders, but Lady Macbeth wants him to get over it. Macbeth admits that he fears Banquo and his children.

Act III, scene iii: Banquo is killed by the murderers, but Fleance gets away because their light went out.

Act III, scene iv: Macbeth finds out that Fleance was not killed. Lady Macbeth then urges Macbeth to join the banquet, but he envisions Banquo’s ghost and starts talking to it. The other guests think he is loosing it, but Lady Macbeth tells the guests that Macbeth is ill and then dismisses them. She is afraid what Macbeth will reveal. Macbeth then says he will talk with Macduff and the witches.

Act III, scene v: Hecate criticizes the other witches for not including her in their first visit with Macbeth. She says she wants a part in his ruin. Special Note: Because this play was published seven years after Shakespeare’s death, it is thought that this scene was later added by someone to add length to the play.

Act III, scene vi: Lennox tells an unnamed Lord that he is suspicious of Macbeth. He also reveals that people think Fleance killed Banquo because he ran away. He thinks it is a little too coincidental that Duncan’s sons are thought to have killed their father and now Fleance is thought to have killed his father. Meanwhile, Macduff has gone to King Edward and Lord Siward to remove Macbeth from power and restore the Scottish crown to Malcolm.