Act III

Scene i

Banquo ponders the prophecies and expresses suspicion about Macbeth's recent good fortune. Macbeth learns that Banquo and his son Fleance intend to go riding and return for the coronation feast. Considering the prophecy regarding Banquo's royal descendants, Macbeth uses this opportunity to hire two murderers to kill Banquo and his son away from the castle.

Banquo's soliloquy adds to Macduff's misgivings about Macbeth which were raised in the previous act. Shakespeare uses more dramatic irony in combining Banquo's growing doubt about Macbeth and Macbeth's employment of the murderers in the same scene. Also evident is Macbeth's deepening insecurity and his willingness to challenge fate now that he has achieved all that fate had set out for him.

Scene ii

Lady Macbeth notes to herself that all that they have gained is not worth anything until it is secure. Macbeth reiterates this sentiment when they converse. Lady Macbeth tells Macbeth he is too morose and must show a happy face to the people. Macbeth admits that Banquo and Fleance's continued existence worries him, but does not reveal to his wife that he has hired murderers to kill them.

The audience sees that Macbeth's insecurity has influenced Lady Macbeth. By admitting her doubts, she shows less strength than in previous scenes but still recognises the facade they need to maintain. Macbeth is reluctant to tell his wife about the murderers, which the audience can interpret in a couple of ways: he may be trying to prevent Lady Macbeth from interfering by taking control, or he may consider that he is saving her from further guilt by not involving her in this murder plot.

Scene iii

A third murderer joins the two hired by Macbeth. The three attack Banquo and Fleance; Banquo dies but Fleance escapes.

The addition of the third murderer confirms Macbeth's increasing paranoia. Ironically, having the third person there causes confusion, letting Fleance escape.

Scene iv

The setting is Macbeth's coronation banquet. The murderers return to the castle and Macbeth meets with them to learn the results of their mission. He expresses disdain at the news of Fleance's escape. Lady Macbeth chides him for lacking hospitality so Macbeth returns to the banquet, only to see Banquo's ghost sitting at his place. He panics and Lady Macbeth tries to cover for him by assuring their guests that Macbeth has had fits like this since he was a child. She questions his mettle (strength) and tells him he's imagining the ghost, as he imagined the dagger. They dismiss the guests. Macbeth finds it suspicious that Macduff has not come to the banquet and resolves to install a spy in Macduff's household. He confesses that he wishes to speak to the witches again.

Banquo's ghost is not visible to anyone at the banquet except Macbeth, so like the dagger, the appearance of the ghost remains open to interpretation. If there is an actual ghost, then the audience understands that the apparition is a supernatural reminder of Macbeth's recent murder. If there is no ghost apparent to the audience, it is further evidence of Macbeth's guilt manifesting itself in insanity. It is possible to interpret the dagger as real or imaginary and the ghost as real or imaginary in any combination, implying different things about Macbeth and the themes in the play.

Macbeth recovers from the shock of the ghost's visit enough to notice Macduff's absence, marking Macduff as a threat. His intent to revisit the witches signifies his appeal to supernatural powers, which he hopes will resolve his doubts. Compare this with Banquo's earlier conversation with Fleance where he appeals to angels, not the witches.

Scene v

The witches meet with Hecate, goddess of sorcery. She is angry that they interfered with Macbeth without including her in the mischief.

Designed to show the extent of evil at play, this scene releases narrative tension by confirming malevolent (evil) supernatural intervention, which is why some scholars have questioned whether it is Shakespeare's work. Parts of this scene, particularly the song and dance, may have been inserted by Thomas Middleton, who wrote The Witch.

Scene vi

Lennox converses with another Lord and notes the pattern of sons fleeing after their fathers die, which has worked out nicely for Macbeth. The Lord calls Macbeth a tyrant and informs Lennox that Malcolm and Macduff have gone to England to meet with King Edward and the Earl of Northumberland in order to raise an army.

It is now evident that others regard Macbeth's recent promotion as suspicious. The fact that Malcolm and Macduff have been well received by the English court indicates that they are likely to be able to raise an army against Macbeth.