Grade 8

Name: ………………………………………

Macbeth Act 3
(Scenes 3 &4)

Scene 3
Summary
It is dusk, and the two murderers, now joined by a third, linger in a wooded park outside the
palace. Banquo and Fleance approach on their horses and dismount. They light a torch, and the
murderers set upon them. The murderers kill Banquo, who dies urging his son to flee and to
avenge his death. One of the murderers extinguishes the torch, and in the darkness Fleance
escapes. The murderers leave with Banquo’s body to find Macbeth and tell him what has
happened.

Scene 4
Summary
Onstage stands a table heaped with a feast. Macbeth and Lady Macbeth enter as king and
queen, followed by their court, whom they bid welcome. As Macbeth walks among the
company, the first murderer appears at the doorway. Macbeth speaks to him for a moment,
learning that Banquo is dead and that Fleance has escaped. The news of Fleance’s escape
angers Macbeth—if only Fleance had died, he muses, his throne would have been secure.
Instead, “the worm that’s fled / Hath nature that in time will venom breed” (3.4.28–29).
Returning to his guests, Macbeth goes to sit at the head of the royal table but finds Banquo’s
ghost sitting in his chair. Horror-struck, Macbeth speaks to the ghost, which is invisible to the
rest of the company. Lady Macbeth makes excuses for her husband, saying that he occasionally
has such “visions” and that the guests should simply ignore his behavior. Then she speaks to
Macbeth, questioning his manhood and urging him to snap out of his trance. The ghost
disappears, and Macbeth recovers, telling his company: “I have a strange infirmity which is
nothing / To those that know me” (3.4.85–86). As he offers a toast to company, however,
Banquo’s specter reappears and shocks Macbeth into further reckless outbursts. Continuing to
make excuses for her husband, Lady Macbeth sends the alarmed guests out of the room as the
ghost vanishes again.
Macbeth mutters that “blood will have blood” and tells Lady Macbeth that he has heard from a
servant-spy that Macduff intends to keep away from court, behavior that verges on treason
(3.4.121). He says that he will visit the witches again tomorrow in the hopes of learning more
about the future and about who may be plotting against him. He resolves to do whatever is
necessary to keep his throne, declaring: “I am in blood / Stepped in so far that, should I wade no

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more, / Returning were as tedious as go o’er” (3.4.135–137). Lady Macbeth says that he needs
sleep, and they retire to their bed.

Important questions:
1- What is a theme in Macbeth Act 3 Scene 3?
The theme of Macbeth Act 3, Scene 3 is revenge. Banquo asks his son to take revenge for his
murder. This is a theme that continues throughout the play as both Macduff and King Duncan's
sons will also seek revenge against Macbeth.
2- Who dies in Act 3 Scene 3 Macbeth?
Lord Banquo dies in Act 3, Scene 3. Macbeth hired assassins to kill him and his son, but they fail
to kill the nobleman's son.
3- What is the significance of Act 3 Scene 3?
The significance in Act 3, Scene 3 comes in Banquo's son, Fleance escaping the assassination
attempt. At the beginning of the play, the witches prophesize that one of Banquo's descendants
will one day sit on the throne of Scotland. Macbeth has now failed to prevent this.
4- What is the setting of Act 3 Scene 4 in Macbeth?
The setting of Act 3, Scene 4 of Macbeth is the banquet hall in the palace. Macbeth has invited
many Scottish aristocrats to dine with Lady Macbeth and himself.
5- What happens in Act 3 Scene 4 in Macbeth?
Various Scottish aristocrats arrive for a banquet at the palace; Macbeth and Lady Macbeth
welcome them. One of the murderers confirms to Macbeth that Banquo is dead, but that
Fleance escaped. Macbeth then sees the ghost of Banquo sitting in his chair. He shouts at the
ghost. Lady Macbeth tries to reassure their guests and chides her husband. He joins the
banquet and apologizes to their guests. However, the ghost reappears and Macbeth shouts at it
again. Lady Macbeth dismisses their guests. Once everyone else is gone, Macbeth reflects on
the crimes he has committed and Lady Macbeth suggests he needs to sleep.
6- What does Act 3 Scene 4 say about Macbeth's character?
While Macbeth has committed many acts of horrific violence at this point in the play, he is not
immune to feelings of guilt or fear. In fact, in this scene, his guilt and fear manifest in the form of
Banquo's ghost.

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7- What does Lady Macbeth say to Macbeth in Act 3 Scene 4?

Famous Quotes:

1- Then comes my fit again: I had else been perfect,/Whole as the marble, round as the rock,/As broad
and general as the casing air:/But now I am cabin'd, cribb'd, confined, bound in/To saucy doubts and
fears."

 This is Macbeth's response when he finds out that Banquo's son Fleance escaped from
the assassins that killed Banquo. Macbeth wanted both Banquo and Fleance dead
because the witches prophesied that Banquo's descendants would be kings. Macbeth,
now the king, prefers that his own descendants become kings. He tries to avert the
prophesy by having Banquo and Fleance killed, reasoning that Banquo's descendants
cannot become kings if Banquo has no descendants. However, Fleance escapes, and
Macbeth is denied the peace of mind that he claims Fleance's death would have
afforded him. As long as Fleance is alive, the witches' prophesy can still come true.
"Thou canst not say I did it: never shake/Thy gory locks at me." (Macbeth)
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Quick Test:
1- What does the porter say that drinking causes?

 Heart disease, liver disease, and kidney problems

 A red nose, sleep, urination, and impotence

 Snoring, bad breath, and constipation

 A lot of knocking on the door

2- Who kills the servants who look guilty of the murder?

 Macduff and Lennox

 Lady Macbeth

 Macbeth

 Banquo

3- How does Lady Macbeth publicly react to the news of the murder?

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 She begins to wail uncontrollably.

 She says it is horrible and pretends to faint.

 She laughs gleefully and rubs her hands.

 She beats her chest and exclaims that she bears responsibility since it happened in her home.

4- Why do Malcom and Donalbain run away from the court?

 They too were plotting Duncan’s murder and are spooked that someone else got to him first.

 They are guilty and afraid of being caught.

 They know Macbeth did it and are scared.

 They fear that they are next to be murdered.

5- Why is Macbeth named king instead of Duncan’s son and heir, Malcom?

 Because Malcom’s flight makes him look guilty

 Because Duncan renounced Malcom and named Macbeth his heir

 Because Macbeth and Malcom are actually the same person

 Because Malcom makes a deal with Macbeth to forfeit the throne in exchange for not being
murdered