Act 3 Scene 4

• What happens in Act 3 Scene 4 in Macbeth?

  Macbeth hosts a banquet and sees the ghost of Banquo. He is informed by one of the murders he has hired that Banquo is dead, but Fleance has escaped. Macbeth is disturbed by the ghost and only he can see it. He realises his plan to secure the throne had failed, since Fleance is still alive and may fulfil the witches prophecy of being king.
• What does it mean when the stage direction in the beginning of Act 3 Scene 4 says, 'Enter the ghost of Banquo, and sits in Macbeth's place'?

  Banquo wants Macbeth to feel guilty. This stage direction makes the reader wonder if Banquo should've been king and it makes the reader question if it's not Macbeths place to be king.
• What does it mean when Macbeth says, 'Never shake thy glory locks at me'?

  1. Macbeth didn't actually kill Banquo.
  2. Macbeth didn't realise the true violence.
  3. 'gory' Macbeth isn't used to blood which is a contrast to the start.
• what does it mean when LM says, 'sit, worthy friends'?

  LM is taking control; however, her power is dependent on M so she can't take any risks.
• What does it mean when M says, 'Thy bones are marrowless'?

  Macbeth is hallucinating again because of how consumptive his guilt is. Macbeth views B as powerless.
• What does it mean when M says, 'It will have blood, they say; blood will have blood'?

  This displays Macbeths remorse and paranoia. These are the consequences for Macbeths actions and now Macbeth fears death.
• What does it mean when M says, 'I am in blood stepped in so far that, should I wade no more; Returning were as tedious as go o'er'?

  'blood' shows M still won't say murder. Macbeth is now committing himself to evil and there is no return now.