macbeth act 3

• banquos murder topic sentence 


  Whilst the murder of Duncan was a moment of perpetual for Macbeth, this is not confirmed until the murder of Banquo ensues. Duncan’s death causes a series of unexpected events to play out beyond Macbeth’s control. His fate had been compromised by relentless pursuit of illegitimate power. Becomes overzealous in indulgence of murder and sends a hired murderer out of paranoia.
• banquos murder - link to act 1

  • Reinforces hamartia — linking to Act 1 when “as cannons over-charged with double crack” / “so they doubly redoubled strokes upon the foe”.
  • Repetition of double shows acting without restraint / boundaries in battle.
  • Aggression which cannot be quelled.
• banquos murder - fleance escaped 


  • Upon learning Fleance escaped he acknowledges his tumultuous fortune, yet his hubris blinds him to a false sense of security, suggesting danger is not imminent.
  • Believes he can formulate a scheme to supersede his dangerous fortune.
  • The Banquet scene is his chance to regain regal respect.
  • Lady Macbeth and Macbeth are overzealous in welcoming guests.
• banquos ghost - “welcome“

  • “Welcome” is repeated — flustering — guilt is compromising composure.
  • Murderer enters before Macbeth can sit with guests — past actions interrupt ability to assimilate with peers and noblemen as King.
  • Kingship is unnatural and ephemeral.
  • Employs dramatic irony by seating Banquo in Macbeth’s seat — his fear is now twofold, extending from both presence of a ghost and the suggestion his position is under threat.
  • Bloody apparition of Banquo is a physical manifestation of guilt, making him tangible but exposing his lack of composure to guests.
  • Guilt obtains power.
• role reversal topic sentence

  Power dynamic begins shifting, Macbeth begins echoing former sentiments of Lady M, suggesting he has extrapolated her evil
• role reversal - “make our faces visards”

  • Claims they must “make our faces vizards to our hearts” — reminiscence of “look like th’innocent flower”.
  • Characterises Macbeth as a marionette of evil influence; echoes both Witches’ lexix and his wife.
  • Although he is growing to be bloody, thirsty and tyrannical, he is fragile and malleable
  • fails to demonstrate noble qualities to epitomise the truth he is disrupting the natural order
  • Appearance vs reality — “vizards” — should wear masks to conceal true evil nature.
• role reversal - “i am in blood”


  • previously blood was merely on his hands yet now it is enrobed his entire body, and by extension his entire sense of being
  • admits he cannot return to virtue of innocence and it’s easier to be heinous
  • response to fear and guilt has transitioned from being horrified to indulging further in heinous acts
  • murder is now means of preservation
• role reversal - “you must leave this”


  • lady macbeth discourages murder of banquo saying “you must leave this”
  • yet he is trapped within the momentum of evil and dismisses her
  • ”be innocent of the knowledge dearest chuck”
  • ironic macbeth overpowered lady macbeth through feminine epithets which belittle her
  • reflective of previous emasculation