Act 3

• Key words to describe Macbeth in act 3

  Peripetia, Overzealous, Tumultuous fortune, Flustering, Manifestations of his guilt, Extrapolated evil, Fragmented mind, Conscience plagued with guilt.
• Banquo's ghost

  The banquet scene is Macbeth's opportunity to gain respect as King, both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are overzealous in their welcoming of their guests. "Welcome" is repeated by both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth, which gives the impression of flustering - their guilt is threatening their composure.
• Banquo's ghost 2

  Structurally, it is important to note that the murderers enter before Macbeth can sit down with his guest. Ironically, his past actions interrupt his ability to assimilate with his peers and noblemen as king. This reinforces that his kingship is unnatural and disrupts the divine right of kings.
• Banquo's ghost 3

  Shakespeare employs dramatic irony by seating Banquo in Macbeth's place - his fear is now twofold, extending from both the presence of a ghost and the suggestion that his position as king is under threat. The bloody apparition of Banquo is a physical manifestation of Macbeth's guilt - it makes it tangible but also serves to expose him to his guests and break his composure - it is the beginning of his downfall as guilt obtains power over him.
• Banquo's murder

  The murder of Duncan was a moment of peripeteia for Macbeth, yet this is not confirmed until the murder of Banquo ensues. Duncan's death causes a series of unexpected events to play out largely beyond Macbeth's control - his fate has been taken out of his hands and though he relentlessly attempts to regain power over his fortune, he fails.
• Banquo's murder 2

  Macbeth becomes overzealous in his indulgence in murder - he sends a third murderer out of paranoia and a lack of trust. Moreover, this reiterates his hamartia of ambition, linking to act 1 and the description of Macbeth in battle - "As cannons over charg'd with double cracks; So they doubly redoubled strokes upon the foe". The repetition of 'double' here shows him acting in excess and not having restraint of boundaries in battle - Shakespeare portrays him with an aggression that cannot be quelled.
• Banquo's murder 3

  Upon learning that Fleance escaped murder, Macbeth acknowledges his tumultuous fortune - "in time will venom breed/ No teeth for th' present", yet his hubris blinds him into a false sense of security suggesting that danger is not yet imminent. He seems to believe that he can formulate a scheme to supersede his dangerous fortune as he plans to meet the murderers again - "tomorrow we'll hear ourselves again".
• Banquo's murder 4

  Banquo's ghost serves as a symbol to expose Macbeth's failure to manipulate fate, as despite believing that Banquo is 'safe' (murdered successfully), he immediately comes to haunt him. Macbeth is denied any semblance of safety.
• Comparison

  Formerly, it was Lady Macbeth's corrupt ambitions that mobilised the couple into evil, however it now seems that the driving force is Macbeth. In contrast, Lady Macbeth radiates a subdued, defeatist attitude. She becomes increasingly less vocal throughout the act, perhaps suggesting she is collapsing under the pressure of upholding a false facade. This juxtaposes her previous domineering role, and a lexis punctuated by imperatives and defamatory phrases toward Macbeth.
• Lady Macbeth and Macbeth role reversal

  It appears the power dynamic between the Macbeths begins shifting in this act - Macbeth begins echoing the former sentiments of Lady Macbeth suggesting he has extrapolated her evil. He claims they must "make our faces vizards to our hearts", which is reminiscent of "look like the innocent flower, but be the serpent under 't". This characterises Macbeth as a marionette of evil influence - he echoes both the witches in their lexis and his wife.
• Lady Macbeth and Macbeth role reversal 2

  Although Macbeth is growing to be bloodthirsty and tyrannical, it appears he is fragile and malleable as a character - he fails to demonstrate any qualities of a respectable king to epitomise the truth that he is disrupting the natural order. This extends the idea of appearance vs reality as "vizards" suggests they should wear masks to conceal their true evil nature.
• Lady Macbeth and Macbeth role reversal 3

  He tells his wife "I am in blood Stepp'd in so far that should I wade no more, returning were as tedious". Previously, the "blood" (motif for guilt and consequences of murder) was merely on his hands, yet now it has enrobed his entire body, and by extension, his entire sense of being. He admits that he cannot return to a position of virtue or innocence, so it is easier for him to continue on a murderous path.
• Lady Macbeth and Macbeth role reversal 4


  Macbeth's response to fear and guilt has transitioned from being horrified to indulging further in heinous acts - murder now becomes his means of self preservation. She discourages Macbeth from murdering 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." It is ironic that Macbeth now overpowers Lady Macbeth, through feminine epithets which belittle her, much as she previously did to him.
• Lady Macbeth and Macbeth role reversal 5

  In response to hearing Macbeth's bloodthirsty plans, she claims "you lack the season of all natures, sleep". It seems she is now trying to moderate and quell his evil. She is comparatively passive, and is preoccupied with the noun 'sleep' (a motif for peace and innocence.) It appears she is yearning to reverse the murderous chaos as she realises her role as queen is not what she expected.
• Summary of Banquo murder and ghost

  Banquo's murder allows Macbeth's peripetia to come to fruition - it initiates a series of unexpected events which happen largely out of Macbeth's control. Shakespeare dramatizes Macbeth's inability to control and manipulate fate as an illegitimate king.

  Banquo's ghost is a physical manifestation of Macbeth's guilt - he makes the threat to both Macbeth's position as king and his mental state tangible. He serves as a tool to begin to expose Macbeth's facade as deceptive and disrupts his composure and reputation.
• Summary of role reversal

  Act 3 dramatizes a shift in the power dynamic between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. Macbeth now extrapolates the evil she demonstrated in act 1, and it is Lady Macbeth who attempts to subdue him - Macbeth has become autonomous with evil, and no longer requires the influence of others.