Macbeth
by William Shakespeare
Table of Contents
Act 3: Scene 4 to 6
Act 3, Scene 4
The scene opens at a feast. Macbeth, Lady Macbeth, and their court come toward the table. The first murderer appears to tell Macbeth that they have murdered Banquo but not Fleance. Of course, the failure to murder Fleance angers Macbeth. He returns to sit at his feast, but the ghost of Banquo has stolen his chair. Apparently, Macbeth is the only dinner guest who can see the ghost. Macbeth speaks to Banquo’s ghost. Lady Macbeth scrambles to decipher Macbeth’s behavior to the only guests; she tells them that her husband often has “visions” and that it is best for the guests to ignore him. The ghost departs, and Lady Macbeth convinces Macbeth to change his behavior. However, Banquo’s ghost reappears, and Macbeth continues to converse with the ghost. Lady Macbeth has no choice but to send the guests away from the banquet room.
Macbeth confesses to Lady Macbeth that he heard from a servant that Macduff wants no part of Macbeth’s court. Macbeth believes that this behavior may lead to treason. Macbeth intends to visit the witches the next day to see if he can discern what the future holds. He declares to Lady Macbeth that he will do whatever he must do to keep his kingship.
Act 3, Scene 5
The witches converse with Hecate, the goddess of witches and witchcraft. She chastises them for their interactions with Macbeth, but she decides that she must now take over as the leader of the project. They know that Macbeth will visit the next day, and they vow to lull him into believing that he is safe.
Act 3, Scene 6
Lennox considers what has happened as he walks along some property with another lord. They blame Banquo’s murder on Fleance because, like Duncan’s sons, he has fled. However, the men also have suspicions about Macbeth in both murders. Macduff has traveled to England, where he and Malcolm will try to convince King Edward of England to aid them against Macbeth. On the other side, Macbeth...
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