The Tragedy of Macbeth, Act 3
Author: William Shakespeare
“Folger Digital Texts.” Edited by Rebecca Niles and Michael Poston, Folger Digital Texts, 1606, www.folgerdigitaltexts.org/?chapter=5&play=Mac&loc=p7.
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ACT 3
Scene 1
Enter Banquo.
BANQUO
Thou hast it now—king, Cawdor, Glamis, all
As the Weïrd Women promised, and I fear
Thou played’st most foully for ’t.
Yet it was said
It should not stand in thy posterity,
But that myself should be the root and father
Of many kings.
If there come truth from them
(As upon thee, Macbeth, their speeches shine)
Why, by the verities on thee made good,
May they not be my oracles as well,
And set me up in hope?
But hush, no more.
Banquo is talking about how the witches told hm that he would be father to kings. And when he first started talking he was talking about Macbeth’s prophecies and how how they have come true. They have com true because he is now Thane of Cawdor and king.
MacBeth hires the two murderers to kill Banquo. Fleance escapes and then helps in the defeat of MacBeth. So the witches prophecy wasn’t fulfilled because MacBeth ruined it.
Banquo suspects that Macbeth is the killer. Banquo is saying how about if Macbeth listened to the witches.
Lady Macbeth really keeps a cool head. She appears calm, but you can tell by her words that she is angry inside. She also attacks Macbeth with her lack of manhood taunting.
banquo references the witches prophesies lot when talking to Macbeth about how he unjustly wanted to make the prophesies true by killing Duncan
he fears about what the three witches had promised since their other theories came true such as king, cawdor and glamis
yes he calls the three witches the three weird sisters
he thinks the witches are correct and he fears death and fears his children not becoming kings however he still believes he can change the witches prophesies
i think he means the witches because he thought they were weird at first
This is the part where he wonders if Macbeth listened to the witches. If the witches were corrected now he scared.
While reading this comment i noticed that everything the witches said was happening and banquo seemed afraid of that by the way he was saying it ,it’s very strange how banquo said “promised” as if it was something that was for sure gonna happen and looking back at how they thought about the witches was odd that he did believe them that quickly and it’s odd how he’s afraid of it happening
At first he had been suspicious about what they had told him because they believed that they were lying but afterwards when one of the things had became true he started taking it a bit more seriously
based on what this says maybe Banquo is already thinking that Macbeth is going to do something bad and make sure what the witches said would come true no matter the cost
yeehaw
yeehaw
however, banquo feels as if Macbeth was able to rise to power unlawfully- especially referring to his suspicions about Macbeth possibly being the king’s murderer.
Banquo is talking about how the witches told hm that he would be father to kings. And when he first started talking he was talking about Macbeth’s prophecies and how how they have come true. They have com true because he is now Thane of Cawdor and king.
yeehaw
yeehaw
Macbeth is aware that all of the prophesies became reality- but he hopes for a future he can alter, concerning the way that Fleance could be eliminated along with his father, Banquo.
Banquo believes that maybe the prophesy might not happen as Macbeth has the throne but he is yet to receive anything. He also suspects that Macbeth has forced his way to the throne when he says " I fear
Thou played’st most foully for ’t".
i agree with you because its funny how Macbeth doesn’t have any sympathy toward his reign or about duncan anymore
Sennet sounded.
Enter Macbeth as King, Lady
Macbeth, Lennox, Ross, Lords, and Attendants.
MACBETH
Here’s our chief guest.
LADY MACBETH If he had been forgotten,
It had been as a gap in our great feast
And all-thing unbecoming.
MACBETH
Tonight we hold a solemn supper, sir,
And I’ll request your presence.
BANQUO Let your Highness
Command upon me, to the which my duties
Are with a most indissoluble tie
Forever knit.
MACBETH Ride you this afternoon?
BANQUO Ay, my good lord.
MACBETH
We should have else desired your good advice
(Which still hath been both grave and prosperous)
In this day’s council, but we’ll take tomorrow.
Is ’t far you ride?
BANQUO
As far, my lord, as will fill up the time
’Twixt this and supper.
Go not my horse the better,
I must become a borrower of the night
For a dark hour or twain.
MACBETH Fail not our feast.
BANQUO My lord, I will not.
MACBETH
We hear our bloody cousins are bestowed
In England and in Ireland, not confessing
Their cruel parricide, filling their hearers
With strange invention.
But of that tomorrow,
When therewithal we shall have cause of state
Craving us jointly.
Hie you to horse.
Adieu,
Till you return at night.
Goes Fleance with you?
BANQUO
Ay, my good lord.
Our time does call upon ’s.
MACBETH
I wish your horses swift and sure of foot,
And so I do commend you to their backs.
Farewell.Banquo exits.
Let every man be master of his time
Till seven at night.
To make society
The sweeter welcome, we will keep ourself
Till suppertime alone.
While then, God be with you.
Lords and all but Macbeth and a Servant exit.
Sirrah, a word with you.
Attend those men
Our pleasure?
SERVANT
They are, my lord, without the palace gate.
MACBETH
Bring them before us.Servant exits.
To be thus is nothing,
But to be safely thus.
Our fears in Banquo
Stick deep, and in his royalty of nature
Reigns that which would be feared.
’Tis much he
dares,
And to that dauntless temper of his mind
He hath a wisdom that doth guide his valor
To act in safety.
There is none but he
Whose being I do fear; and under him
My genius is rebuked, as it is said
Mark Antony’s was by Caesar.
He chid the sisters
When first they put the name of king upon me
And bade them speak to him.
Then, prophet-like,
They hailed him father to a line of kings.
Upon my head they placed a fruitless crown
And put a barren scepter in my grip,
Thence to be wrenched with an unlineal hand,
No son of mine succeeding.
If ’t be so,
For Banquo’s issue have I filed my mind;
For them the gracious Duncan have I murdered,
Put rancors in the vessel of my peace
Only for them, and mine eternal jewel
Given to the common enemy of man
To make them kings, the seeds of Banquo kings.
Rather than so, come fate into the list,
And champion me to th’ utterance.—Who’s there?
yeehaw
Since they had a dinner party when the king died, isn’t anyone suspicious of the Macbeth’s being responsible for the murders?
Macbeth is going to invite Banquo to dinner because he’s think Macbeth didn’t. Macbeth is trying protect him self.
But why did he invite them to his banquet?
i believe he invited them to kill them so macbeths kids can take over as kings
he talks to banquo about this because macbeth wants to kill banquo thats why macbeth is sparking a convo with banquo so it doesnt look suspicious when he asks are you riding this afternoon
i feel as if this is when hes going to try to kill banqou because he said hes having supper and he requested that banquo be there
yeehaw
yeehaw
The way that Macbeth says this, knowing that Banquo and his son will dethrone him in the future; might suggest that he secretly wants to kill Banquo, in order to sustain his rule.
yeehaw
however; this could just be Banquo acting like he doesn’t suspect anything-
yeehaw
perhaps Macbeth asks this because he wants to attempt to kill Banquo when he is off-guard, horseback riding
Macbeth is being nice to Banquo to not give him any suspicions on the planned murder of him self and his child Fleance
yeehaw
This shows that Macbeth still trusts Banquo as a friend at this point, but then why is he set on killing him, other than assuring the throne? Why can’t Macbeth make a peaceful agreement with Banquo over who becomes king next?
hes asking banquo if he must ride his horse far in the nigh
yeehaw
he asks him how far he’s riding out on that particular night-perhaps he is planning to get him far from the dinner party in order to kill him without witnesses.
banquo adresses macbeth as lord, even though they’ve gone through so much
Macbeth is stating that he’s gonna carry out his plans in the dark of night. He’s using the dark to his advantage. Hence, “borrowing” the night.
I think that it is suspicious because it’s like he is insisting a bit to much.
I feel like Macbeth can sense/feel Banquos suspicion here so he is inviting him to a big feast/dinner to butter him up and try to get him to keep it to himself.
Malcom and Donalbain left because they think their life in danger
yeehaw
yeehaw
Perhaps after hearing this line from Macbeth (the person he is suspicious of being a murderer), Banquo should have been a bit more suspicious and not take Fleance with him in order to protect him (Banquo knows that the witches prophesized that his son would take the throne after Macbeth- so he should have thought about how/what Macbeth might do to Fleance if he threatens his place in power- just like the king)
I think that Macbeth is asking this because he wants to be able to murder Banquo and Fleance at the same time.
He’s gathering information but it is very subtle.
Macbeth is planning to kill Banquo and Fleance because they are getting suspicious.
while reading this it made me question why would he bring up Fleance during the conversation although they were not talking about him and it made me think if Macbeth was planning on killing Fleance and Banquo at the same time
Banquo is telling Macbeth he has to go somewhere but he will be back for the banquet and I wonder where he is going. Is he really just going on a trip or is he leaving for good to keep him and his son safe but he doesn’t want to tell Macbeth that because they are running from him.
yeehaw
This behaviour that macbeth is exhibiting can also be seen before he was about to murder the king (pretending to be innocent, and a friend of his victim- in order to avoid suspicion); further proving Macbeth’s ill-motive concerning the situation.
yeehaw
can this possibly the people that Macbeth hired to “get rid of” Banquo? why doesn’t he want to kill Banquo himself- just as he did with the king? Is Macbeth still too traumatized to kill Banquo by himself?
Macbeth is acting like he’s blaming the death of The King on the servant
i wonder who’s going to come because it’s not mentioned who is coming in
Macbeth is saying that being king means nothing if someone can stand in his way. And the person standing in his way is Banquo’s child. That is why Macbeth fears Banquo.
Macbeth doesn’t want banquos part of the prothesis to come true bc then he will take his royal place
Macbeth is scared that what the witches said will come true for Banquo as well and he seems that he doesn’t want that to happen and he’s going to do anything he can to not make that happen
when he talks about royalty of nature, i think (i could be wrong idk) he talks about how in the witches prophesies they said banquo and his children would be kings so i think hes talkking abut that and macbeth wants to kill him
i think macbeth will kill banqou because he doesnt want banquo and his kid to become royals or take his place
I semi agree with you because I believe he wants to kill banjo because the witches say his children will become kings and Macbeth wants his own children to become kings so thats why he wants to kill banquet and his kids because he thinks he can change the prophesies
yeehaw
yeehaw
It is a little odd because after the prophesies Macbeth has changed drastically and wants everything his way.
this exaggerates and shows macbeths jealousy it shows that macbeths jealous because the three witches said that banquo’s children will be kings but said nothing abou macbeths sons and he keeps tring to change that
Enter Servant and two Murderers.
To the Servant.
Now go to the door, and stay there
till we call.Servant exits.
Was it not yesterday we spoke together?
MURDERERS
It was, so please your Highness.
MACBETH Well then, now
Have you considered of my speeches?
Know
That it was he, in the times past, which held you
So under fortune, which you thought had been
Our innocent self.
This I made good to you
In our last conference, passed in probation with you
How you were borne in hand, how crossed, the
instruments,
Who wrought with them, and all things else that
might
To half a soul and to a notion crazed
Say “Thus did Banquo.”
FIRST MURDERER You made it known to us.
MACBETH
I did so, and went further, which is now
Our point of second meeting.
Do you find
Your patience so predominant in your nature
That you can let this go?
Are you so gospeled
To pray for this good man and for his issue,
Whose heavy hand hath bowed you to the grave
And beggared yours forever?
FIRST MURDERER We are men, my liege.
MACBETH
Ay, in the catalogue you go for men,
As hounds and greyhounds, mongrels, spaniels,
curs,
Shoughs, water-rugs, and demi-wolves are clept
All by the name of dogs.
The valued file
Distinguishes the swift, the slow, the subtle,
The housekeeper, the hunter, every one
According to the gift which bounteous nature
Hath in him closed; whereby he does receive
Particular addition, from the bill
That writes them all alike.
And so of men.
Now, if you have a station in the file,
Not i’ th’ worst rank of manhood, say ’t,
And I will put that business in your bosoms
Whose execution takes your enemy off,
Grapples you to the heart and love of us,
Who wear our health but sickly in his life,
Which in his death were perfect.
SECOND MURDERER I am one, my liege,
Whom the vile blows and buffets of the world
Hath so incensed that I am reckless what
I do to spite the world.
FIRST MURDERER And I another
So weary with disasters, tugged with fortune,
That I would set my life on any chance,
To mend it or be rid on ’t.
MACBETH Both of you
Know Banquo was your enemy.
Macbeth is threating the muderer by saying that it was them and he find out it was actually him he’s going to kill them. The muderers are responding by saying that they are just poor men they have nothing to do with that .
yeehaw
it is now apparent that Macbeth hired man to kill Banquo for him- which proves he was acting as innocent as possible towards Banquo before his demise (just as he did towards the king).
why is doing all this , he should just let it happen on it’s own bc it’s not worth going through all this cause soon he’s gonna regret it.
Macbeth is telling the murderers that it is Banquo who made their lives hell for so long.
yeehaw
If Macbeth had access/contact with these “murderers”, why didn’t he use them to kill Duncan- rather than killing the king himself, and becoming traumatized?
The murderers are similar to Macbeth because they want everyone to know that they are men. This is like Macbeth because Macbeth wants to show everyone especially Lady Macbeth that he is a man
yeehaw
yeehaw
The murderers that Macbeth hired seem to also be absorbed in the idea of being known as “men” something that Lady Macbeth was able to manipulate Macbeth with, in order to kill the king (just as they are about to murder Banquo).
MacBeth talks about the role of a ‘man’ or what it takes to be a ‘man’. And this reminds me of how guys irl talk about what it is to be a real man
This line really shows how the standard in Scotland at the time of Men being strong and cold-hearted effects the characters in this play. The Murders would’nt want to be perceived as not manly enough, so to them and Macbeth (at the time he was killing Duncan), justified Murder.
lots of the things Macbeth is talking to, to the 2 murderers is about dogs, banquo, fortune, and men
yeehaw
this line is somewhat repeated throughout the story- perhaps revealing many characters (such as Macbeth and the murderers’) true intent and motive.
yeehaw
This shows how much Macbeth has changed since the beginning of the story. Macbeth seems to have taken a turn for the worse once he finally killed the king- becoming less empathetic, and resorting to killing the people he’s been friends with for years; just to assure his spot on the throne. I believe after being manipulated by Lady Macbeth, Macbeth believes he must be a ruthless murderer in order to get power and happiness- something that has clouded his judgement and led him to even more senseless killing.
Banquo has been a trustworthy and honorable and responsible lord for decades and now Macbeth is claiming that he is an enemy only because he is too jealous, selfish, and cruel to be humble and accept his authority under the king.
Macbeth betrayed his friend to become king. His perspective changed once he learned of his opportunity to be king.
MURDERERS True, my lord.
MACBETH
So is he mine, and in such bloody distance
That every minute of his being thrusts
Against my near’st of life.
And though I could
With barefaced power sweep him from my sight
And bid my will avouch it, yet I must not,
For certain friends that are both his and mine,
Whose loves I may not drop, but wail his fall
Who I myself struck down.
And thence it is
That I to your assistance do make love,
Masking the business from the common eye
For sundry weighty reasons.
SECOND MURDERER We shall, my lord,
Perform what you command us.
FIRST MURDERER Though our lives—
MACBETH
Your spirits shine through you.
Within this hour at
most
I will advise you where to plant yourselves,
Acquaint you with the perfect spy o’ th’ time,
The moment on ’t, for ’t must be done tonight
And something from the palace; always thought
That I require a clearness.
And with him
(To leave no rubs nor botches in the work)
Fleance, his son, that keeps him company,
Whose absence is no less material to me
Than is his father’s, must embrace the fate
Of that dark hour.
Resolve yourselves apart.
I’ll come to you anon.
Banquo is Macbeth’s enemy because the witches told Baquo that his child would be king and that is a threat to Macbeth.
is trying to kill Banquo on his own? it makes me wonder why Macbeth can’t let things happen on it’s own then forcing it to happen.
yeehaw
yeehaw
this alludes to Macbeth’s desire to keep everything that he has done a secret- he does not want the public to know what he is truly like; reflecting back onto the issues he has had with his image and how he wants people to perceive him (he gets manipulated for just being called “not a man” by Lady Macbeth before- and is convinced that he should kill the king).
yeehaw
this shows that Macbeth is still controlling things from behind the scenes- while the others do the killing
was he already killing Banquo while saying this? what was the true meaning behind these words.
yeehaw
even though Macbeth doesn’t seem to be directly involved with the actual murdering this time- he decides to still plan out and control the bloodshed to the best of his ability (just as Lady Macbeth did previously). Does this symbolize Macbeth’s growing independence from Lady Macbeth- in regards to running the murders for him (he seems to have become accustomed to it and no longer requires her to convince him).
MURDERERS We are resolved, my lord.
MACBETH
I’ll call upon you straight.
Abide within.
Murderers exit.
It is concluded.
Banquo, thy soul’s flight,
If it find heaven, must find it out tonight.
He exits.
yeehaw
this shows how Macbeth decided to betray the only other person who helped him figure out the whitch’s prophesies, as well as just killing his own friend
Scene 2
Enter Macbeth’s Lady and a Servant.
LADY MACBETH Is Banquo gone from court?
SERVANT
Ay, madam, but returns again tonight.
LADY MACBETH
Say to the King I would attend his leisure
For a few words.
SERVANT Madam, I will.He exits.
LADY MACBETH Naught’s had, all’s spent,
Where our desire is got without content.
’Tis safer to be that which we destroy
Than by destruction dwell in doubtful joy.
Enter Macbeth.
How now, my lord, why do you keep alone,
Of sorriest fancies your companions making,
Using those thoughts which should indeed have died
With them they think on?
Things without all remedy
Should be without regard.
What’s done is done.
MACBETH
We have scorched the snake, not killed it.
She’ll close and be herself whilst our poor malice
Remains in danger of her former tooth.
But let the frame of things disjoint, both the worlds
suffer,
Ere we will eat our meal in fear, and sleep
In the affliction of these terrible dreams
That shake us nightly.
Better be with the dead,
Whom we, to gain our peace, have sent to peace,
Than on the torture of the mind to lie
In restless ecstasy.
Duncan is in his grave.
After life’s fitful fever he sleeps well.
Treason has done his worst; nor steel nor poison,
Malice domestic, foreign levy, nothing
Can touch him further.
LADY MACBETH Come on, gentle my lord,
Sleek o’er your rugged looks.
Be bright and jovial
Among your guests tonight.
MACBETH So shall I, love,
And so I pray be you.
Let your remembrance
Apply to Banquo; present him eminence
Both with eye and tongue: unsafe the while that we
Must lave our honors in these flattering streams
And make our faces vizards to our hearts,
Disguising what they are.
LADY MACBETH You must leave this.
MACBETH
O, full of scorpions is my mind, dear wife!
Thou know’st that Banquo and his Fleance lives.
LADY MACBETH
But in them nature’s copy’s not eterne.
MACBETH
There’s comfort yet; they are assailable.
Then be thou jocund.
Ere the bat hath flown
His cloistered flight, ere to black Hecate’s summons
The shard-born beetle with his drowsy hums
Hath rung night’s yawning peal, there shall be done
A deed of dreadful note.
LADY MACBETH What’s to be done?
MACBETH
Be innocent of the knowledge, dearest chuck,
Till thou applaud the deed.—Come, seeling night,
Scarf up the tender eye of pitiful day
And with thy bloody and invisible hand
Cancel and tear to pieces that great bond
Which keeps me pale.
Light thickens, and the crow
Makes wing to th’ rooky wood.
Good things of day begin to droop and drowse,
Whiles night’s black agents to their preys do
rouse.—
Thou marvel’st at my words, but hold thee still.
Things bad begun make strong themselves by ill.
So prithee go with me.
They exit.
yeehaw
yeehaw
Lady Macbeth tells Macbeth to stop thinking of the murder- even though she was the one who manipulated him into carrying it out.
They have only scorched the snake because while Macbeth has become king he is threatened by Banquo’s son. He is threatened by Banquo’s son because of the prophecies which said Banquo would be father to a king. This shows why they have not killed the snake because something still stands in the way of Macbeth to be king with nothing in his way.
To Macbeth anyone involved in the prophecy is a enemy and a snake that needs to be killed in order to prevent anything from happening.
i agree because he is going to kill banquo and his kid just for him and lady macbeth to stay as king and queen
yeehaw
yeehaw
This statement is starkly contrasting the way Macbeth behaved right after the murder was done- he no longer seems frantic, paranoid, or doubtful of anything anymore.
LM just wants Macbeth to act normal and happy during the banquet so she is not embarrassed.
yeehaw
yeehaw
Lady Macbeth’s comment is quite contradictory to her previous statements regarding the murder of people whom they knew
I think this means that his mind is full of fear and maybe some regret
Macbeth is still kind of shuck still and is mind is not well he has gone crazy.
He is keeping his plan a secret from Lady Macbeth to act tough. He is trying to show her that he doesn’t need her help and that he is a man who can do stuff on his own.
Macbeth is not telling Lady Macbeth his planned. Macbeth is not trusting Lady Macbeth.
Scene 3
Enter three Murderers.
FIRST MURDERER
But who did bid thee join with us?
THIRD MURDERER Macbeth.
SECOND MURDERER, to the First Murderer
He needs not our mistrust, since he delivers
Our offices and what we have to do
To the direction just.
FIRST MURDERER Then stand with us.—
The west yet glimmers with some streaks of day.
Now spurs the lated traveler apace
To gain the timely inn,
and near approaches
The subject of our watch.
THIRD MURDERER Hark, I hear horses.
BANQUO, within Give us a light there, ho!
SECOND MURDERER Then ’tis he.
The rest
That are within the note of expectation
Already are i’ th’ court.
FIRST MURDERER His horses go about.
THIRD MURDERER
Almost a mile; but he does usually
(So all men do) from hence to th’ palace gate
Make it their walk.
yeehaw
The murderers were able to track them down because of the sound of their horses, information that Macbeth supplied them with, more clearly showing how many ways that Macbeth betrayed Banquo- his own trsted friend.
Enter Banquo and Fleance, with a torch.
SECOND MURDERER A light, a light!
THIRD MURDERER ’Tis he.
FIRST MURDERER Stand to ’t.
BANQUO, to Fleance It will be rain tonight.
FIRST MURDERER Let it come down!
The three Murderers attack.
BANQUO
O treachery!
Fly, good Fleance, fly, fly, fly!
Thou mayst revenge—O slave!
He dies.
Fleance exits.
THIRD MURDERER
Who did strike out the light?
FIRST MURDERER Was ’t not the way?
THIRD MURDERER There’s but one down.
The son is
fled.
SECOND MURDERER We have lost best half of our
affair.
FIRST MURDERER
Well, let’s away and say how much is done.
They exit.
yeehaw
yeehaw
This interaction between Banquo and his son shows that Banquo would sacrifice himself to protect those whom he loves- a much more heroic virtue than the way that Macbeth is treating those who had trusted him.
Maybe Banquo was trying to save Fleance from getting killed and he wanted him to go as far as he could so they wouldn’t kill him and they wouldn’t find him. Also maybe he could of warn people of what has happened and explain to Duncans son what is happening that way they can throw Macbeth out and he will no longer be king
yeehaw
yeehaw
This scenario shows how; even though Macbeth had tried, he couldn’t have altered the witches’ prophesies (of Banquo’s son becoming the next king- since now that he was able to escape can overthrow Macbeth in the future).
yeehaw
yeehaw
are they fearful of Macbeth’s response to this? why didn’t some of them attempt to chase Fleance- in order to kill him, instead of let him escape?
Scene 4
Banquet prepared.
Enter Macbeth, Lady Macbeth,
Ross, Lennox, Lords, and Attendants.
MACBETH
You know your own degrees; sit down.
At first
And last, the hearty welcome.They sit.
LORDS Thanks to your Majesty.
MACBETH
Ourself will mingle with society
And play the humble host.
Our hostess keeps her state, but in best time
We will require her welcome.
LADY MACBETH
Pronounce it for me, sir, to all our friends,
For my heart speaks they are welcome.
yeehaw
this alludes to the Macbeth’s utilizing the same strategy as before- when they killed Duncan.
Enter First Murderer to the door.
MACBETH
See, they encounter thee with their hearts’ thanks.
Both sides are even.
Here I’ll sit i’ th’ midst.
Be large in mirth.
Anon we’ll drink a measure
The table round.
He approaches the Murderer.
There’s
blood upon thy face.
MURDERER ’Tis Banquo’s then.
MACBETH
’Tis better thee without than he within.
Is he dispatched?
MURDERER
My lord, his throat is cut.
That I did for him.
MACBETH
Thou art the best o’ th’ cutthroats,
Yet he’s good that did the like for Fleance.
If thou didst it, thou art the nonpareil.
MURDERER
Most royal sir, Fleance is ’scaped.
MACBETH,
aside
Then comes my fit again.
I had else been perfect,
Whole as the marble, founded as the rock,
As broad and general as the casing air.
But now I am cabined, cribbed, confined, bound in
To saucy doubts and fears.—But Banquo’s safe?
MURDERER
Ay, my good lord.
Safe in a ditch he bides,
With twenty trenchèd gashes on his head,
The least a death to nature.
MACBETH Thanks for that.
There the grown serpent lies.
The worm that’s fled
Hath nature that in time will venom breed,
No teeth for th’ present.
Get thee gone.
Tomorrow
We’ll hear ourselves again.Murderer exits.
LADY MACBETH My royal lord,
You do not give the cheer.
The feast is sold
That is not often vouched, while ’tis a-making,
’Tis given with welcome.
To feed were best at home;
From thence, the sauce to meat is ceremony;
Meeting were bare without it.
yeehaw
this is probably in reference to how paranoid Macbeth became when he realized that he had a massive amount of blood on his hands- after killing Duncan.
what did Macbeth mean after he said this “that i did for him” why would he do it for him ? did he have to kill him?
This doesn’t look well for Macbeth. Up till now everything has been going his way, and now something has gone wrong. Banquo’s son escaped which means his throne is in jeporady.
yeehaw
perhaps he becomes aware that the witches’ prophesies are un-alterable, and that he can’t really change his fate
Everything would have been perfect because Banquo was killed but it isn’t because Fleance escaped and Fleance is the one who truly threatens Macbeth’s crown because he is Banquo’s son.
Macbeth is calm about Fleance not being killed because he isn’t a threat just yet he is only a “worm”
Enter the Ghost of Banquo, and sits in Macbeth’s place.
If Macbeth is so full of quilt, why hasn’t any of this guilt stopped him? Now he is just a killing machine. I think that he is suppressing his guilt. He has to get rid of anybody who stands in his way in order to keep his crown.
MACBETH, to Lady Macbeth Sweet remembrancer!—
Now, good digestion wait on appetite
And health on both!
LENNOX May ’t please your Highness sit.
MACBETH
Here had we now our country’s honor roofed,
Were the graced person of our Banquo present,
Who may I rather challenge for unkindness
Than pity for mischance.
ROSS His absence, sir,
Lays blame upon his promise.
Please ’t your
Highness
To grace us with your royal company?
MACBETH
The table’s full.
LENNOX Here is a place reserved, sir.
MACBETH Where?
LENNOX
Here, my good lord.
What is ’t that moves your
Highness?
MACBETH
Which of you have done this?
LORDS What, my good lord?
MACBETH, to the Ghost
Thou canst not say I did it.
Never shake
Thy gory locks at me.
ROSS
Gentlemen, rise.
His Highness is not well.
LADY MACBETH
Sit, worthy friends.
My lord is often thus
And hath been from his youth.
Pray you, keep seat.
The fit is momentary; upon a thought
He will again be well.
If much you note him
You shall offend him and extend his passion.
Feed and regard him not.Drawing Macbeth aside.
Are you a man?
MACBETH
Ay, and a bold one, that dare look on that
Which might appall the devil.
LADY MACBETH O, proper stuff!
This is the very painting of your fear.
This is the air-drawn dagger which you said
Led you to Duncan.
O, these flaws and starts,
Impostors to true fear, would well become
A woman’s story at a winter’s fire,
Authorized by her grandam.
Shame itself!
Why do you make such faces?
When all’s done,
You look but on a stool.
MACBETH
Prithee, see there.
Behold, look!
To the Ghost.
Lo,
how say you?
Why, what care I?
If thou canst nod, speak too.—
If charnel houses and our graves must send
Those that we bury back, our monuments
Shall be the maws of kites.Ghost exits.
LADY MACBETH What, quite unmanned in folly?
MACBETH
If I stand here, I saw him.
LADY MACBETH Fie, for shame!
MACBETH
Blood hath been shed ere now, i’ th’ olden time,
Ere humane statute purged the gentle weal;
Ay, and since too, murders have been performed
Too terrible for the ear.
The
time has been
That, when the brains were out, the man would die,
And there an end.
But now they rise again
With twenty mortal murders on their crowns
And push us from our stools.
This is more strange
Than such a murder is.
LADY MACBETH My worthy lord,
Your noble friends do lack you.
MACBETH I do forget.—
Do not muse at me, my most worthy friends.
I have a strange infirmity, which is nothing
To those that know me.
Come, love and health to
all.
Then I’ll sit down.—Give me some wine.
Fill full.
yeehaw
the lords and other guests at the party do not see what Macbeth believes he is witnessing
Macbeth thinks that one of his guests is pulling a prank on him because he is seeing Banquo’s ghost. But Macbeth is the only one who sees the ghost and none of the guests see him but Macbeth doesn’t know this. And since we know something that Macbeth does not this is dramatic irony.
yeehaw
yeehaw
this episode that Macbeth is experiencing shows his decent into madness after murdering so many.
yeehaw
Macbeth becomes terrified of the person whom he killed- perhaps he is finally showing remorse and regret for his actions?
She tells them that it is ok and Macbeth is just like this sometimes so they should just sit down and eat. But Lady Macbeth knows that Macbeth is going crazy but she wants to have this banquet so she lies to the guests to keep them there.
yeehaw
she tries to convince the guests that Macbeth has been like this ever since he was young. Does Lady Macbeth actually know the reason for Macbeth’s hallucinations at this point (because of ptsd?), or is she just as clueless about what is going on with him like the rest of the guests?
yeehaw
yeehaw
Lady Macbeth seems to be concerned about the declining mental state of her husband, perhaps she is seeing the effects that the murders had on them; and is beginning to regret her actions.
Enter Ghost.
I drink to th’ general joy o’ th’ whole table
And to our dear friend Banquo, whom we miss.
Would he were here!
To all, and him we thirst,
And all to all.
LORDS Our duties, and the pledge.
They raise their drinking cups.
MACBETH, to the Ghost
Avaunt, and quit my sight!
Let the earth hide thee.
Thy bones are marrowless; thy blood is cold;
Thou hast no speculation in those eyes
Which thou dost glare with.
LADY MACBETH Think of this, good
peers,
But as a thing of custom.
’Tis no other;
Only it spoils the pleasure of the time.
MACBETH, to the Ghost What man dare, I dare.
Approach thou like the rugged Russian bear,
The armed rhinoceros, or th’ Hyrcan tiger;
Take any shape but that, and my firm nerves
Shall never tremble.
Or be alive again
And dare me to the desert with thy sword.
If trembling I inhabit then, protest me
The baby of a girl.
Hence, horrible shadow!
Unreal mock’ry, hence!Ghost exits.
Why so, being gone,
I am a man again.—Pray you sit still.
LADY MACBETH
You have displaced the mirth, broke the good
meeting
With most admired disorder.
MACBETH Can such things be
And overcome us like a summer’s cloud,
Without our special wonder?
You make me strange
Even to the disposition that I owe
When now I think you can behold such sights
And keep the natural ruby of your cheeks
When mine is blanched with fear.
ROSS What sights, my
lord?
LADY MACBETH
I pray you, speak not.
He grows worse and worse.
Question enrages him.
At once, good night.
Stand not upon the order of your going,
But go at once.
LENNOX Good night, and better health
Attend his Majesty.
LADY MACBETH A kind good night to all.
Lords and all but Macbeth and Lady Macbeth exit.
MACBETH
It will have blood, they say; blood will have blood.
Stones have been known to move, and trees to
speak.
Augurs and understood relations have
By maggot pies and choughs and rooks brought
forth
The secret’st man of blood.—What is the night?
LADY MACBETH
Almost at odds with morning, which is which.
MACBETH
How say’st thou that Macduff denies his person
At our great bidding?
LADY MACBETH Did you send to him, sir?
MACBETH
I hear it by the way; but I will send.
There’s not a one of them but in his house
I keep a servant fee’d.
I will tomorrow
(And betimes I will) to the Weïrd Sisters.
More shall they speak, for now I am bent to know
By the worst means the worst.
For mine own good,
All causes shall give way.
I am in blood
Stepped in so far that, should I wade no more,
Returning were as tedious as go o’er.
Strange things I have in head that will to hand,
Which must be acted ere they may be scanned.
LADY MACBETH
You lack the season of all natures, sleep.
MACBETH
Come, we’ll to sleep.
My strange and self-abuse
Is the initiate fear that wants hard use.
We are yet but young in deed.
They exit.
I think Macbeth feels bad for what he did. I think this because Banquo was Macbeth’s friend and then he killed him because he wants to stay king. And now he is seeing Banquos ghost but doesn’t want to see him and think it is because he feels guilty.
I believe he’s scared of going to sleep because he’s feeling guilty and he’s afraid hell have a bad dream. he’s feeling really bad about what he has done however lady Macbeth is felling absolutely nothing she’s just saying he did what he had to do because she’s jealous and she wants Macbeth and her future children to be the kings.
yeehaw
what caused Macbeth to think of the ghost again? why does Macbeth feel as if the ghost wants revenge?
yeehaw
yeehaw
the way that only Macbeth sees the ghost of his past victims, and has to deal with the weight of his actions alone- Is hence worsening his already deteriorating mental stability.
Scene 5
Thunder.
Enter the three Witches, meeting Hecate.
FIRST WITCH
Why, how now, Hecate?
You look angerly.
HECATE
Have I not reason, beldams as you are?
Saucy and overbold, how did you dare
To trade and traffic with Macbeth
In riddles and affairs of death,
And I, the mistress of your charms,
The close contriver of all harms,
Was never called to bear my part
Or show the glory of our art?
And which is worse, all you have done
Hath been but for a wayward son,
Spiteful and wrathful, who, as others do,
Loves for his own ends, not for you.
But make amends now.
Get you gone,
And at the pit of Acheron
Meet me i’ th’ morning.
Thither he
Will come to know his destiny.
Your vessels and your spells provide,
Your charms and everything beside.
I am for th’ air.
This night I’ll spend
Unto a dismal and a fatal end.
Great business must be wrought ere noon.
Upon the corner of the moon
There hangs a vap’rous drop profound.
I’ll catch it ere it come to ground,
And that, distilled by magic sleights,
Shall raise such artificial sprites
As by the strength of their illusion
Shall draw him on to his confusion.
He shall spurn fate, scorn death, and bear
His hopes ’bove wisdom, grace, and fear.
And you all know, security
Is mortals’ chiefest enemy.
Music and a song.
Hark!
I am called.
My little spirit, see,
Sits in a foggy cloud and stays for me.Hecate exits.
Sing within “Come away, come away,” etc.
FIRST WITCH
Come, let’s make haste.
She’ll soon be back again.
They exit.
yeehaw
this time their dialogue suggests that they have certain power in order to change the outcomes of how the day will continue. Perhaps is this evidence of the witches being the ones who actually made the prophesies for Macbeth and Banquo? Was it their doing all along?
Scene 6
Enter Lennox and another Lord.
LENNOX
My former speeches have but hit your thoughts,
Which can interpret farther.
Only I say
Things have been strangely borne.
The gracious
Duncan
Was pitied of Macbeth; marry, he was dead.
And the right valiant Banquo walked too late,
Whom you may say, if ’t please you, Fleance killed,
For Fleance fled.
Men must not walk too late.
Who cannot want the thought how monstrous
It was for Malcolm and for Donalbain
To kill their gracious father?
Damnèd fact,
How it did grieve Macbeth!
Did he not straight
In pious rage the two delinquents tear
That were the slaves of drink and thralls of sleep?
Was not that nobly done?
Ay, and wisely, too,
For ’twould have angered any heart alive
To hear the men deny ’t.
So that I say
He has borne all things well.
And I do think
That had he Duncan’s sons under his key
(As, an ’t please heaven, he shall not) they should
find
What ’twere to kill a father.
So should Fleance.
But peace.
For from broad words, and ’cause he
failed
His presence at the tyrant’s feast, I hear
Macduff lives in disgrace.
Sir, can you tell
Where he bestows himself?
LORD The
son of Duncan
(From whom this tyrant holds the due of birth)
Lives in the English court and is received
Of the most pious Edward with such grace
That the malevolence of fortune nothing
Takes from his high respect.
Thither Macduff
Is gone to pray the holy king upon his aid
To wake Northumberland and warlike Siward
That, by the help of these (with Him above
To ratify the work), we may again
Give to our tables meat, sleep to our nights,
Free from our feasts and banquets bloody knives,
Do faithful homage, and receive free honors,
All which we pine for now.
And this report
Hath so exasperate
the King that he
Prepares for some attempt of war.
LENNOX Sent he to Macduff?
LORD
He did, and with an absolute “Sir, not I,”
The cloudy messenger turns me his back
And hums, as who should say “You’ll rue the time
That clogs me with this answer.”
LENNOX And that well might
Advise him to a caution t’ hold what distance
His wisdom can provide.
Some holy angel
Fly to the court of England and unfold
His message ere he come, that a swift blessing
May soon return to this our suffering country
Under a hand accursed.
LORD I’ll send my prayers with him.
They exit.
yeehaw
does this mean that the people of Scotland wish to revolt against Macbeth? will Macduff be leading them?
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