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Macbeth Important Scenes
Act 3
Scene 1
Act 3 Scene 1 Summary
Banquo suspects that Macbeth played ‘most foully’ to achieve the throne. Lady Macbeth and
Macbeth invite Banquo to a ‘solemn supper’ that evening. Banquo and his son Fleance are
going out riding that a ernoon, but Banquo promises to return in me for the banquet.
Macbeth tells Banquo that he has heard that Malcolm and Donalbain are spreading terrible
rumours. When Banquo goes, Macbeth delivers a soliloquy about his fears that Banquo’s
children will become future kings. If true, his murderous deeds to seize the ‘barren sceptre’
will have been fruitless for his own family. He convinces two murderers to kill Banquo and his
son Fleance.
Important Scenes
Banquo is suspicious of Macbeth.
BANQUO
Thou hast it now: king, Cawdor, Glamis, all,
As the weird women promised, and, I fear,
Thou play'dst 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.
Macbeth ques ons Banquo about his journey with his son
MACBETH
We hear, our bloody cousins are bestow'd
In England and in Ireland, not confessing
Their cruel parricide, filling their hearers
With strange invention: but of that to-morrow,
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?
, MACBETH IMPORTANT EXTRACTS ACT 3
Scene 2
Act 3 Scene 2 Summary
Lady Macbeth is concerned about Macbeth’s misery. She advises him not to think on past
deeds saying ‘what’s done is done’. Macbeth is plagued by fears about poten al threats and
‘terrible dreams’. He envies Duncan who ‘sleeps well’ in his grave. Lady Macbeth encourages
Macbeth to put on a brave face for his guests that evening. He tells his wife that his mind is
‘full of scorpions’ with fears about Banquo and Fleance. He will not tell her what he has done
but asks the ‘seeling night’ to disguise his deeds.
Important Extracts
The rela onship between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth
LADY MACBETH
Nought'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 would rather be safe and sleeping well like the dead Duncan.
MACBETH
We have scotch'd the snake, not kill'd 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,
, MACBETH IMPORTANT EXTRACTS ACT 3
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 to-night.
Macbeth starts hiding his plans from Lady Macbeth
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 honours in these flattering streams,
And make our faces vizards to our hearts,
Disguising what they are.
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 the rooky wood:
Good things of day begin to droop and drowse;
While night's black agents to their preys do rouse.
Thou marvell'st at my words: but hold thee still;
Things bad begun make strong themselves by ill.
So, prithee, go with me.
Scene 3
Act 3 Scene 3 Summary
The murderers a ack Banquo and Fleance. Fleance manages to escape and Banquo shouts
a er him, ‘Thou mayst revenge!’ and Banquo is killed. The murderers decide to return to the
castle and tell Macbeth.
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