Act 3, Scene 1 – Macbeth Plots Banquo’s Murder
Macbeth is worried about Banquo’s descendants being kings. He orders two murderers to
kill Banquo and his son, Fleance.
“May they not be my oracles as well” – Theme: Ambition
Banquo hopes the Witches’ predictions will come true. He is ambitious, but unlike
Macbeth, he isn’t corrupted by his ambition.
“Chief Guest” – Theme: Reality and Appearances
Macbeth is flattering Banquo to make him feel safe and to find out his whereabouts so
he can have him murdered.
The banquet held by Macbeth, would show him who his friends and enemies are. There
might be a murder of a civil war if there is a Thane that hasn’t showed up.
“Our fears in Banquo stick deep” – Character: Macbeth
Macbeth only fears of Banquo. Macbeth’s attitude to murder has changed: in Act 1,
Macbeth was shocked by the thought of murdering Duncan, but there is no hesitation
when he orders the killing of Banquo. Murder has become easy.
“Come fate into the list” – Theme: Fate and Free Will
Macbeth speaks as if he is challenging fate into a fight. Macbeth thinks he can change
fate and prevent Banquo’s descendants from becoming kings by killing Banquo and
Fleance. He is fighting against the Witches’ predictions.
“Our innocent self” – Character: Macbeth
Macbeth tricks the murderers into killing Banquo – he claims that Banquo is responsible
for ruining their lives.
“In the catalogue ye go for men” – Character: Macbeth
Macbeth has become more like Lady Macbeth as he persuades the murderers to do
what he wants by questioning their masculinity.
“Both of you know Banquo was your enemy”
Macbeth is telling lies to convince the murderers that Banquo is their enemy.
Macbeth hires murderers to kill Banquo. This shows how much his character has
changed: in Act 1, he was a fearless hero, but now he can’t meet the enemy
face-to-face. He’s become a coward.
Macbeth is worried about Banquo’s descendants being kings. He orders two murderers to
kill Banquo and his son, Fleance.
“May they not be my oracles as well” – Theme: Ambition
Banquo hopes the Witches’ predictions will come true. He is ambitious, but unlike
Macbeth, he isn’t corrupted by his ambition.
“Chief Guest” – Theme: Reality and Appearances
Macbeth is flattering Banquo to make him feel safe and to find out his whereabouts so
he can have him murdered.
The banquet held by Macbeth, would show him who his friends and enemies are. There
might be a murder of a civil war if there is a Thane that hasn’t showed up.
“Our fears in Banquo stick deep” – Character: Macbeth
Macbeth only fears of Banquo. Macbeth’s attitude to murder has changed: in Act 1,
Macbeth was shocked by the thought of murdering Duncan, but there is no hesitation
when he orders the killing of Banquo. Murder has become easy.
“Come fate into the list” – Theme: Fate and Free Will
Macbeth speaks as if he is challenging fate into a fight. Macbeth thinks he can change
fate and prevent Banquo’s descendants from becoming kings by killing Banquo and
Fleance. He is fighting against the Witches’ predictions.
“Our innocent self” – Character: Macbeth
Macbeth tricks the murderers into killing Banquo – he claims that Banquo is responsible
for ruining their lives.
“In the catalogue ye go for men” – Character: Macbeth
Macbeth has become more like Lady Macbeth as he persuades the murderers to do
what he wants by questioning their masculinity.
“Both of you know Banquo was your enemy”
Macbeth is telling lies to convince the murderers that Banquo is their enemy.
Macbeth hires murderers to kill Banquo. This shows how much his character has
changed: in Act 1, he was a fearless hero, but now he can’t meet the enemy
face-to-face. He’s become a coward.
