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Banquo's Interpretation of Macbeth's Rise

• Banquo believes Macbeth obtained the witches' promises through evil deeds.

Macbeth's Invitation to Banquo

• Macbeth invites Banquo to dinner, indicating a facade of friendship.

Banquo's Evening Plans

• Banquo will ride until evening with his son, Fleance.

Rumors about Malcolm and Donalbain

• Macbeth shares that Malcolm and Donalbain have fled to England and Ireland, suspected of killing Duncan.

Macbeth's Guilt

• In a soliloquy, Macbeth reflects on his actions, stating he murdered Duncan for Banquo’s children, worrying they will inherit the throne instead of his own.

Comparison to Caesar

• Macbeth likens Banquo to Caesar, expressing how Banquo's presence makes him feel weak, similar to Antony's effect on Caesar.

Act III Vocabulary

• Posterity: Future generations.
• Cide: Kill (used in terms like parricide, regicide, etc.).
• Muse: To think in silence.
• Wayward: Deviating from expected norms or guidance.

Background on Mark Antony & Octavius

• After Julius Caesar's assassination, Antony and Octavius allied to defeat the conspirators.
• Their relationship deteriorated, leading to Octavius defeating Antony.

Acheron

• A river in the underworld, symbolic of hell.

Literary Terms

• Apostrophe: A figure of speech where a character addresses a non-human entity or someone absent.

Macbeth's Manipulation of the Murderers

• He portrays Banquo as the enemy, manipulating their anger to justify the murder.

Murderers' Justification

• The murderers feel their lives are inconsequential, making them willing to kill Banquo.

Targets for Murder

• Macbeth wants both Banquo and his son, Fleance, dead.

Lady Macbeth's Concern

• She mentions that desiring something can bring unrest and claims it's safer to be a victim than a criminal.
• Macbeth argues that Duncan is better off in peace than in his tortured state.

Instructions to Lady Macbeth

• Macbeth advises her to treat Banquo with friendliness to conceal their sinister plans.

Macbeth's Secrets

• He tells Lady Macbeth to be “innocent of the knowledge” regarding the plan to kill Banquo, protecting her from the truth of his actions.

The Third Murderer

• Macbeth hires a third murderer to ensure the conspiracy's success.

Murderers' Success

• The murderers successfully kill Banquo but fail to kill Fleance.

News of Banquo's Death

• At the banquet, Macbeth is informed of Banquo’s death, symbolized by blood on a murderer's face.

Metaphor of the Serpent and the Worm

• Macbeth refers to Banquo as the serpent and Fleance as the worm, indicating that although Banquo is dead, Fleance will pose a future threat.

Macbeth's Doubts

• Macbeth voices insecurity about Banquo’s ghost haunting him, reflecting his guilt and paranoia.

Lady Macbeth's Explanation

• Lady Macbeth downplays Macbeth's behavior as fits from childhood, advising guests not to ask questions.

Commands to Guests

• Lady Macbeth tells guests to ignore rank and leave without formal goodbyes.

Macbeth's Spies

• Macbeth claims to have informants in every noble's household to monitor actions against him.

Insights from Lennox about Macbeth

• Lennox expresses suspicion toward Macbeth, believing he is responsible for recent murders and labeling him a tyrant.

Macduff's Alleged Escape

• Lennox suggests that Macduff has fled to seek aid against Macbeth, fostering hope for a rebellion.

Fear Among the Thanes

• The thanes are cautious, discussing their dissatisfaction secretly due to fear of Macbeth's power.

Hecate's Critique of the Witches

• Hecate criticizes the Weird Sisters for their dealings with Macbeth without consulting her.

Hecate's Advice

• She warns that Macbeth's waywardness will ultimately be detrimental to the witches' plans, emphasizing the need for control over him.