Macbeth Act 3

The scene opens with Banquo telling Macbeth that he will be traveling by the castle at midnight with his son Fleance, but says that he won't miss the grand feast later on. Macbeth secretly plots the death of Banquo at this point, because it would secure his lineage. Macbeth and Lady Macbeth, however, are both also being ravaged by guilt, but they take solace in the upcoming feast and impending death of Banquo and Fleance. Macbeth speaks to a triumvirate of murderers, setting them the task of assassination, which they perform to half effect, killing only Banquo and letting Fleance escape. At the banquet, Macbeth recurrently sees Banquo's ghost, prompting fearful reactions, much to the bewilderment of his guests. He resolves to attend the witches for further advice as to the nature of the apparition. In the next scene, Heccat, the chief witch, scolds the other witches for not included her in their machinations, and tells them to reassure Macbeth. Aside, Lennox and another Lord discuss their suspicions that Macbeth is the murderer, and talk of Malcolm's impending arrival to force a coup, with the alliance of the English king.