Macbeth Act III

Act III begins with Banquo raising his doubts of Macbeth and pondering the possibility of the second prophecy coming true “You will bear a long line of Kings”. This shows Macbeth’s time is short and the doubts Banquo raises show the cracks in the previous friendship of the kings and the mistrust Banquo has for Macbeth.  Macbeth once Banquo has gone thinks of his possibilities of being a “fruitless crown” and deems it necessary to kill Banquo as his old friend is the only man in Scotland he fears. The change of Macbeth is evident in this scene, with his ease in regard to murder.

Him and Lady Macbeth seemed to have switched roles. Lady Macbeth in Act 1 Scene 7 tells Macbeth that his should “look like the innocent flower, / But be the serpent under’t” and Macbeth similarly tells the murderers that they “make their faces visors to their hearts, disguising what they are” the constant theme of trickery and false faces runs through Macbeth. It is clear Macbeth has created a nation of complete mistrust.  Despite the brave face Macbeth is putting on he reveals his “full of scorpions in my mind” and it is clear that the brave, honourable Macbeth and the strong deadly Lady Macbeth are gone. Left with two desperate, scared people doing everything to stop their kingdom crumbling. Lady Macbeth has obviously had a change of heart, desperately attempting to talk her husband out of the murders, a far cry from the woman who led a man to slaughter. Lady Macbeth and Macbeth have come to the realisation that they are no where near done with the murders, Macbeth saying at the end of the act that they are only waist deep in. The more Macbeth murders the more frantic and dangerous he becomes. Scotland’s turmoil can only be saved by the death of Macbeth.

The Macbeth’s at this point are terrified and realising they are fighting a losing battle.  Macbeth’s vision of the ghost at the table in scene four shows the further disintegration and guilt in his mind. The reactions of those at the table make it obvious Macbeth is not a trusted King. The use of the ghost in this scene also resonates with the supernatural.  Act III ends with talk of a war to be waged on Macbeth, led by Malcolm and Macduff with Scotland wishing for their win. Macbeth’s reign of unease and terror is drawing to a close.