Scene 1

Banquo’s suspicion of Macbeth begins to grow and wonders if wether the witches prediction for his son to be king will come true, since Macbeths prediction for him to be king has come true. Macbeth and Lady Macbeth enter the scene and invites Banquo to the feast they’ll be hosting later tonight. Macbeth then asks if Banquo and Fleance plans to ride this afternoon.

Everyone leave the scene and Macbeth is left with a servant who he asks if the men he has invited have arrives and orders for the servant to collect them. Macbeth is left alone and begins a soliloquy. In his soliloquy Macbeth says that Banquo is the only man that he fears and how Banquo’s sons could potentially overthrow his title of king. Macbeth plans to take action with Banquo but doesn’t want to kill him himself. The attendant arrives back with the two murderers, Macbeth convinces the murderers that Banquo is their enemy. Macbeth then question their manhood by asking one kind of men are they if they are willing to put up with Banquo. Macbeth convinces the men that they have to kill Banquo and Fleance without drawing suspicion to himself and keeping the matter away from the public.

Scene 2

Lady Macbeth reflects that although her and Macbeth have gotten what they’ve ultimately wanted she still does not feel happy “Than by destruction dwell in doubtful joy”. Macbeth shares the feeling of being unsettled “We have scotched the snake, not killed it”. Macbeth feels bitter that Duncan is the one that is better off as unlike Macbeth he can sleep in peace. Macbeth doesn’t fill Lady Macbeth in on his plan to have Banquo and Fleance killed but hints that something bad is about to happen.

Scene 3

The two murderers meet at a park and are joined by a third murderer who was sent by Macbeth. The Murderers kill Banquo by stabbing him 20 times in the head but Fleance manages to escape.

Scene 4

Scene 4 is set in the Macbeths castle where a Banquet is prepared for Macbeth, Lady Macbeth, Rosse, Lenox, Lords and the attendants. The banquet is to get all the thanes together to celebrate Macbeth’s new title of king. We can already see that there is tension in the room as the guest seem uncomfortable. One of the murderers enters and in private informs Macbeth that Banquo has been killed but Fleance managed to escape, Macbeth is outraged as his title of king does not feel secure. Macbeth then returns to the banquet and sees the bloody ghost of Banquo seated in his chair, he goes into shock and starts to address the ghost. The guests at the banquet are confused as the ghost is invisible to them. Lady Macbeth makes excuses for Macbeth by saying that this type of behaviour is normal for him and that they should just pretend that nothing is out of the ordinary. Lady Macbeth tries to make Macbeth step out of his trance by questioning his manhood, while Lady Macbeth is talking to Macbeth she allows the information about Macbeth killing Duncan to slip but none of the guests seem to notice. The ghost of Banquo vanishes only for it to reappear soon after. Lady Macbeth tries to make more excuses for Macbeths strange behaviour but then decides to send the confused guests out. Once the guests all leave Macbeth says that he plans to visit the witches tomorrow.

“I am in blood

Stepped in so far, that should i wade no more,

Returning were as tedious as go’er” – Macbeth to Lady Macbeth

Scene 5

The three witches and Hecate meet. Hecate professes her anger that she was not involved in meddling with Macbeth. She then says that they can make it up to her by meeting her in the morning at the pit of Acheron where Macbeth will come to find out his destiny. She asks for them to bring their cauldrons, spells and charms. Hecate says that she has to go to catch a magic droplet hanging from the moon which will create magic spirits when she casts spells on it. The spirits will confuse Macbeth with their strong illusions. With these powerful illusions Macbeth will think he has a security will ultimately be his greatest enemy.

“And you all know, security

Is mortal’s chiefest enemy.” – Hecate to the three witches

Scene 6

Scene 6 happens the same night as Scene 5. Lenox and another lord suspect that Macbeth killed Duncan and Banquo even though it has officially been declared that Fleance was the killer of Banquo. They believe that Macbeth is acting as a cruel and oppressive ruler. The lord informs Lenox that Macduff has travelled to England to ask for help from Englands King. Lenox hopes that Macduff will be succeed in saving Scotland from Macbeth’s ruling.