Macbeth: Act III

Here we are at the height of the action, the height of the conflict, Banquo is seen with "fear sticking too deep" (III, i) and thus must be done away with. Three gruesome murderers enter the scene, Macbeth is anxious, trembling, worried and only slightly paranoid. there is a party, "Macbeth as king" must celebrate, his wife is though forced to control him, his outbursts, the fear and guilt overwhelming him -- Banquo is taking new form.....a ghost. A clever ghost who works the spirit into such whim and wit its crazy. The party-goers are getting suspicious. The wife is futilely covering everything up, Macbeth has stopped caring. Macbeth: "Why, what care I? If thou canst nod, speak too. If charnel houses and our graves must send those we bury back, our monuments shall be the maws of kites" (III,iv). "Banquo, whom we miss" is not present, he is dead. Macduff is absent, but still lethal. Lennox, a lord, has called to him -- Macduff with uncover things anon.