Macbeth Plans a Murder II: Electric BOOgaloo

The Macbeths are finally facing consequences for their actions! Rather than feel secure in his seat as King, Macbeth is paranoid because his "fears in Banquo stick deep..." (III.i.53-54). The witches' words to him were true, so their prophecy that Banquo will be "father to a line of kings" (III.i.65) must also be true. Macbeth is now convinced that Banquo and his heirs will uproot his place on the throne. Even the strong-willed Lady Macbeth is feeling anxious and is "without content" (III.ii.7). The solution? Homicide. Preferably double homicide.

Rather than dirty his own hands and risk losing the support of "certain friends" (III.i.137), Macbeth has hired three men to do the murdering for him. Macbeth has promised these men a handsome payment for killing Banquo and his son, Fleance, but he has also taken the time to convince them that Banquo has personally wronged each of these random miscreants. Why bother? These are hardly moral men. I'm sure money alone would have been enough to convince them to kill someone.

Plus, he doesn't go that extra mile with their feelings on Fleance, even though killing Banquo's son is equally if not more important than killing Banquo if the witches' prediction is to be prevented. Macbeth and the murderers have had at least two conversations about how terrible Banquo is and how much he needs to die, but Fleance was barely more an afterthought in the conversation we witnessed because everyone was so focused on Banquo. Young Fleance is lucky enough to escape the ambush the murderers set for him and his father. Could that have happened because Macbeth incited the men's hatred of Banquo but did not encourage any particularly negative feelings for Fleance? I guess it doesn't really matter because Fleance is able to escape regardless.

After hearing of Banquo's death and Fleance's flight, Macbeth makes the best of the situation. I would've thought he'd been angrier about the escape son, who the witches imply stands a chance of taking the throne from Macbeth. Nonetheless, Macbeth returns to his feast among friends, all of whom mark Banquo's absence, only to find that his party has been crashed by none other than the late Banquo.

Banquo, in the flesh (sort of).

Macbeth is distressed to say the least. Lady Macbeth makes the inspired decision to convince the guests that her husband is having a "fit" (III.iv.66) and will be fine momentarily. Spoiler alert: Macbeth is not fine momentarily. The feast is ruined and the guests leave convinced that their new king is coo coo for cocoa puffs. Not a great day for Macbeth. The solution? Go talk to the witches! Will they make things better or worse? Tune in next time to find out!!