Macbeth Act 3, Scene 3 Summary

Summary

The scene opens in a park or lawn near the palace at dusk, where three murderers wait and argue about who recruited them. The Third Murderer names Macbeth as the instigator; the others acknowledge that Macbeth has given them clear orders and responsibilities. They resolve to wait in concealment as the evening darkens and the expected target approaches.

Banquo and his young son Fleance arrive with a torch. The murderers strike immediately: the First Murderer attacks Banquo, and in the mêlée Banquo cries out at the treachery and urges Fleance to flee. As the attackers complete their assault Banquo dies, but Fleance escapes into the night with the implication that he may someday seek revenge. The murderers, discovering that only one victim lies dead and the son has fled, lament that they have lost the more important part of their task and decide to report that they did as much as they could before leaving the scene.

Key events

1. Three murderers assemble and confirm Macbeth as their employer.
2. They take up concealed positions as night falls near the palace.
3. Banquo and Fleance enter carrying a torch.
4. Murderers attack Banquo; First Murderer strikes.
5. Banquo is killed after warning Fleance to flee.
6. Fleance escapes; the murderers report partial failure and depart.

Analysis

This short, tense scene advances the plot by showing the murderous reach of Macbeth without Macbeth’s physical presence; his influence operates through hired killers, which underscores his moral distance and growing tyranny. The murderers’ brief conversation establishes that Macbeth orchestrates violence from the center of power, and the act of outsourcing the crime further isolates him from responsibility even as it implicates him more deeply. The successful killing of Banquo removes a key ally and foreshadows the unraveling of Macbeth’s security, while Fleance’s escape introduces a persistent threat—a potential avenger and a living continuation of Banquo’s line that may frustrate Macbeth’s hopes.

Dramatically, the scene relies on immediacy and offstage implication: violence happens quickly and economically, heightening shock and leaving implications for later scenes. Symbolically, darkness and the failing torch echo themes of obscured morality and the inversion of natural order—night covers the deed and allows treachery to thrive. The murderers’ practical, almost businesslike remarks contrast with Banquo’s final, emotional cry, emphasizing the moral difference between cold killers and the betrayed. The simple structure—a setup, sudden violence, and hasty exit—keeps focus tight and builds suspense about consequences while keeping Macbeth’s role as unseen manipulator central.

Important quotes

“O, treachery! Fly, good Fleance, fly, fly, fly!”

BanquoBanquo's final cry urging his son to escape, showing sudden violence and his concern for Fleance's safety.

“There’s but one down: the son is fled.”

Third MurdererThe murderers realize the job is only half done because Fleance has escaped, signaling an important failure.

Characters in Act 3, Scene 3

• First Murderer
• Second Murderer
• Third Murderer
• Banquo
• Fleance
• Macbeth