'Macbeth' Act 3: summary and analysis

Write a 150 word summary of the entire Act 3. Include what you think are the most important events in this act.

In Act 3 scene 1, Banquo is afraid that Macbeth did not obtain the throne honestly and he gets his claim confirmed as Duncan's sons tell everyone who the traitor Macbeth is. In this scene, Macbeth is very worried about the witch's prophecy and whether it is really like his own was. If that's true, then he has assassinated King Duncan for Banquo's heirs and not his own. Macbeth wants Banquo dead, so he invites some to kill Banquo and his son Fleance. Lady Macbeth is unaware of Macbeth's plan to assassinate Banquo and his son. Macbeth is becoming more and more paranoid. Banquo is killed, but his son Fleance survives. Macbeth holds a party, but the party is interrupted when he finds out that Fleance has escaped. Lenox believes Macbeth is a traitor and a tyrant. His wish is that Siward, the Earl of Northumberland, will go against Macbeth with his English forces.

Find a quote which shows how Macbeth is becoming more paranoid and worried about his future. Explain your quote.

I have chosen this quote, “We have scorched the snake, not killed it. She’ll close and be herself whilst our poor malice Remains in danger of her former tooth. But let the frame of things disjoint, both the worlds suffer, Ere we will eat our meal in fear, and sleep In the affliction of these terrible dreams That shake us nightly. Better be with the dead, Whom we, to gain our peace, have sent to peace, Than on the torture of the mind to lie In restless ecstasy. Duncan is in his grave. After life’s fitful fever he sleeps well. Treason has done his worst; nor steel nor poison, Malice domestic, foreign levy, nothing Can touch him further..” (Act 3, l. 15-29), where we can see Macbeth getting more and more paranoid. In this quote, Macbeth says he would rather die than live in the fear he is living in right now. He describes lying down sleepless at night due to fear and says it is torture. He says he will let them rest in peace so that he himself can have peace.