# Scene III explained — Macbeth

> Chapter companion for Macbeth by William Shakespeare.

## What happens

Three murderers, one sent by Macbeth, ambush Banquo and Fleance near the palace. Banquo is killed, but Fleance escapes, thwarting the murderers' plan to eliminate both.

## Themes in this chapter

### Violence and Masculinity

The murderers' cold-blooded attack on Banquo demonstrates how violence is used as a tool to assert power and eliminate threats, a key aspect of Macbeth's tyrannical rule.

### Fate vs. Free Will

Fleance's escape introduces uncertainty into the witches' prophecy that Banquo's descendants will be kings, suggesting that human actions can alter the course of fate.

## Character check-ins

### Banquo

Ambushed and killed by the murderers; his last words urge Fleance to flee and seek revenge.

### Fleance

Escapes the assassination attempt, carrying the torch and fleeing as his father commands.

### Murderers

Three murderers carry out Macbeth's orders; they kill Banquo but fail to kill Fleance.

## Key lines

> O, treachery! Fly, good Fleance, fly, fly, fly! Thou mayst revenge. O slave!

Betrayed! Run, Fleance, run! You can avenge me someday. Oh, villain!

_Banquo's dying cry reveals his awareness of the betrayal and his hope that Fleance will survive to seek retribution._

> We have lost Best half of our affair.

We've failed in the most important part of our mission.

_The second murderer acknowledges that letting Fleance escape undermines the purpose of the attack, as the prophecy about Banquo's heirs remains unfulfilled._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/macbeth_se/chapters/act-iii-scene-iii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/macbeth_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/macbeth_se/chapters