Macbeth: Act 3, scene 3

The color-coded bars in this section make it easy to track the themes throughout the work. Each color corresponds to one of the themes explained in the Themes section of this LitChart. For instance, indicates that all five themes apply to that part of the summary.

Summary Analysis Themes

The two murderers lie in wait a mile from the royal castle. A third murderer joins them, sent by Macbeth.

The Third Murderer is an unsolved mystery. No critics know who he is or why he’s there.

Banquo and Fleance enter. The murderers attack. Banquo is killed, but Fleance escapes. The murderers return to the castle to tell Macbeth what’s happened.

Macbeth’s effort to control fate seals his doom. Fleance lives and Banquo’s death makes the Thanes suspicious.