The scene starts with Macbeth welcoming all the lords to his banquet. He says they all know their ranks, and that Lady Macbeth will welcome them later. The first murderer comes into the room, and Macbeth walks to the door to talk to him. He asks who’s blood is on his face, and the murderer replies that it is Banquos. Macbeth then says ‘Tis better thee without than he within. Is he dispatched?’ This means Macbeth would rather see the blood on him that running through Banquos veins, and is Banquo dead. The first murderer confirms that he did kill Banquo, but tells Macbeth that Fleance escaped. Macbeth becomes worried again, saying how every thing was going to be perfect if they were both dead, but now he is scared. The first murderer leaves and Lady Macbeth says that Macbeth isn’t being a very entertaining hosts, as he just left his guests. He comes back to the table, only to see a ghost of Banquo sitting in his place. Macbeth refuses to sit down and asks who did this, but everyone else has no idea what he is talking about. He talks to Banquo, saying he can’t shake his head at him as he did not do it (meaning he did not kill him). The other lords stand, believing that Macbeth is sick.
Lady Macbeth is sick of this, and tells the lords to sit down and that Macbeth is just hallucinating again, as he often does. But Macbeth is certain of what he saw. Lady Macbeth says that this is exactly like when he saw a dagger pulling him to Duncan, and that it is all nonsense. They finish talking to each other, before both going back to the table. Macbeth toasts to Banquo and says how much he misses him, and then again sees the ghost in his chair.
This whole scene shows that all that goes on in Macbeths head is the idea of guilt, and the crown. He feels guilty about getting his best friend killed, but he wanted to if it means he has the crown. But how long will it be before this guilt drives him off the edge?
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