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Scene I
As Macbeth makes his way toward the king’s bedchamber, he encounters Banquo with his son Fleance.
Banquo has been unable to sleep and explains to Macbeth that he has been dreaming of the weird sisters. After arranging to
meet again in order to discuss the matter, Banquo asserts his allegiance to the king and bids good night to Macbeth. No sooner
is Macbeth alone, than he has an extraordinary experience. Either in the heat of the moment or through some supernatural visitation,
he sees a ghostly dagger indicating the way to the Duncan. Convinced that “there’s no such thing,” he climbs
to the king’s chamber.
Scene II
Having drugged the guards of Duncan’s chamber, Lady Macbeth now meets her husband in the lower courtyard
as he emerges from the king’s room itself. Macbeth’s conscience is clearly disturbed by what he has done, and
once more his wife criticizes his lack of firmness. The success of their plot is also in jeopardy because Macbeth has brought
the daggers with him. Lady Macbeth returns to the scene of the murder in order to place the daggers and to smear the king’s
sleeping servants with blood, a deed that presents her with none of the horror that now affects Macbeth. As the scene closes,
we hear, with the Macbeths, a loud and persistent knocking at the door.
Scene III
The knocking continues, but the porter does not immediately open the door. Instead, he plays
a game with himself in which he imagines himself as the porter of hell and jokes about the kind of sinners he might let in.
Eventually, however, he opens the door to Lennox and Macduff, who have been commanded to call upon the king to arrange the
royal departure. It is early morning, and most of those in the castle are still asleep. One who is not is Macbeth, and he
directs Macduff to the king’s chamber. Only a moment passes before the news breaks: King Duncan has been murdered.On
hearing the terrible revelation, the Macbeths’ acts are beyond suspicion, but Macbeth admits to having killed the guards
of the King’s chamber—not part of the original plan—and Lady Macbeth faints. The assembled thanes of Scotland
resolve to avenge the act of treason. Duncan’s sons, Malcolm and Donalbain, thinking themselves open to the charge of
murdering their father, plan to flee to England and Ireland.
Scene IV
On his way from the castle, the Thane of Ross encounters an Old Man, who confirms the widespread
reports of disruption in the natural world. Macduff appears with fresh news that Duncan is buried, that his sons have fled,
and that the kingship has passed to Macbeth. The opening prophecies of the Witches have been completed.
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