1. Macbeth
Act 3 scene Summaries

2. 3:1 – Castle at Forres
Characters: Banquo, Macbeth, Lady Macbeth, two murderers
Action: Banquo suspects Macbeth of Duncan’s murder; Macbeth fears Banquo, turns to murderers to murder Banquo and Fleance
Staging: a room in the palace—no specific props
Problem or Solution: Problem—Macbeth begins to let his fears and ambition get the best of him, killing anyone in his way.

3. 3:2 – A Room in the Castle Characters: Lady Macbeth, Macbeth
Action: Lady Macbeth is beginning to feel guilty, and she expresses this to Macbeth. Macbeth hints at Banquo’s murder, but won’t tell Lady Macbeth about his plans.
Staging: a room in the palace—no specific props
Problem or Solution: Problem—Lady Macbeth is beginning to feel overwhelmed with guilt

4. 3:3 – Outside the Castle Characters: three murderers, Banquo, Fleance
Action: Murderers ambush Banquo and Fleance; Banquo is killed, but Fleance flees
Staging: outside; bushes and/or trees to hide the murderers
Problem or Solution: Problem—Fleance has escaped; Banquo is dead because of Macbeth, and Macbeth‘s power increases.

5. 3:4 – The Great Hall of the Castle
Characters: Macbeth, Murderer, Lady Macbeth
Action: Macbeth finds out that Banquo was murdered, but that Fleance escaped. Macbeth sees Banquo’s ghost at the table—he becomes hysterical. Lady Macbeth tries to say it was from childhood seizures, but as Macbeth begins to say too much, Lady Macbeth tells everyone to go home.
Staging: great feast in the palace; Banquo’s ghost
Problem or Solution: Problem—Macbeth‘s conscience is getting to him; he may be losing his mind.

6. 3:5 – The Forest Characters: three witches, Hecate
Action: Hecate is mad that she wasn’t able to show her abilities by helping with Macbeth.
Staging: forest or heath, witches cauldron
Problem or Solution: neither

7. 3:6 – The Castle at Forres Characters: Lennox and another Lord
Action: Lennox and the other Lord give exposition about Banquo’s murder, Fleance’s escape, and Macduff‘s refusal to attend the feast, and Macduff joining Malcolm and Siward in England to ask for help getting rid of Macbeth.
Staging: nothing specific
Problem or Solution: Solution—finally someone will be rising up against Macbeth