He then orders murderers to kill Banquo, which is a character development on Macbeth’s side. He was just afriad of killing Duncan, but all the fear and paranoia are getting to him, and the fact that there is no going back from what he did are making him justify things that shouldn’t be justified. This scene is the start of Macbeth’s “dictatorship” perse.  

His goal is fullfilled yet he still has the fear of people coming after him and taking what he has done so much to achieve which is why he starts by killing anybody he suspects might be against him, and because of paranoia, it causes him to go mad with the killling and abusing his power. This scene is important overall because it is the start of the “bloody reign of Macbeth”. It is the start of a new point in his character development which will progress to become something even worse in the future. It is the start of the main plot of the play, where a Scottish king becomes a murderer and tyrant because of his greed and paranoia. It is key to understand how he has become such a king in the future, and this is the point where it all began.  

This quote reflects the recurring theme shown throughout the play of fate and the supernatural. The quote is referring to how Macbeth should not dwell on the past which cannot be changed rather he should accept what occurred. Moreover, it connects to the theme of the supernatural as its referring to how fate cannot be changed as it’s inevitable and therefore cannot be avoided and thereby foreshadows how Macbeth in any circumstances would’ve meet the same fate of becoming king albeit through unlawful means. 

This quote reflects the recurring theme of violence and how it’s a never-ending cycle that Macbeth by commencing with Duncan’s murder has been trapped in. For instance, the quote mentions how things accomplished through wicked deeds can only be strengthened by committing more deeds of the same wickedness. Hence, this quote refers to the constantly occurring acts of violence that are performed by Macbeth, and how once he initiated the first act of violence it consequently leads to more such as the eventual murder of Banquo. Furthermore, this quote references act 1 scene 7 “….we but teach, Bloody instructions, which, being taught, return, To plague th’ inventor…” in which Macbeth laments how violent acts only teach others to commit more violence, and how these acts come to plague the initiator; therefore cementing the recurring theme in Macbeth in which an act of violence only initiates more in a never-ending cycle of bloodshed and brutality. 

“'Tis safer to be that which we destroy 

Than by destruction dwell in doubtful joy.” 
- Lady Macbeth 

The quote displayed on the left is placed at the end of Lady Macbeth's soliloquy, which even though structurally already pays a lot of literary significance, still uncovers numerous interesting things about Lady Macbeth's character. The quote specifies how it is better to be dead than to be unsettled by the dead, thus better than to be surrounded by the  guilt. This quote suggests how Lady Macbeth begins to feel excessive doubt and guilt about Duncan’s murder and the central idea that she not only agreed but said this statement points to her own self doubt and guilt she either realises or finally opens up to. The heavy alliteration which is accompanied in said quote primarily suggests sets a very aggressive atmosphere, the alliteration being focused on the “d” sound which is said very harshly and abruptly in the english language, creating an aggressive atmosphere handed to the audience by Lady Macbeth which perhaps suggests that she is either scared or angry at the fact that said statement is true and coming from her lips. The anger she is experiencing can be traced back to when she was asking the sisters to take away her ability for remorse or compassion, and the fact that she is starting to feel guilt is a sign that the witches did not accomplish her prayer completely. 

-Banquo 

This quote explains directly why Macbeth fears Banquo and wants him killed. He is smart and figured out that Macbeth killed Duncan. His knowledge of the prophecy and what it holds is reason enough for Macbeth to fear Banquo exposing him which causes Macbeth’s paranoia to also increase (which as a result makes him go to the extent of bringing in murderers to kill Banquo)  

It is obvious to Macbeth that Banquo is the closest to realizing what he has done and he fears the consequences he was worried about before are going to start affecting his throne. Moreover, Banquo’s children are also said to take the throne, and because of Macbeth’s greed, he wants to stop that from happening. 

Through presenting Banquo’s stance on the situation to the audience, Shakespeare is giving reason as to why Macbeth decides to kill him later in the scene, and through using a soliloquy, it shows that Macbeth doesn’t fear Banquo because he knows what Banquo thinks, but because of his own paranoia, connecting this scene to the theme of Paranoia.  
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“To be thus is nothing, but to be safely thus. Our fears in Banquo stick deep. 

(Macbeth soliloquy) To be king is nothing, but to be securely stationed in a position of power is much better. Macbeth thinks Banquo will turn him in. 

It is concluded. Banquo, thy soul's flight, if it find heaven, must find it out tonight.” 

-Macbeth 

Macbeth has just decided that he wanted to kill Banquo and he sent out merderers to do it. For Macbeth to kill some body even after everything that happened shows extreme character development and progression of his maddness. He started off afraid of a dagger but his ambition grew due to his wife. He mentioned heaven which is also what he said before he killed Duncan, this shows how much the paranoia and the greed affected his common sense, and it will keep affecting him until the day he is beaten.  
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“To be thus is nothing, but to be safely thus--/Our fears in Banquo stick deep,/And in his royalty of nature reigns that/Which would be feared.  'Tis much he dares;/And, to that dauntless temper of his mind,/He hath a wisdom that doth guide his valor/To act in safety.  There is none but he Whose being I do fear:  and under him/My genius is rebuked, as it is said/Mark Antony's was by Caesar.” 

-Macbeth 

There is irony in Macbeth’s soliloquy. He has done everything, even going to the extent of murdering the king which back in the day was considered the worse of what someone could do, yet he doesnt feel any happiness in fullfilling what he wanted to achieve. Macbeth begins his soliloquy by saying, "To be thus is nothing; But to be safely thus." Which means that rather than enjoying the crown, he worrying about the other responsibilities and consequences that come with it.  

Instead of living the life he wanted as a king, his actions resulted in him being more miserable than he was before any of it ever happened which is ironic considering the fact that he didn’t even want to kill the king before his wife forced him to do so.  
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“And I another 

So weary with disasters, tugged with fortune, 

That I would set my life on any chance, 

To mend it or be rid on ’t.” 

This quote is very important to the scene, as it shows how determined and fearless the murderers hired by Macbeth are, as they have nothing to lose. The hyperbole used that says that the person would set his life on any chance, whether it would fix it or end it, dehumanizes the murderer, and makes the audience understand how reckless and atrocious he will be when murdering Banquo. He also mentions how unlucky and sad his life was, and blames Banquo for it, showing how unregretful and cynic he will be in his violence. 

Suspicion is an occurring theme, as Lennox has doubts of Macbeth and thinks that immediately murdering the guards added more suspect as it shows evidence that he wanted to get rid of.  

They also relate back to the similarities of the murders of Banquo and King Duncan. Another theme would be hope, Lennox was super loyal to Macbeth and can't help but to feel suspicion of Macbeth and his possible actions.

To kill their gracious father? Damnèd fact! 

How it did grieve Macbeth!”

Here we find out that the civilians do still believe that Malcolm and Donalbain killed Duncan. They are loyal to their new king and they believe that Duncan’s death deeply grieved Macbeth. They don’t think that everything is strange anymore and they are adapting to the new situation with their new king. They are also suspicious in the fact that Malcom and Donalbain killed Duncan as they cannot believe it and to do it together also doesn’t make sense as only one brother could get the throne. Therefore, the suspicion of Lennox makes this quote very interesting.


“He did, and with an absolute “Sir, not I,” 

The cloudy messenger turns me his back, 

And hums, as who should say “You’ll rue the time 

That clogs me with this answer.””

This quote said by Lord replies to Lennox’s inquiry asking if Macduff was asked to return to Scotland, Lord explains that Macduff refused to return back, and how the messenger rudely turned is back to Macduff as a symbol that he will rue the day you gave me that answer. This quote is to show that there is more action to the plot, and more that is happening. It creates suspicion to the reader after he recites “You’ll rue the time that clogs me with this answer” what will happen next? What does he mean when he says regret? What will the consequence be?

“My former speeches have but hit your thoughts,

Was pitied of Macbeth. Marry, he was dead.”

This quote shows how Lennox started to think about Duncan’s suspicious death. He thought it was weird how Macbeth pitied Duncan right after Duncan had died. Lennox thinks Fleance had killed Duncan as Fleance fled the scene of the crime. Lennox shows how he thinks that Fleance killed Duncan by saying “Wasn’t it loyal of him to kill those two servants right away, while they were still drunk and asleep? That was the right thing to do, wasn’t it?” This quote shows the misunderstood Lennox and the start of what will going to happen after he made his assumption.

Thy gory locks at me.” he is potentially attempting to reason that he was never the one to metaphorically 'pull the trigger' as such he fails to see that the blood is in on his hands - he feels trapped. This raises the question "Is Banquo's ghost real or a figment of Macbeth's guilty mind?" The uncertainty emphasizes that Macbeth's fate is part of him, caused by his character: his ambition and guilt. In addition to following, Lady Macbeth begins to inform everybody else present at the dinner table that this is just another one of 'macbeth's fits'. Once again, she downplays the significance of the situation which emphasizes her ambition. For more context, the very fact that she is not able to see Banquo's ghost alongside her husband highlights that she doesn't feel as remorseful or haunted by the situation. Lastly, when Macbeth sees banquo sitting at the head of the table, it could symbolize that Macbeth took what was meant to be his, and now consequences - such as the constant paranoia and supernatural driven fear - will follow. 

This quote refers to Macbeth's fear that as things change he will lose power. Furthermore, the quote itself  is a metaphor. For more context, the grown serpent is Banquo and the worm is Fleance. In time the worm will grow and breed, and Macbeth will lose control and status yet again - he believes so as one of the prophecies from the witches was that Banquo would father a line of kings. The use of the word 'venom' essentially portrays Banquo as a malicious character which is not the case. As such, this quote can also be interpreted as  ironic due to the fact snakes are commonly associated with evil and Macbeth is by far the more immoral character here. It  conveys how Macbeth’s ambition has caused him to lose touch with reality  - if he truly believes Banquo is wicked.

'Tis better thee without than he within.Is he dispatched?”
This quote was said by Macbeth, here, he is talking to The first murderer and the first signs of ambition start to show, these are being expressed by the usage of imagery, Macbeth is saying how he’d rather see banquo’s blood splattered on his face than flowing through bancuo’s veins. He was really desperate to be king he made the first murderer do his dirty work and sent him to kill banquo and fleance but fleance managed to escape. When Macbeth says “Is he dispatched?” it is very clear that Macbeth is acting paranoid he has to make sure that Banquo was dead so then nothing could come in his way. When he says “Is he dispatched?” he means  Did you finish him off? And did you kill him, Macbeth’s ambition to be powerful was so big he started going mad and paranoid.

“Then comes my fit again. I had else been perfect,

This quote was said by Macbeth after the first murderer said “Most royal sir, Fleance is ’scaped.” He said that he murdered banquo but Fleance escaped. Macbeth continues to say that now he’s scared again. Otherwise it would have been perfect, as solid as a piece of marble, as firm as a rock, as free as the air itself. Here we can see the use of imagery, tactile and visual, he is explaining how perfect his plan would have been if he killed Fleance he also juxtaposition to take two opposite things to connect them with one topic, here he used “Whole as the marble, founded as the rock, As broad and general as the casing air.” Macbeth continues to say that now he's all tangled up with doubts and fears. Here the beginning of his paranoia starts to grow, this is also foreshadowing for when he loses it and starts to imagine things and start to see ghosts. Lastly he says But Banquo’s been taken care of? Here he is making sure that Banquo is dead and he cant come in his way of becoming king anymore, this is a sign of paranoia because he had to ask the murderer several times if he completely killed banquo which is also foreshadowing to later in the scene where macbeth sees banquo's ghost in his castle.

This scene is included to show the audience how Macbeth is starting to be really paranoid and think there is a bigger threat to him which is Banquo - He starts building up jealousy that there will be someone else ruling after him. And now Macbeth wants to get rid of Banquo so that doesn't happen. This scene is important because it shoes how Macbeth went from being the one who needed his wife’s support in order to go through the murder of Duncan and the one who was all innocent and a good man who has now become a heatless man that will eliminate any threat that he feels will take his crown away. This is also an important scene because it shows how the relationship of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth has changed, and now Macbeth is keeping secretes and not telling Macbeth his next steps before doing them, showing how now the roles in their marriage have changed and even Lady Macbeth thinks that they aren't entirely happy now that they have the crown and she also comments how Macbeth has been acting distant.  

This quote is spoken by Macbeth as he reveals to Lady Macbeth his plan about Banquo’s eventual murder while simultaneously providing insight into the changes that occurred to Macbeth’s character. Supernatural imagery is quite apparent within this quote and serves as foreshadowing for the events that will unfold in following scenes. For instance, the beginning of the quote depicts to how the sky is darkening and the crow flies to its home in the forest and symbolises how Banquo’s murder is going to occur as on the night of Duncan’s murder the sky had darkened with the weather becoming unruly and that crows are bad omens suggesting that death is near; thus these references to supernatural imagery help to foreshadow how Macbeth will soon enact the murder of his fellow ally Banquo. Moreover, the metaphor present in the latter half of the quote depicts the change that has occurred in Macbeth’s demeanour from the beginning of the play in Act 1 to the current point in Act 3. The line “Good things of day begin to droop and drowse; Whiles night’s black agents to their preys do rouse,” is referring to  how, as night falls, the gentle creatures of the day fall asleep while the predators of the night commence their hunt for prey. Meaning that the previous line is representing how the innocence in Macbeth has been laid to rest and how Macbeth has embraced his role as the predator following Duncan’s murder while displaying violent tendencies of his own as seen through his intention of carrying out Banquo’s murder. Therefore, this quote provides insight into the shift that’s occurred in Macbeth’s demeanour; from the man of heroicness and valour he was remembered as in Act 1, to the villainous and sinister man he’s transformed to as of the current act.