Macbeth Act III Scene 4 Summary
Plot Summary / Story-line
Macbeth and Lady Macbeth, now adorned as king and queen, host a grand state banquet with the Scottish thanes in attendance. As the feast begins, a murderer appears at the door and informs Macbeth that Banquo is dead but Fleance has escaped.
Disturbed by Fleance's survival, Macbeth returns to the table. As he prepares to sit, he sees Banquo's ghost—bloodied and spectral—sitting in his chair. Only Macbeth can perceive the apparition; it remains invisible to all other guests. Macbeth, terrified and guilt-stricken, shouts at the phantom: "Thou canst not say I did it; never shake / Thy gory locks at me."
Lady Macbeth quickly intervenes, explaining to alarmed guests that her husband suffers from a chronic infirmity. She scolds Macbeth privately, questioning his manhood. Macbeth composes himself temporarily, raises a toast to Banquo and his absent son, and returns to his seat.
Moments later, the ghost reappears. Macbeth again erupts in terror, shouting "Avaunt! and quit my sight!" Lady Macbeth, alarmed that Macbeth will reveal their crimes, hastily dismisses all the guests. Once alone, Macbeth reflects on the murders, noting that Macduff was notably absent from the feast. Lady Macbeth suggests that rest will restore his peace of mind, but Macbeth reveals his intention to visit the witches again the following day.
Commentary on Act III, Scene iv
The banquet scene is a masterwork of psychological drama and the play's crucial turning point regarding Macbeth's public authority. The appearance of Banquo's ghost—whether a genuine supernatural manifestation or a projection of Macbeth's guilty conscience—serves multiple dramatic purposes. First, it demonstrates that Macbeth cannot escape the consequences of his actions through violence; his crime against Banquo literally haunts him at the moment of his triumph. Second, the ghost's visibility only to Macbeth emphasizes his isolation and psychological breakdown. While others see a king in control, only he experiences the supernatural condemnation of his acts.
The ghost's reappearance intensifies the crisis, suggesting that guilt cannot be rationalized away or hidden through social performance. Lady Macbeth's repeated attempts to manage the situation reveal her political acuity—she understands the danger of Macbeth's outbursts to their rule—yet she cannot control him. This scene marks the beginning of her diminishing influence over her husband.
Macbeth's famous declaration, "It will have blood; they say, blood will have blood," reveals his understanding that violence begets violence in an endless cycle. His suspicion of Macduff and his decision to consult the witches again demonstrate that, having embarked on the path of tyranny, he cannot stop and must continue murdering to maintain power.