Now king, Macbeth is brooding on the prophecy of the witches and resolved to continue the bloodbath by killing Banquo and his son to ensure his own place as king. As the two come to a banquet on the invitation of Macbeth, Banquo and Fleance are attacked, and Banquo is killed. However, Fleance escapes. Macbeth is told the news and is unnerved by finding Banquo’s ghost sitting in his chair at the banquet. His strange behavior amazes his guests, and his wife tries to cover his terror by leading the group in drinking songs. Macbeth vows to seek out the witches to learn more about their prophecies. 

Act III opens as Macbeth finds the witches dancing around a boiling cauldron as a storm again rages around their cave. Macbeth demands more details of the future, and they summon spirits to tell him all. The spirits foretell betrayal by Macduff and repeat that Banquo’s sons will take the crown. However, they also foretell his downfall.  Enraged, Macbeth is encouraged by his wife as he swears to kill everyone in Macduff’s castle, and they sink into greater villainy. 

Macduff is shattered by the assassination of his family and destruction of his castle. He is avenged by Malcolm as they join forces against Macbeth. Lady Macbeth begins walking and talking in her sleep and unwittingly confesses the murders to her attending doctor. Macbeth contemplates the bloody course of the events he has engineered and mourns the loss of his compassion, respect, and the love of his fellows. He’s stunned to hear first that his wife is dead and that the woods are on the move. The camouflaged troops of both Macduff and Malcolm are attacking the forces of Macbeth. Macbeth is killed by Macduff and Malcolm is hailed as king.