This short but dramatic scene is dedicated to Banquo’s assassination. It begins with another murder joining the original 2 sent to kill Banquo and Fleance and the other murderers are suspicious until they realise they are all on the same side. then they go wait by the gate to attack Banquo and Fleance. When they arrive Banquo is unsuspicious, but then all 3 murderers attack Banquo, who yells out “O, treachery! Fly, good Fleance, fly, fly, fly! Thou mayst revenge. O slave!” Banquo is killed, but Fleance escapes! Fumbling in the dark the 3 murderers realise Fleance is gone and leave to inform Macbeth.
I think the fact Macbeth sent a 3rd murderer shows he didn’t trust the other 2 enough, this could show he is becoming paranoid about Banquo and Fleance and his mind is becoming muddled, scared and weak. Though the murderers don’t know it, the most important person, Fleance, has escaped. He was more import because it was Banquos children that were prophesied by the witches to be King, not Banquo himself- this will most likely make Macbeth even more worried that God has turned against him!
