Killer Anonymous

Macbeth hired two murderers to kill Banquo; however, three murderers were present at the site. The identity of murder three was never revealed. It has been debated rather or not Macbeth was the third murderer. During the party, Macbeth had enough time to murder Banquo and go back to the party. What would have been his motive? Macbeth would have been able to make sure that the job was properly done.

In Act Three, Scene Two, Lady Macbeth urges and even orders, her husband to come down to the banquet. Macbeth doesn't come right away. In fact, he doesn't make other appearance until the deed is completed. There was enough time from the time his wife left his chambers to when he materialized downstairs to slaughter Banquo. Also, Act Three Scene Four, Macbeth proposes a toast to Banquo. "And to our dear friend Banquo, whom we miss; Would be here! To all and him, we thirst. And all to all." (Lines ninety-ninety one) These lines leave the reader with many questions. First, no mentions Banquo's absent. Is it possible for Macbeth alone to notice Banquo's absent? Second, the phrase, "whom we miss" sounds like Banquo is gone forever. Could this line be a murder confession?

In Act Three, Scene Three, the third murderer knows too much. Right off, he acts suspicious. He arrives late and the other two murderers didn't know that he was coming. The third murderer knows the route that Banquo and Fleance will be taking to the castle. He indentified Banquo and Fleance before they could be seen and without a light. "Hark! I hear horses." (Act Three, Scene Three, line eight) The executioner is the first to hear the father's and son's horses. "There's but one down; the son is fled." (Act Three, Scene Three, line nineteen) Once again, he is the first to know something before the others do; this time it is the notice that Fleance escaped. The murderer had to be familiar with Fleance and Banquo to know all of this. Once again everything points to Macbeth.

It would have been fairly simple for Macbeth to pose as one of the murderers. After Lady Macbeth had gone downstairs, Macbeth could have changed his clothes or even slipped robes over the clothes he was currently wearing. Then, he snuck out, massacred Banquo, and arrived late for the supper. To fool the murderers, he could have forged his voice. Also, the murderers won't know who he was because his face would have been covered.

For various reasons, the writer believes that Macbeth was the third murderer. First, there was a motive for Macbeth to kill Banquo. The motive was Banquo could put a face on Macbeth as Duncan's murderer. Second, there was a time period were Macbeth was absent. Finally, the third murderer knew too much and was familiar with Banquo. Even though there is an ample amount of evidence that suggests that Macbeth was one of the murders, the true identity of the killer remains a mystery.