Identity Revealed

Sensational murder scandals are often portrayed in the media as open-and-closed cases with one victim and one defendant. However, real-world legal cases prove this rarely tends to be the case. In William Shakespeare’s Macbeth, the title character hires two men to kill Banquo and his young son, Fleance; however, within minutes prior to the killing, they are joined by a third, unidentified man, one of many potential candidates who may have a vested interest in Banquo’s and Fleance’s deaths. After examination of the facts, Macbeth is implied to be the third murderer. First, this anonymous person knows exactly where and when to meet the other two, information that no one else possesses. Furthermore, the third murderer has significant knowledge regarding Banquo’s behaviour and tendencies. Most significantly, Macbeth is absent at the start of his own celebratory feast and enters the room only moments before the first murderer arrives to report that Banquo is dead.

To begin, the third murderer seemingly appears from nowhere, knowing exactly when and where the first two men are meeting. After Macbeth meets with the other killers in his palace, he convinces them to attack Banquo; during this time, the three men are secluded with no chance of being overheard. After Macbeth is assured of the murderers’ loyalty he tells them, “Within this hour at most / I will advise you where to plant yourselves, / Acquaint you with the perfect spy o’ th’ time, / The moment on ‘t; for ‘t must be done tonight” (III.i. 148-151). The mental states of the other murderers allow Macbeth to easily influence them; both men do not care what happens to their lives. They have nothing to lose by performing Macbeth’s bidding, but everything to gain. Due to tim...

... middle of paper ...

... murderers reports to Macbeth; during the interval between the killing and the feast, there is time for Macbeth to return to his palace and wash prior to welcoming his guests. Evidently, Macbeth’s absence during the time of Banquo’s murder implies Macbeth is the third murderer.

In summation, Macbeth is Banquo’s third murderer. Macbeth is absent from his own coronation feast for several hours during the time of Banquo’s killing. Moreover, the third man seems intimately familiar with Banquo’s habits and tendencies. Finally, the third assassin knows exactly when and where to find Banquo and the other two murderers, information that no one else possesses. By straying from prototypical murder scenarios, Shakespeare heightens the appeal of his play. Effective theatre must challenge, intrigue, and entertain the audience, since without the audience there is no theatre.