Act III, scene iii
Surprisingly, a third murderer shows up, presumably since Macbeth didn't trust just the two. But some interesting details come into play. This third guy's first word is "Macbeth." He hears horses before the others (and Macbeth seemed to have keen hearing recently). He knows Banquo's habits (III.iii.12), then catches himself and backpedals: "So all men do" (III.iii.13). He recognizes Banquo before the others (III.iii.14) and asks, "Who did strike out the light?" (III.iii.19) -- reminiscent of Claudius in Hamlet at a moment of guilt, and of Othello. The third murderer is the one to be concerned, or worse, at Fleance's escape (III.iii.20). So, although most productions fill this role with one of Macbeth's henchment, is this Macbeth himself, micromanaging further?
So? Compelling or no? Logistically it seems (though we know him to be crazy fast on his horse) impossible, but why might Shakespeare have added these parallels during the murder?
