Macbeth's Inner Conflict

In Act III of this play, Macbeth has taken the throne however he is still uneasy. Macbeth still believes that in order to prevent his throne from being taken from him, he must murder his companion Banquo and his son Fleance (Fleance being the one in the prophecy who is supposed to become king some day). When telling his wife that the deed has been done he displays a sense of fearlessness yet, despite his displays of fearlessness, Macbeth is full of guilt and doubt, which he expresses when he makes reference to the “scorpions” in his mind and in his declaration that in killing Banquo they “have scorched the snake, not killed it.” This inner conflict that Macbeth has is almost ironic due to the fact that becoming king is supposed to bring happiness and virtue. Instead, the throne has brought nothing but guilt and a series of sleepless nights.