In Act III, Scene I, Macbeth is beginning to feel the effects of his newly acquired power. His attitude is one of smug satisfaction at being crowned and he is planning a banquet, which is both the high point of his time as king and the beginning of his descent into madness.
In his speech in this scene, he shares conversation with Banquo about the two murderers, referring to Malcolm and Donalbain.
"We hear our bloody cousins are be-
stow'd
In England and in Ireland, not confessing
Their cruel parricide, filling their hearers"
Act III, Scene I
After dismissing Banquo, jealousy pours out of Macbeth at the fact that he has no son. He is projecting his kingdom into the future and sees nothing but Banquo's heirs on the throne.
"Upon my head they plac'd a fruitless crown,
And put a barren sceptre in my gripe,
Thence to be wrench'd with an unlineal hand,
No son of mine succeeding. If't be so,
For Banquo's issue have I fil'd my mind;
For them the gracious Duncan have I murder'd;" Act III, Scene I
He works himself into a raging fury as he interrogates two men he has summoned to kill Banquo and Fleance. The speech is particularly sad, because Macbeth is losing touch with his humanity. He is cutting ties with his very dear friend Banquo and succumbing to a false sense of power that demands he protect his crown, as if he could fend off every possible threat by murder.
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