By the time of the banquet scene, Macbeth has
taken the two major steps necessary for the achieve-
ment of his goal. This action and the simultaneous
increase of tension are known technically as the
rising action of the play. Rising action builds toward
a climax, the dramatic highpoint, or point of great-
est tension in the play. All action after the climax is
referred to as the falling action, or resolution, of
the play. Reread the banquet scene (Scene 4). Why
is it the climax, or turning point, of Macbeth?