<Dd> To the direction just . </Dd> <P> The Third Murderer knows Banquo typically walks from the palace gate at this time . After the murder of Banquo, the Third Murderer asks "Who did strike out the light?" and concludes Fleance has escaped: "There's but one down; the son is fled ." Altogether, the Third Murderer has six lines, almost all very brief, with the only long one showing "a suspicious familiarity with Banquo's habits". </P> <P> Much of the discussion of the Third Murderer has centred on the character's identity, although the character may only be an extra . In 1929, Professor Theodore Halbert Wilson said the question of who the character is always provoked interested debate among his students . </P> <P> In 1869, author Allan Park Paton advanced the argument that Macbeth personally served as the Third Murderer . Paton argued the successful killings of Banquo and Fleance were personally important to Macbeth, and that while the banquet that night was scheduled to start at 7 pm, Macbeth did not appear until midnight . Paton believes the Third Murderer extinguished a light to avoid recognition, and later, Macbeth tells Banquo's ghost that "In yon black struggle you could never know me ." </P>

Who is the third murderer what is the purpose of the third murderer provide support for your opinion