The SL(3,C)-character variety of the figure eight knot

We give explicit equations that describe the character variety of the figure eight knot for the groups SL(3,C), GL(3,C) and PGL(3,C). This has five components of dimension 2, one consisting of totally reducible representations, another one consisting of partially reducible representations, and three components of irreducible representations. Of these, one is distinguished as it contains the curve of irreducible representations coming from $Sym^2:SL(2,C) \to SL(3,C)$. The other two components are induced by exceptional Dehn fillings of the figure eight knot. We also describe the action of the symmetry group of the figure eight knot on the character varieties.