ACT 3 Study Questions
Scene 1
1) What is Banquo’s opening soliloquy about? Please translate it line by line.
-Banquo is worried that Macbeth has done something horrible to or to acquire Duncan’s throne and his death.
Line 1 –You (talking about Macbeth) are thane of Cawdor, Glamis, and King
Line 2 - You have everything the witches predicted you would, I fear
Line 3 – That you did a horrible deed for it, However
Line 4 – Despite what you did, your kids won’t be Kings
Line 5 – But I will have sons and descendants
Line 6 - Who will be Kings. If the Witches were truthful
Line 7 – There predictions seem favorable to you
Line 8 – And they seem to have come true for you
Line 9 – I hope the witches don’t tell my future
Line 10 – Because then I would hope (implication of hoping leads to destruction) But people are coming, I will be quiet
2) Why does Macbeth wish Banquo dead (name at least 2 reasons)—look at his speech in lines 50-76?
-He fears/knows Banquo is more intelligent and cunning than him
-He is jealous that Banquo will become the father of Kings, while he shall not
3) What is significant about the following quote, “For them the gracious Duncan I have murder;/ Put rancors in the vessel of my peace/ only for them,”
-Macbeth acknowledges that he feels bad for murdering Duncan. This is significant because he states that he killed Duncan for not himself, which is a bit of a lie, and he wants more than what the witches predicted. He has killed for Banquo;s sons. Banquo and his kin, not Macbeth will reap the rewards.
-Macbeth is angry that Banquo will win, though he has payed
4) How does Macbeth convince the murders?
-He says that Banquo is both their enemies
-He asks them is they are so good as to simply forget that Banquo has wronged them
-He also says that everyone finds peace in death
Scene 2
1) What is significant about the quote, “We have scotched the snake not killed it./ She’ll close and be herself, whilst our poor malice/ remains in danger of the former tooth.” What does Macbeth mean?
-Macbeth means that by getting rid of Duncan they have only started to achieve their goal of ruling and power. Now Macbeth’s ambitions have stretched beyond what they originally were. He has gotten a taste of the power and wants more. He is also getting paranoid that everyone suspects him, so he wants to eliminate them before they can get to him. Lady Macbeth thinks he is being ridiculous and is happy being queen
2) Why does Macbeth tell his wife, “Be innocent of the knowledge dearest chuck,/ till thou applaud the deed.”?
-He wants to surprise her with what he has done
-I suspect, with the recent character shift/change, that he is thankful for the …encouragement…. Lady Macbeth gave him
3) What is significant in the quote, “Come, seeling night, Scarf up the tender eye of pitiful day,/ and with bloody and invisible hand/ cancel and tear to pieces that great bond/ which keeps me pale.” What is Macbeth saying and what is the great bond?
-Macbeth is trying to keep his deeds hidden and wants to be rid of the friendship he feels for Banquo
4) Explain the symbolism of crows, night and sleep in this scene. What does it suggest?
-Macbeth is no longer interested in fair play and is not sated with the crown, he wants more
-This is reflected by night, as magic, darkness, and foul things (overt ambition) are seen as happening in the night
-Crows are signs of ill omen because they are scavengers and often their pray is they dead, they often occupy battlefields after war. They will be a foreshadow for murder and death
-They are a symbol of the murderers
-Sleep is a symbol for death
Scene 3
1) What happens in this scene? What is botched?
-The three murderers kill Banquo as he comes into the stables, walking his horse for a cool down.
-Fleance is with him, but he escaped and the murderers have failed in half their duty
Scene 4
1) What event is most important in this scene?
-When Banquo’s ghost appears and Macbeth has a freakout in the middle of a feast
2) Why does Macbeth say, “There the grown serpent lies; the worm that’s fled/ hath nature that in time will venom breed,/ no teeth for the present.” What is he talking about? Who is he talking about?
-Fleance will want revenge for his father and will become a powerful enemy, but right now he is not worth the trouble of going after him
3) What is significant about Banquo’s ghost? What does it suggest? How does Macbeth react to it? Is it real or in Macbeth’s mind?
-Macbeth is now either dillusional or more magic is coming out to play
-He is very frightened and tells the ghost to be gone with almost panic. This suggests that he is both guilty and worried about the situation. He also completely believes in the power of the ghosts and witches and therefore in magic
-I think that the ghost is most likely real, but it only wants to haunt Macbeth because it knows he was behind his murder
4) Discuss how blood is used in this scene? What does it symbolize?
-Blood is used to represent murder and Macbeth’s guilt.
-Besides Macbeth’s guilt, it represents the evidence left behind after a deed that evokes guilt is completed
5) How does Lady Macbeth react to Macbeth’s visions?
-She thinks that his conscience is getting the better of him and he is being overwhelmed by his guilt and
-She tells the rest of the guests that he has always had these little panic attacks/freakouts/illness and that nothing is out of normal
Scene 5
1) Most critics think this scene was placed into Macbeth by a different/later author (someone other Shakespeare). Do you agree or not? Why?
-I would agree that this scene was placed in the play by someone else. My reasoning/conclusion is that Shakespeare may feature certain characters, like the old man, randomly, but he does not hint that they ar coming. He hints that the witches are servants/vessels/subjects of Hecate, so why would he need to blatantly show this? Shakespeare is usually a tad more subtle than that.
Scene 6
1) What does Lennox say in this scene about Fleance and Banquo?
-Banquo was in the wrong place at the wrong time, and some say was murdered by his son, Fleance. However, Lennox give an undertone that he doesn’t believe Fleance killed his father exemplified by the line “whom you MAY say”
2) What would have happened to Duncan's sons if Macbeth had them under lock and key?
-They would be accused and found guilty of Murder of their father, Duncan
3) Where did MacDuff go?
-To Northumberland to collect their support in order to restore peace/rightness to the land. IE raise an army to go against Macbeth
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