Act 3 Scene 6 Flashcards
overview of act III scene vi
lennox and an unnamed lord discuss the state of affairs: malcolm is in england ; macduff has gone to join him ; and the English king is raising an army to fight against macbeth
purpose of this scene
- bridge scene between act 3 and act 4
What is the tone of Lennox’s speech in this scene?
- Sarcastic and ironic.
- He pretends to support Macbeth but actually hints at his guilt.
- Shows growing suspicion among the nobles.
how are leenox’s true feelings revealed?
- tone of monologue is sarcastic - he says duncan’s murder ‘did grieve macbeth!’ - he means the exact opposite
- he uses rhetorical questions - ‘to kill their gracious father!’ - he doesn’t believe that malcolm and donalbain murdered duncan
- lennox’s speech - full of exclamations such as ‘But, peace!’, ‘Damned fact!’
- shows how angry he is, but also hints that he is afraid to show his anger - his short, broken sentences suggest he is trying to hold back his emotions
Finish the quote: ‘Men must not walk too late…’
"’…who cannot want the thought how monstrous it was for Malcolm and for Donalbain to kill their gracious father?’”
‘Men must not walk too late… who cannot want the thought how monstrous it was for Malcolm and for Donalbain to kill their gracious father?’
”- Lennox sarcastically suggests that Banquo was foolish to go out at night.
- Scotland is unsafe
- Implies Macbeth is behind the murders.
- Highlights how absurd it is to believe Malcolm and Donalbain killed Duncan.”
Finish the quote: ‘And that well might advise him to a caution…’
"’…to hold what distance his wisdom can provide.’”
‘And that well might advise him to a caution, to hold what distance his wisdom can provide.’
- Lennox implies that Macduff is wise to stay away from Macbeth.
- Shows how dangerous Macbeth has become.
- Hints at Macduff’s growing opposition.
Finish the quote: ‘Some holy angel…’
"’…fly to the court of England and unfold his message ere he come.’”
‘Some holy angel fly to the court of England and unfold his message ere he come.’
- Lennox hopes Macduff will bring help from England.
- Shows that opposition to Macbeth is growing.
- Introduces the idea that divine justice may intervene.
What is the significance of Act 3, Scene 6?
- Reveals that people are starting to suspect Macbeth.
- Shows growing opposition, especially from Macduff.
- Prepares for the conflict between Macbeth and the forces gathering against him.
How does this scene develop the theme of tyranny vs. justice?
- Macbeth is seen as a tyrant, ruling through fear and violence.
- Macduff represents justice by seeking help to overthrow Macbeth.
- Lennox’s sarcasm highlights how people are afraid to speak openly.
How does this scene foreshadow Macbeth’s downfall?
- The nobles are turning against him.
- Macduff’s alliance with England suggests an upcoming battle.
- Macbeth’s rule is unstable, setting the stage for rebellion.
How does Shakespeare use dramatic irony in this scene?
- Lennox speaks in a sarcastic tone, pretending to support Macbeth while actually mocking him.
- The audience knows that Macbeth is guilty, but some characters still speak cautiously.
- Hints that Macbeth’s lies are starting to fall apart.
how does the scene end?
- lennox ends the scene by sending a message to the English court to free them from the ‘hand accursed’ - this builds the tension because it becomes a question of how far macbeth will go before he is stopped
- audience sees that macbeth’s death is inevitable and the only way to restore peace to scotland
why did shakespeare write this scene in the perspective of minor characters?
to develop the feeling of unrest in scotland
