Macbeth Act 3 Flashcards
What hope does Banquo have for the future?
His children will be kings
What does Banquo suspect at this point?
Macbeth has become king dishonestly bybeing instrument of Duncan’s death
Why has Banquo remained silent about his suspicion?
He must be cautious bc of the danger of accusing the king. He may just want the prophecy of his children becoming king to come true.
Why is Macbeth so interested in Banquo’s plans to ride?
He is plotting Banquo’s death
What does Macbeth mean by the words–
“To be thus is nothing, But to be safely thus.”
to be king is worth nothing unless his crown is secure
What does Macbeth mean by the words?
“Upon my head they placed a fruitless crown”
He knows he will not pass on his title. According to the witches predictions Banquo’s descendants will reign
When Macbeth meets with the murderers, how does he convince them to strike against Banquo?
He convinces them that their miserable life is Banquo’s fault
Why are these 2 men willing to do Macbeth’s dirty work?
They are desperate and have nothing to lose
What plan does Macbeth devise for the murderers?
The murderers are to ambush Banquo as he walks back the last mile to the castle
In Scene 2 Macbeth and Lady Macbeth discuss their present situation. What is meant by –
– Lady Macbeth – “Naught’s bad, all’s spent; Where pur desire is got without content; Tis safer to be that which we destroy; Than by destruction dwell in doubtful joy”
Meaning – it is better to be dead like Duncan than to live in constant fear of being exposed for their crime
In Scene 2, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth discuss their present situation. What is meant by –
– Macbeth – “We have scotched the snake, not killed it”
In killing Duncan, they have only partially achieved their goal bc their situation is so insecure
In Scene 2, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth discuss their present situation. What is meant by –
– Macbeth – “Oh, full of scorpions is my mind, dear wife.; thou know’st that Banquo, and his Fleance lives.”
He is tormented by al the uncertainty and danger – wants to eliminate Banquo and his son
In Scene 2, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth discuss their present situation. What is meant by –
– Lady Macbeth – “But in them nature’s copy’s not eterne”
She suggests they should be dead
In Scene 2, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth discuss their present situation. What is meant by –
– Macbeth – “Be innocent of the knowledge, dearest chuck; Till thou applaud the deed”
Macbeth does not intend to involve Lady Macbeth in his murder plans for Banquo and his son – very different from Duncan when she engineered the whole thing
One of the great puzzles of the play is the appearance of the 3rd murderer in Scene 3. What are some interpretations of this character?
a- It could be someone sent by Macbeth to spy on the 1st 2
b- It could be Macbeth himself
c- It could be someone sent by the witches to assure Fleance’s escape
How does Macbeth’s plan for Banquo fail?
Fleance escapes
What news does the 1st murderer bring to Macbeth during the banquet?
Banquo is dead with his throat cut and 20 gashes in his head, but Fleance had escaped
How does Macbeth react to the 1st murderer?
Upset and then says Fleance is too young to cause trouble now
To whom does Macbeth address the following: “Thou canst not say I did it. Never shake Thy gory locks at me.”
Banquo’s ghost
What is ironic about the appearance of Banquo’s ghost?
Macbeth sees it every time he mentions Banquo’s absence
What does Lady Macbeth mean by the words “This is very painting of you fear; This is the air-drawn dagger which you said; Led you to Duncan”?
She says this is another one of Macbeth’s hallucinations – just like the dagger, and tries to shake him out of his fear
What excuses Does Lady Macbeth give for Macbeth’s strange behavior?
He has a disease that he has had since childhood that causes him to behave irrationally
How does Lady Macbeth act to protect Macbeth from completely divulging his guilt?
At 1st, she says to ignore him and not speak of the scene or it will upset him more – then when it gets worse she tells the guest to leave at once
Macbeth – “It will have blood. They say blood will have blood”
Murder leads to more murder to cover up their guilt
Macbeth – “We are yet but young in deed”
He has many more murders in mind
What precaution has Macbeth taken in regard to Macduff?
he has placed a spy in his castle
Who is Hecate?
Queen of the Witches
Why is she so angry?
Her 3 witches have meddled in Macbeth’s life without her permission and she does not even like Macbeth
What plan does se reveal?
She will spend all night gathering all the forces to confuse Macbeth so he will bring about his own destruction
Scene 6 is important in that it reveals events which have occured off stage and info the audience needs to know. Explain what is related concerning:
– Banquo’s murder–
Fleance is suspected of killing his father bc he ran away
Scene 6 is important in that it reveals events which have occured off stage and info the audience needs to know. Explain what is related concerning:
– Malcolm’s Whereabouts –
Malcolm is now in England receiving the aid of King Edward who has promised to send troops to fight Macbeth and take back the throne
Scene 6 is important in that it reveals events which have occured off stage and info the audience needs to know. Explain what is related concerning:
– Macduff’s position –
Macduff has openly defies Macbeth and refused to come pledge his loyalty when Macbeth sent for him and now Macduff has gone to England to join forces with Malcolm
