Macbeth Act 3

Question 0

What hope does Banquo have for the future?

Answer 0

His children will be kings

Question 1

What does Banquo suspect at this point?

Answer 1

Macbeth has become king dishonestly bybeing instrument of Duncan’s death

Question 2

Why has Banquo remained silent about his suspicion?

Answer 2

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.

Question 3

Why is Macbeth so interested in Banquo’s plans to ride?

Answer 3

He is plotting Banquo’s death

Question 4

What does Macbeth mean by the words–

“To be thus is nothing, But to be safely thus.”

Answer 4

to be king is worth nothing unless his crown is secure

Question 5

What does Macbeth mean by the words?

“Upon my head they placed a fruitless crown”

Answer 5

He knows he will not pass on his title. According to the witches predictions Banquo’s descendants will reign

Question 6

When Macbeth meets with the murderers, how does he convince them to strike against Banquo?

Answer 6

He convinces them that their miserable life is Banquo’s fault

Question 7

Why are these 2 men willing to do Macbeth’s dirty work?

Answer 7

They are desperate and have nothing to lose

Question 8

What plan does Macbeth devise for the murderers?

Answer 8

The murderers are to ambush Banquo as he walks back the last mile to the castle

Question 9

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”

Answer 9

Meaning – it is better to be dead like Duncan than to live in constant fear of being exposed for their crime

Question 10

In Scene 2, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth discuss their present situation. What is meant by –
– Macbeth – “We have scotched the snake, not killed it”

Answer 10

In killing Duncan, they have only partially achieved their goal bc their situation is so insecure

Question 11

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.”

Answer 11

He is tormented by al the uncertainty and danger – wants to eliminate Banquo and his son

Question 12

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”

Answer 12

She suggests they should be dead

Question 13

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”

Answer 13

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

Question 14

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?

Answer 14

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

Question 15

How does Macbeth’s plan for Banquo fail?

Answer 15

Fleance escapes

Question 16

What news does the 1st murderer bring to Macbeth during the banquet?

Answer 16

Banquo is dead with his throat cut and 20 gashes in his head, but Fleance had escaped

Question 17

How does Macbeth react to the 1st murderer?

Answer 17

Upset and then says Fleance is too young to cause trouble now

Question 18

To whom does Macbeth address the following: “Thou canst not say I did it. Never shake Thy gory locks at me.”

Answer 18

Banquo’s ghost

Question 19

What is ironic about the appearance of Banquo’s ghost?

Answer 19

Macbeth sees it every time he mentions Banquo’s absence

Question 20

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”?

Answer 20

She says this is another one of Macbeth’s hallucinations – just like the dagger, and tries to shake him out of his fear

Question 21

What excuses Does Lady Macbeth give for Macbeth’s strange behavior?

Answer 21

He has a disease that he has had since childhood that causes him to behave irrationally

Question 22

How does Lady Macbeth act to protect Macbeth from completely divulging his guilt?

Answer 22

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

Question 23

Macbeth – “It will have blood. They say blood will have blood”

Answer 23

Murder leads to more murder to cover up their guilt

Question 24

Macbeth – “We are yet but young in deed”

Answer 24

He has many more murders in mind

Question 25

What precaution has Macbeth taken in regard to Macduff?

Answer 25

he has placed a spy in his castle

Question 26

Who is Hecate?

Answer 26

Queen of the Witches

Question 27

Why is she so angry?

Answer 27

Her 3 witches have meddled in Macbeth’s life without her permission and she does not even like Macbeth

Question 28

What plan does se reveal?

Answer 28

She will spend all night gathering all the forces to confuse Macbeth so he will bring about his own destruction

Question 29

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–

Answer 29

Fleance is suspected of killing his father bc he ran away

Question 30

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 –

Answer 30

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

Question 31

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 –

Answer 31

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