Renaissance: Act III Macbeth (by William Shakespeare)
Act Three Summary: Macbeth—now king—invites Banquo to a state banquet. When alone, he confesses his
suspicion of Banquo and arranges for the murder of Banquo and Fleance. Banquo dies, but Fleance escapes. At
the banquet, Macbeth believes that he sees Banquo’s ghost, and he reacts with horror. Lady Macbeth makes
excuses for his behavior and dismisses the guests. Macbeth then meets with the witches, who, with Hecate, have
planned his destruction. Meanwhile, in England, Macduff and Malcolm build an army against Macbeth.
Background: The Great Chain of Being
In the minds of Shakespeare and his audience, everything in the universe had a place in the Great Chain of
Being, a hierarchy of creation. God was at the top; in descending order followed the categories of angels,
human beings, animals, plants, and rocks. These categories contained hierarchies, as well. In talking to the
murderers, Macbeth says that they are in the category of human beings, just as all dogs belong to one
category (Act 3, scene 1, lines 91–94). However, just as there is a hierarchy of dogs within their category, so
there is of human beings—and the murderers are at the lowest rank in that category (Act 3, scene 1, lines 101–
102).
1. Reread lines 1–10 (Act 3, scene 1), in which Banquo hopes the witches’ predictions for him will come true
as they have for Macbeth. Why might Banquo want to hide his thoughts from Macbeth?
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2. In lines 1–13 (Act 3, scene 1), what does Banquo express as his ambition? Does he seem willing to do
anything to fulfill it? Explain.
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3. In lines 15–18 (Act 3, scene 1), Banquo says he is duty bound to serve the king. Find evidence to support
the claim that Banquo’s tone is coldly ironic.
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4. In lines 48–56 (Act 3, scene 1), how does Macbeth characterize Banquo?
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5. Does Macbeth have a valid reason to be fearful of Banquo? Explain.
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6. Macbeth is the king, so why doesn’t he just order Banquo’s murder?
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7. What does Macbeth’s reasoning suggest about his character?
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8. How has Macbeth changed since the beginning of the play? Explain.
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9. In lines 4–19 (Act 3, scene 2), how do the couple’s words show that achieving an ambition may not
automatically bring satisfaction?
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10. Compare Lady Macbeth’s brief soliloquy in lines 4–7 (Act 3, scene 2) with what she says to Macbeth in
lines 8–12.
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11. Why do you think she wants to conceal her real feelings from her husband?
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12. What metaphor does Macbeth use to describe his present situation?
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13. Why is this comparison ironic?
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14. How do lines 30-34 (Act 3, scene 2) reflect the theme of appearance vs. reality?
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15. What is the importance of scene 3?
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16. Explain the symbolism of Banquo’s ghost taking the seat of the king (line 46).
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17. What suggests that Macbeth is hallucinating (about Banquo’s ghost)?
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18. In Act 3, scene 4, lines 53–58, Lady Macbeth tells her guests to pay no attention to her husband’s fit. Why is
the situation ironic?
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19. Explain the irony of Macbeth’s remark “Would he [Banquo] were here!” in line 91 (Act 3, scene 4).
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20. By the end of Act 3, scene 4, what does Macbeth think will happen because of Banquo’s death?
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21. How could Macbeth be characterized at this point? Cite evidence.
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22. How do Macbeth’s actions so far in the play suggest that he would not be a successful king?
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23. Reread lines 23–33 (Act 3, scene 5). How does Hecate reveal herself to be Macbeth’s antagonist?
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24. According to the lord speaking in lines 24–39 (Act 3, scene 6), how does Macduff hope to put an end to
Macbeth’s ambition?
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25. Compare and contrast Duncan’s murder in Act Two with that of Banquo in Act Three. What does Banquo’s
murder suggest about how Macbeth has been affected by his first crime?
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