CP English 12
11.9.15 – 11.13.15
Due Thursday, November 12: Act III Study Guide (Questions are in the on-line classroom)
Monday, November 16: Test over Act s I - III
Key Themes in Macbeth

Fate versus free will

Appearance versus reality

The effect of guilt on the human mind

Blind ambition
How to Cite Shakespeare:
Citation : Act. Scene.Line
If citing more than one, line, use a slash but retain original punctuation
EXAMPLE:
Macbeth’s fear keeps him from planting the daggers as he cries, “I’ll go no more; / I am afraid to think what I have done;
(2.3.50,51).
Incorporate into a sentence:
Lady Macbeth says, “That which has made them drunk has made me bold” (2.2.1).
Use a colon with a full sentence to introduce the quote:
Lady Macbeth announces that her courage comes from the wine used to drug the chamberlains: “What has quenched them has
given me fire” (2.2.2).
Use part of a quote:
Lady Macbeth is “afraid they have awakened” (2.2.9).
Monday, November 9
Go over themes and how to incorporate quotes
Begin Act III
Tuesday, November 10
Act III
Wednesday, November 11
In-class essay: Themes of Macbeth
Thursday, November 12
Question review: Quiz, Act III
Friday, November
Discussion: Themes of Macbeth
NHS Assembly!
Study Guide Act III
Summary:
Banquo begins to suspect Macbeth for the murder of King Duncan and Macbeth in turn feels that Banquo will reveal that it was
he that killed the King. Therefore, Macbeth sends out some thugs to murder Banquo and his son, Fleance. Banquo is murdered,
but Fleance escapes.
Macbeth, Lady Macbeth, Lennox, Ross, and other lords attend a banquet. The ghost of Banquo presents itself to Macbeth.
Macbeth begins to rant and rave, making the other guests uneasy. Lady Macbeth tries to cover up the situation by saying
Macbeth is prone to fits. By the end of this Act, we learn that Macduff has not attended the banquet because he has gone to
England, looking for aid because he is suspicious of Macbeth.
Scene I
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
About how much time has elapsed since Act II. How can you tell?
What preparations are being made that night?
Why does Macbeth say that there is no one he fears but Banquo?
Explain in your own words the meaning of Macbeth’s “To be thus is nothing” soliloquy.
How does Macbeth get the two murderers to undertake Banquo’s killing?
Why do you think Macbeth is not satisfied to be king, but wants to be sure that Banquo’s
descendants will not succeed him?
Scenes 2-3
1. What goes wrong with the plot to murder Banquo and Fleance?
2. What is the first indication that Lady Macbeth is ill-at-ease about Duncan’s murder? Does
Macbeth seem to be feeling the same way? Explain.
3. Does Macbeth take Lady Macbeth into his confidence about the plot to murder Banquo? How
do you account for this?
Scene 4
1. According to lines 20-25, what keeps Macbeth from being “perfect”?
2. Explain the meaning of his speech, “blood will have blood” (line 122)
3. Who can see Banquo’s ghost at the banquet, and who cannot?
4. According to Macbeth, why does he not sit on his throne as Lady Macbeth does? What dramatic
purposes are served by having him sit among the guests?
5. How does Lady Macbeth attempt to cover up for Macbeth at the banquet? Do you think she
succeeds or makes the situation worse? Explain.
6. What two decisions does Macbeth make after the guests are gone? Has the appearance of
Banquo’s ghost apparently influence him at all in making them?
7. In some productions of Macbeth, Banquo’s ghost does not appear physically on the stage so
that the apparition is obviously a product of Macbeth’s mind. What would be gained by such an
approach? What would be lost?
Scene 5-6
1. Who is Hecate? What is she doing here?
2. In scene 6, Lennox summarizes the events. What hints does he give concerning Macbeth?
3. What dramatic purpose is served by scene 6?