Macbeth
By William Shakespeare
Act III – Study Guide
ACT III – SCENE I
Macbeth is now King of Scotland.
1. What does Banquo review to us in his opening speech?
In their conversation Macbeth learns that Banquo is going on a mission
and Fleance (Banquo’s son) will be going with him. Macbeth wishes
Banquo a safe trip and tells him be sure to return in time for the coronation
feast that evening. Macbeth is again left with his thoughts –Lines 47 – 71
comprise the third of Macbeth’s four soliloquies in the play. This one
shows his uneasy state of mind and his determination to thwart or block
the witches’ prophecy that Banquo will be the father of kings.
2. COMPLET THE FOLLOWING PARAPHRASE OF MACBETH’S
SOLILOQUY BY FILLING IN THE BLANKS.
To be king means nothing unless I am secure in the position. I
have deep _______________________ about Banquo and his
________________________________ Banquo is not only daring and
courageous, but he has ____________________ to guide him to act
in _________________. Banquo is the only one I _________ and my
own ____________________ (conscience) is
________________________ (scolded) by him just as _____________
________________________ was by Caesar. He challenged the
________________________ when they put the name of
________________________ upon me, and told them to ___________
_______________________; then they like a _____________ hailed
_______________________ as the father to _____________________
_______________. The ___________________ said that I would
become _______________, but have no successor of my own blood. If
this is true, then I have defiled my _____________, murdered
the _________________ __________________ disturbed all of my
______________ and my _______________ _______________ (soul) I
have given to the common __________________ ______ __________
(devil). I did all of this to make way for the __________________ of
___________________ to be kings ______________. Rather than let
that happen I will fight against _______________________ (witches’
prophecy) to the death!
Macbeth proceeds to hire some murderers to attack and kill Banquo and
his son, Fleance, on the road.
ACT III – SCENE II
Lady Macbeth emerges as a lonely, pathetic figure. She no longer takes
a lead in making plans; her husband now assumes that role. Her close
relationship with Macbeth no longer exists. (She knows nothing of
Macbeth’s plans to murder Banquo and Fleance.) Macbeth has become
a prisoner of evil who suffers from the fear of discovery by day and the
torments of nightmares by night. The ill-gotten crown has brought only
mental anguish to Macbeth and Lady Macbeth.
1. Quote the lines that show that Macbeth and Lady Macbeth have
reversed roles in their relationship as compared to Act I when King
Duncan’s murder was planned.
2. What do you think Macbeth means when he says: “Things bad begun
make strong themselves by ill.”?
ACT III - SCENE III
1. What went wrong with Macbeth’s plot to have Banquo and Fleance
murdered?
2. How does this relate to the witches’ prophecy?
ACT III - SCENE IV
1. What ironic event marks the climax of this play?
2. What two things does Macbeth now plan to do? Why?
a)
b)
ACT III - SCENE V
1. How does this scene reveal Macduff as the possible nemesis of
Macbeth?