St. Francis Prep
Giknis
English 10
Macbeth Act Three Review Notes
1. 3.1: The palace at Forres
a. Banquo’s concerns
i. “I fear, thou play’dst most foully for ’t” (3.1.1-2).
b. Macbeth’s soliloquy
i. “To be thus is nothing…” (3.1.50)
1. Wants not only crown, but safety and for his descendants to be
kings.
2. “If it be so, for Banquo’s issue have I filed my mind, for them
the gracious Duncan have I murdered” (3.1.64).
c. Entrance of and conversation with two murderers
i. “Know that it was he in the times past which held you so under
fortune” (3.1.78).
ii. “Are you so gospeled to pray for this good man and for his issue,
whose heavy hand hath bowed you to the grave and beggared yours
forever?” (3.1.90).
iii. “Both of you know Banquo was your enemy” (3.1.115).
iv. “I am one, my liege, whom the vile blows and buffets of the world
hath so incensed that I am reckless what I do to spite the world”
(3.1.110).”
1. Motivations for these men
2. Purpose of giving secondary motivations
3. Why doesn’t Macbeth, as king, just order Banquo killed?
a. 3.1.119-124
d. Conclude scene with Macbeth giving order that Fleance must also be killed,
along with Banquo.
i. “Fleance, his son, that keeps him company…must embrace the fate of
that dark hour” (3.1.138).
2. 3.2: The palace at Forres
a. Lady Macbeth is distressed by what has occurred—the unraveling has
begun.
i. “’Tis safer to be that which we destroy than by destruction dwell in
doubtful joy” (3.2.9).
St. Francis Prep
Giknis
English 10
ii. But notice she keeps on a strong face for her husband
b. Macbeth also expresses the same concerns as his wife
i. “Better be with the dead…than on the torture of the mind to lie in
restless ecstasy” (3.2.20)
c. Macbeth indicates that Lady Macbeth doesn’t know of his scheme to kill
Banquo.
i. “Be innocent of the knowledge, dearest chuck, till though applaud the
deed” (3.2.45).
3. 3.3: A park near the palace
a. Murder of Banquo
i. Arrival of third murderer, unexpected by the other two
ii. Fleance escapes
1. Implications and significance of this
4. 3.4: Hall in the palace. A banquet prepared.
a. Macbeth is informed of the murderers’ progress
i. “I had else been perfect…but now I am cabined, cribbed, and
confined, bound in to saucy doubts and fears” (3.4.22-25).
ii. “There [in a ditch, dead] the grown serpent lies. The worm that’s fled
hath nature that in time will venom breed, no teeth for the present”
(3.4.30).
b. Enter Ghost of Banquo
i. A hallucination or a true ghost, unknown
ii. “Thou canst not say I did it. Never shake thy gory locks at me”
(3.4.50).
c. Lady Macbeth’s reaction
i. “My lord is often thus, and hath been from his youth…If much you
note him, you shall offend him and extend his passion” (3.4.55-58).
ii. “Shame itself! Why do you make such faces? When all’s done, you
look but on a stool” (3.4.66-67).
d. The return of the ghost
i. “Approach like the rugged Russian bear, the armed rhinoceros, or the
Hyrcan tiger. Take any shape but that and my firm nerves shall never
tremble” (3.4.100-101).
e. Macbeth and Lady Macbeth
St. Francis Prep
Giknis
English 10
i. Macbeth notices Macduff’s absence
1. “How say’st thou that Macduff denies his person at our great
bidding?” (3.4.127).
ii. Macbeth feels he must take action
1. “It will have blood. They say blood will have blood” (3.4.123).
2. Macduff is concerning him
3. He isn’t sure where to turn, so he resolves to go to the witches
a. “I will tomorrow…to the weird sisters. More shall they
speak; for now I am bent to know, by the worst means, the
worst. For mine own good all causes shall give way. I am
in blood stepped in so far that should I wade no more,
returning were as tedious as go o’er” (3.4.133-137).
5. Skip 3.5-3.6