Name____________________________ Block ______Date__________ Unit: Shakespeare/Macbeth
The Tragedy of Macbeth by William Shakespeare—ACT III
Read the drama The Tragedy of Macbeth by William Shakespeare. Then, reread the lines indicated
with each question below. Answer each question, citing text evidence.
1.
Sc. 1, Lines 1–10: What specific dialogue supports the idea that Banquo is hopeful about the prediction
of the Weird Women?
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2. Sc. 1, Line 3: Consider what you have learned about Banquo’s suspicions about Macbeth. Identify and
explain Banquo’s tone as he addresses Macbeth.
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3. Sc. 1, Lines 15–18: Explain what double meaning might be intended by Banquo’s statement that his
“duties/ Are with a most indissoluble tie/ Forever knit.”
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4. Sc. 1, Lines 29–71: What is an example of irony in Macbeth’s dialogue in lines 29–35?
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5. Sc. 1, Lines 29–71: What evidence in Macbeth’s soliloquy (lines 47–71) explains Macbeth’s assessment of
Banquo? What is revealed about Macbeth’s character?
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6. Sc. 1, Lines 65–71: What theme is developed in these lines?
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7. Sc. 1, Lines 71–104: Explain how the state directions and dialogue further the action of the plot.
Compare the nature of the First Murderer’s dialogue to Macbeth’s.
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8. Sc. 1, Lines 104–123: Scan the meter in lines 115–122 and identify the meter. Then change the sentence
structure of the following line: “And though I could/ With barefaced power sweep him from my sight.”
Restructure the sentence so that it sounds more like usual speech. Then scan the restructured lines.
How does Shakespeare’s use of inverted sentence structure affect iambic pentameter?
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9. Sc. 1, Lines 114–139: How does the planning of this murder differ from the planning of Duncan’s murder?
How does the change signal a change in Macbeth’s character, a deepening of his tragic flaw?
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10. Sc. 1, Lines 133–136: Examine Macbeth’s dialogue and explain the reason Macbeth gives for ordering
Fleance killed in these lines. Explain the real reason Macbeth wants Fleance dead.
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11. Sc. 2, Lines 11–27: What animal imagery does Macbeth use? What does he mean by “scorched the snake,
not killed it”? In what way is the image of the snake ironic, coming from Macbeth?
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12. Sc. 2, Lines 29–34: What instruction does Macbeth give to Lady Macbeth with regard to speaking about
Banquo? Which phrase suggests they should hide their true feelings? What does Lady’s Macbeth’s
comment in line 34 tell the reader about the difference between Macbeth’s words and the way he
might be acting?
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13. Sc. 2, Lines 51–52: Explain how Macbeth describes the ending of day. Which words describe the images
of predators and prey? What might “black agents” refer to? How does this imagery contribute to the
overall mood of Scene 2?
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14. Sc. 4, Lines 9–23: What evidence in Macbeth’s conversation with the Murderer in these lines reveals
Macbeth’s abrupt change in tone and attitude regarding the events surrounding Banquo’s murder?
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15. Sc. 4, Lines 21–25: Which sentences are spoken by Macbeth as an aside? How can you tell where the
aside begins and ends?
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16. Sc. 4, Lines 21–25: Point out and analyze the words Macbeth uses to indicate his feelings about the
news of Fleance.
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17. Sc. 4, Line 26: What does Macbeth mean when he uses the word safe to describe the plan?
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18. Sc. 4, Lines 53–68: Describe what Lady Macbeth tells her guests about Macbeth’s outburst. What
evidence supports the dramatic irony that Lady Macbeth believes Macbeth’s fears are still about
Duncan?
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19. Sc. 4, Lines 74–96: Contrast the way the guests at the table would interpret Macbeth’s lines to the way
the audience would interpret them.
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20. Sc. 4, Lines 136–138: Which words indicate that Macbeth has gone too far in his quest for power? Which
theme is being developed in this scene?
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21. Sc. 5, Lines 136–138: What is the setting? What words does Hecate use that establish a particular mood?
What are examples of Hecate’s use of rhyme? What is the rhyme scheme? How does this rhyme scheme,
a departure from the usual iambic pentameter, affect the mood of the passage?
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22. Sc. 6, Lines 1–39: Paraphrase Lennox’s speech. Describe Lennox’s attitude toward Macbeth.
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23. Sc. 6, Lines 5–7: What is the specific, literal meaning of the lines “Banquo walked too late” and “men
must not walk too late”? Also explain the figurative meaning.
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24. Sc. 6, Lines 29–34: What has life in Scotland under Macbeth been like? How do some noblemen plan to
put an end to Macbeth’s rule?
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