1. What does the reader/audience learn from Banquo’s soliloquy? (3.1.1-10)
Banquo is afraid Macbeth has killed Duncan. “I fear thou play’dst most foully for’t.”(2-3)
Suspicious of how he became King.
2. What does Macbeth mean by “fruitless crown”? (3.1.66)
“fruitless crown” – his seeds won’t be passed down. Goes back to witches prophecy for Banquo,
“shall get kings, but be none​”
3. How does the planning of Banquo’s murder compare with that of Duncan’s murder?
Determined, plotted himself, Macbeth doesn’t consult lady m, he talks to the murderers on his
own and is trying to push ​ambition​ in them as Lady did to him with Duncan. Connect to theme
ambition and betrayal
4. How does Macbeth motivate the murderers? Hint: Macbeth uses the same technique
that Lady Macbeth used on him. Quote the lines where he does this.
To motivate the murderers, Macbeth uses the same technique Lady Macbeth used on him: he
insults their manhood
M-“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?
Murderers: We are men my liege
M-Ay, in the catalogue you go for men, as hounds and greyhouse…” (103). Part of the species
called men, need to step up compares them to different dogs and which ones stick out for being
stronger/man
(98 -comment says he puts their family in poverty – makes it seems Banquo is the reason they
are poor, his fault for their positioning in society rather than God, place for everyone
vs lady Macbeth
““​ When you durst do it,” she says, “then you were a man” (1.7.49).
“screw your courage to the sticking place and we shall not fail