Macbeth Act 3 Questions Due: Monday, November 28th 1. What was your initial impression of Macbeth when you first met him in Act 1? _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ 2. Do you see any pattern of growth or deterioration of Macbeth’s character as the play progresses? Explain. _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ 3. Why do you think that Macbeth doesn’t confide to Lady Macbeth about his plans for murdering Banquo and Fleance? _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ 4. Why is it important to Macbeth that the murderers succeed in murdering not only Banquo, but also Fleance? _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ 5. If you were to direct this play on stage, how would you portray Banquo’s ghost? Would the audience see it? _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ 6. What does Hecate plan to say or do to Macbeth when she meets him next? Use a quote to support your answer. _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ 7. At this stage in the play, which of the characters have suspicions that Macbeth murdered the King? _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ Shakespeare reveals his characters in four ways: Through what the characters say to other characters in dialogue Through what the characters reveal about their thoughts through soliloquies Through what other characters say about them Through what they do; their actions Fill in the chart briefly using both your own words and quotes from the play (when appropriate). Use another page if you need more room. Macbeth’s character Scene Act 3, Scene 1: Macbeth invites Banquo to his banquet What Macbeth says, does, or what others say about him What this reveals about Macbeth’s character Act 3 Scene 1: Macbeth conspires to murder Banquo and Fleance Act 3, Scene 2 Macbeth doesn’t reveal his plans to murder Banquo and Fleance to Lady Macbeth Act 3, Scene 3 Macbeth acts the jovial host at the banquet Act 3, Scene 4 Macbeth sees Banquo’s ghost Act 3, Scene 4 Macduff refuses to come when Macbeth summons him The following lines contain a metaphor (comparison between two unlike things). Identify the metaphor (what is being compared with what). Then, explain the meaning in your own words. 1. Macbeth’s response to murdering the King (Act 2, Scene 3) Will all great Neptune’s oceans wash this blood Clean from my hand? No. This my hand will rather The multitudinous seas incarnadine, Making the green one red. Metaphor: Meaning: 2. Macbeth commenting on his seizure of power and possible opposition to it (Act 3, Scene 2) We have scorched the snake, not killed it. She’ll close, and be herself, whilst our poor malice Remains in danger of her former tooth. Metaphor: Meaning: 3. Macbeth explaining why he has to go back to see the Witches. (Act 3, Scene 3) I am in blood, Stepped in so far that should I wade no more, Returning were as tedious as go o'er. Metaphor: Meaning:
