Blood begets More Blood
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Shakespeare winks at his audience as we see a second exchange between
Banquo and Macbeth—pre-murder vs. post-murder. The exchange allows us to
highlight what has changed
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Act Three begins with a soliloquy by Banquo.
-In what ways does this speech show that Banquo is a threat to Macbeth?
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Subtext: What they say to each other vs. What they actually are thinking?
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Read Macbeth's soliloquy :
"To be thus is nothing, but to be safely thus-"
-Paraphrase the soliloquy.
-What assumptions underlie Macbeth's fears?
-Given Banquo's earlier soliloquy, to what extent do you feel his fears are justified?
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Murder for Hire: Why is it interesting that Macbeth employs professional cutthroats to kill Banquo?
Viewing the Scene
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In what ways do each of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth show
that the crown has not brought peace of mind?
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In what ways has Macbeth changed since the murder?
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In many ways the roles of Macbeth and Lady
Macbeth have been reversed. How has their relationship
been altered?
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How is the "fair is foul " theme used to emphasize this
change?
Three Reactions at a Table: Macbeth, Lady Macbeth, and the
Lords: Audience members make decisions according to what
shots should happen when Banquo’s ghost appears.
 How should the lords at the feast react to Macbeth’s side
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conversation with the murderer? What will the audience
conclude from these reactions?
How should Banquo’s ghost be portrayed? Who sees it? How
will these portrayals affect the mood of the performace and the
emotions or sympathies of the audience?
How should Lady Macbeth react to Macbeth’s fit? What will the
audience conclude from these reactions?
How do the lords at the feast react to Macbeth’s fit? What do
you conclude from these reactions?
How can we use camera angles, cuts, close-ups, or other
techniques to influence the audience?
3.3: The murder of the less happy Banquo and the escape of the “happier” Fleance
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The murder of Banquo is the first killing that we actually see
Builds the complication with Fleance’s escape
3.4: Haunting of Macbeth: Viewing and Peer Discussion
Shakespeare often uses ghosts; however, usually the ghost is seen by a number of characters.
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If only Macbeth can see this ghost, what does this suggest about the nature of the ghost?
How does Lady Macbeth respond to his "fit" ?
Once again there is a shift in their relationship. Explain this shift.
Once Banquo's ghost finally leaves, Macbeth appears to be more settled. Why do you think this is
so?
Why do you think Macbeth decides to visit the witches again?
Examine the following lines:
“For my own good / All causes shall give way. I am in blood / Stepped so far that, should I wade no
more, / Returning were as tedious as go o'er. / Strange things I have in head that will to hand / Which
must be acted ere they may be scanned.
What does he mean?
3.5 The Words from the Queen of the Witches
 “How did you dare to trade and traffic with Macbeth in riddles and affairs
of death”
 “All you have done hath been but for a wayward son, spiteful and
wrathful, who, as others do, loves for his own ends, not for you”
 “Meet me in the morning: thither he will come to know his destiny”
 “Artificial sprites as by the strength of their illusion, shall draw him on to
his confusion: He shall spurn fate, score death, and bear he hopes ‘bove
wisdom, grace and fear: And you all know, security is mortals’ chiefest
enemy.”
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What effect would cutting the scene out have on our understanding of
the role of the witches in determining Macbeth's actions?
3.6
Scene six provides us with an insight into Macbeth's reign and the way in
which he is viewed by the Thanes.
 Briefly describe these views
Discuss in a group of 4, the words that you
investigated in Act 3
 How do the different words develop
--The Themes
--The Characters
--The Plot
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