Macbeth
Act III
Brief Synopsis – Act III
Banquo half suspects Macbeth of Duncan’s murder but accepts
an invitation to be the chief guest at the new king’s fest.
He tells Macbeth that he and his son Fleance will be riding that
afternoon, and Macbeth employs two murderers to kill both
father and son, thus negating the second part of the witches’
prophecies.
Their murderers waylay the pair killing Banquo, but Fleance
escapes.
That night at the feast Macbeth speaks glowingly of Banquo,
whom he has had killed.
Brief Synopsis – Act III
continued …
The ghost of Banquo enters and occupies the place of
Macbeth, who is the only one who can see the ghostly
apparition.
Macbeth speaks to the ghost in horror, and the queen
dismisses the guests before they become more suspicious.
They discover that Duncan’s son Malcolm has been joined
by the powerful Lord Macduff in opposition to Macbeth
and are busy enlisting the help of Northumberland, Old
Siward, in their cause.
Brief Synopsis – Act III
continued …
The three witches meet on the heath with their mistress
Hecate to bring about Macbeth’s fall.
Study Guide Questions
Study Guide Questions 1-2
In the short soliloquy that opens Scene 1, what does
Banquo reveal that he knows about Macbeth? What does
he decide to do?
Banquo reveals that he suspects Macbeth came by the crown dishonorably
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and if the witches prophecies have come true for Macbeth, will they not
come true for Banquo “…that myself should be the root and father of many
kings.” But he decides to wait and watch.
Study Guide Questions 1-2
How and WHY does Macbeth arrange Banquo’s murder?
How is Lady Macbeth involved in the murder?
Macbeth has hired two murderers to kill Banquo (because he knows
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Banquo’s knows what he did) and Fleance because he fears he has
murdered Duncan only for Banquo’s children to become king. Lady
Macbeth doesn’t know of the murder, she’s thinks he is speaking of
Duncan when she asks him “what’s to be done?” Macbeth answers “Be
innocent of the knowledge, dearest chuck, till thou applaud the deed. ……”
Study Guide Questions 3-4
In Scene 3, who escapes the murderers?
Fleance escapes the three (3) murderers.
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Describe what happens in Scene 4 when Ross, Lennox, and
the other lords invite Macbeth to share their table. What
does Macbeth do? What does Lady Macbeth do?
Macbeth sees the ghost of Banquo sitting in Macbeth’s place so he refuses
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to sit and talks to the ghost “Thou canst not say I did it. Never shake they
gory locks at me.” Even though Macbeth did not kill him with his own
hands, Macbeth is responsible for the murder. Lady Macbeth puts the
gentlemen at ease by saying that Macbeth often has these seizures and he
will be himself soon. She warns the nobles that it will offend Macbeth if
they make too much of his actions.
Study Guide Questions 5-6
By Scene 6, what opinion do Lennox and the other lords
hold of Macbeth?
They believe Macbeth is guilty of the murder of Duncan.
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Macduff does not appear at all in Act III. Where is he and
WHY?
Macduff has gone to the holy king in England to plan with
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Northumberland and the warlike Siward to see if they can come to
Scotland overthrow Macbeth. In the mean time, they wait quitely.
Study Guide Questions 7
Why do you suppose Shakespeare did not have Macbeth
kill Banquo with his own hands, as he killed Duncan and
his two guards? What can you infer about Macbeth’s
changing character from seeing how readily he engages in
this complex plan involving professional murderers?
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This shows the rapid and malignant growth of the evil Macbeth is
embracing. He is now paying for the deed to be done so he does not have
the actual blood on his hands. He doesn’t care what is happening to the
souls of the men he hires to do his bidding.
Study Guide Question 8
The relationship between Macbeth and his wife has
changed in several ways since they became rulers of
Scotland. Describe some of these changes. What reasons
can you suggest for these changes?
Macbeth does not involve Lady Macbeth in the planning of the murders.
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They are no longer in partnership and are both dealing with the horror of
Duncan’s death on their own. Macbeth by seeing ghosts and illusions and
Lady Macbeth by avoidance.
Study Guide Question 9-10
How is Fleance’s escape a turning point in the play?
Fleance’s escape is a turning point in the play because this is the
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beginning of the end for Macbeth. This is the first time Macbeth has not
completely succeeded in his evil plan and it still holds the witches’
prophecy as true that Banquo’s heirs shall rule.
Study Guide Question 11
Nobody except Macbeth sees Banquo’s ghost. In some
productions of the play, the ghost does not appear onstage;
in others, it does. What is gained by having Banquo appear
at the banquet, made up as a ghost? What is gained by
having nobody actually appear to motivate Macbeth’s
terrible behavior?
Macbeth seeing Banquo aids the audience in understanding that Macbeth
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is seeing and talking to a ghost. Whereby, when the nobles see Macbeth
talking to himself it aids in their believe that he is going crazy and must
have some demon pursuing him.
Study Guide Question 12
How does the banquet scene blur the clear-cut and
common sense distinction that most of us make between
the real and the imaginary? Describe what happens in
other scenes in which this distinction has also been
blurred.
Remember, Macbeth sees the floating knives, he hears voices after he
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kills Duncan, and he see’s Banquo’s ghost.
Study Questions 1-4
Who does Macbeth say killed Duncan?
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Macbeth says the groomsmen killed Duncan and that is why he killed
them in a great rage.
What does the “barren scepter” represent?
The barren scepter represents a king with no power,; one who is unable to
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produce the success and loyalty required of a king.
Why must the assassins keep Macbeth’s plan a secret?
Macbeth has threatened the murderers that he knows powerful people
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who could come back to hurt them.
Who is an unwelcome guest at Macbeth’s banquet?
Banquo’s ghost is an unwelcome guest at the banquet.
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Study Questions 5-8
Who makes excuses for Macbeth’s strange behavior?
Lady Macbeth makes excuses for Macbeth by saying he suffers
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from a childhood malady.
Who suspects that Macbeth killed Duncan?
Macduff
suspects Macbeth has killed Duncan so has left the
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country to England and to Malcom.
Who does Macbeth blame for Banquo’s death and why?
Macbeth blames himself. He know he killed Banquo because Banquo
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would tell on him. Banquo was honorable and true.
Who is angry with the witches because she was not included in
their plans concerning Macbeth?
Hecate the lead witch is angry with the other witches.
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Study Questions 9-10
Who escapes Macbeth’s assassins?
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Banquo’s son Fleance escapes the murderers.
Who hopes for aid from England against Macbeth?
Lennox and another Lord hope that Macduff and Malcom rescue them from
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Macbeth.
Act III
Why does Macbeth fear Banquo?
Macbeth fears Banquo because of the prophesy and Banquo’s goodness.
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Why is Macbeth so determined to have Fleance killed?
Macbeth wants Fleance killed because the prophesy states that Banquo’s
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heirs will rein over Scotland.
Whom do the murderers kill?
The assassins kill Banquo in the woods by slitting his throat.
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Act III continued …
Why is it ironic that this person escapes?
The
irony is that the escape gives truth the witches prophecy and
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Fleance is really the only one that had to die and he lived.
Whom does Macbeth exclude from this murder that was
deeply involved with Duncan’s murder?
Macbeth excludes Lady Macbeth in all of the planned murders from this
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time forward.
Act III continued …
What does Macbeth see at the banquet?
Macbeth see’s Banquo’s ghost.
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What do the guests at the feast think about Macbeth and
his ramblings?
The guests are troubled and believes he is ill.
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What does Lady Macbeth tell Macbeth that he lacks which
could greatly help his situation?
Manliness and courage.
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Act III continued …
What are Macduff and Malcolm doing at the end of this
act?
Macduff and Malcolm are with the king of England trying to bring
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Northumberland and warlike Siward to fight Macbeth for Scotland.
Act III Quotes
Act III Quotes
19.“Thou hast it now: king, Cawdor, Glamis, all, as the weird
women promised, and I fear thou play’dst most foully for
it’t.”
Banquo
Speaker = __________________
When Macbeth was crowned King at Scone.
Explanation = ____________________
20.“There is none but he whose being I do fear: and under
him my genius is rebuked, as it is said that Marc Antony’s
was by Caesar.”
Macbeth
Speaker = _____________________
Explanation = _______________________
21.“Upon my head they placed a fruitless crown and put a
barren scepter in my grip, thence to be wrenched with an
unlineal hand, no son of mine succeeding. If’t be so, for
Banquo’s issue have I filed my mind;”
Macbeth
Speaker = _______________
Explanation = ___________________
22.“It is concluded Banquo, thy soul’s flight, if it find heaven,
must find it out tonight.”
Macbeth
Speaker = ______________
Explanation = _______________________
23.“Nought’s had, all’s spent, where our desire is got without
content: ‘tis safer to be that which we destroy than by
destruction dwell in doubtful joy.”
Lady Macbeth
Speaker = _________________
Explanation = ___________________
24.“Be innocent of the knowledge, dearest chuck, till thou
applaud the deed.”
Macbeth
Speaker = _____________________
Explanation = ______________________
25.“Thou canst not say I did it. Never shake thy gory locks at
me.”
Macbeth
Speaker = __________________
Explanation = ____________________
26.“I am in blood stepped in so far that, should I wade no
more, returning were as tedious as go o’er.”
Macbeth
Speaker = __________________
Explanation = ________________________
Act III Quiz
Macbeth Act III Quiz
C
____
1. As he considers Macbeth’s kingship, Banquo
feels
a. premonitions of his own impending death
b. admiration for Macbeth’s achievement
c. glimmers of hope for his sons
d. disgust at his encounter with the witches
Macbeth Act III Quiz
B
____
2. The “barren scepter” Macbeth refers to is a
symbol implying that he
a. will never wield power
b. will have no heirs to the throne
c. will soon be overthrown and slain
d. prefers a smooth scepter barren of decoration
Macbeth Act III Quiz
C 3. Macbeth explains to the hired murderers that they
____
must keep his plan a secret because
a. he would be forced to execute them to satisfy the people
b. the murderers would be ostracized for their dirty work
c. he and Banquo have friends in common who would be
upset
d. the people should not know about the king’s sins
Macbeth Act III Quiz
B
____
4. When Macbeth hears that Fleance has escaped
the murderers, he reacts with
a. relief
b. anxiety
c. happiness
d. indifference
Macbeth Act III Quiz
A 5. When Macbeth begins talking to Banquo’s
____
ghost, Lady Macbeth reacts by
a. telling the others Macbeth has an illness
b. talking loudly so that Macbeth cannot be heard
c. confessing their crimes to the guests
d. pretending she sees the same apparition
Macbeth Act III Quiz
B
____
6. Which of the following phrases is the most
vivid example of figurative language in Act III?
a. “As upon thee, Macbeth, their speeches shine . . .”
b. “O, full of scorpions is my mind, dear wife!”
c. “There’s comfort yet; they are assailable.”
d. “Blood hath been shed ere now . . .”
Macbeth Act III Quiz
C
____
7. Hecate intends to ensure Macbeth’s downfall
by making him
a. devoted
b. angry
c. overconfident
d. fearful
Macbeth Act III Quiz
D 8. At the beginning of Scene 6, Lennox speaks of
____
Macbeth’s sorrow and nobility in a tone that is
a. objective
b. affectionate
c. comforting
d. sarcastic
Macbeth Act III Quiz
A 9. suspects that Macbeth killed Duncan
____
___
D 10. suspects that Banquo knows
Macbeth’s crimes
E 11. is suspicious because the Witches
___
have not provided information
C 12. are suspicious because of Macbeth’s
___
behavior at the banquet
B 13. are suspicious about all events and
___
hope for aid from England against
Macbeth
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
Banquo
Lennox and another lord
The nobles
Macbeth
Hecate
Macbeth Act III Quiz
15. Which of the following quotations do you think is the most
foreboding? On a separate sheet of paper, write the letter of the
quotation you choose and briefly defend your choice. Each quotation
is a valid choice. Use at least one example from the play to support
your ideas.
a. Hecate: “I am for th’ air; this night I’ll spend / Unto a dismal
and fatal end.”
b. Macbeth: “We are yet but young in deed.”
c. Lennox: “. . . that a swift blessing / May soon return to this
our suffering country / Under a hand accursed!”
d. Lady Macbeth: “’Tis safer to be that which we destroy / Than
by destruction dwell in doubtful joy.”
Macbeth Act III Quiz
Possible Answer 15
a. Hecate’s words are the
most foreboding because they
suggest that Macbeth will meet a
miserable, deadly end.
c. Lennox’s words are the most
foreboding because they describe a
stirring conflict between the people
and their king that is bound to end in a
bloody struggle.
b. Macbeth’s words are the
most foreboding because they
suggest that Macbeth and his wife
will commit more horrible crimes.
d . Lady Macbeth’s words are the
most foreboding because she implies
that it is better for her to be dead than
to be tormented by guilt.