`1`Macbeth Act III Study Questions
Scene 1
1. What does Banquo suspect that Macbeth might have done to get the
crown of Scotland?
2. Who does Macbeth refer to as “our chief guest”?
3. How is this an example of verbal irony?
4. Comment on the verbal irony in the exchange of words between
Macbeth and Banquo.
5. Who is Macbeth talking about when he speaks of “our bloody
cousins” who are “bestowed in England”?
6. What is parricide?
7. What does Macbeth mean when he says “To be thus is nothing, but
to be safely thus—“?
8. In his soliloquy, who does Macbeth say he fears?
9. Why does Macbeth say his crown is predicted to be “fruitless” and
his scepter “barren”?
10. Who is Macbeth afraid will receive all the benefits of his evil work
and scheming?
11. How does Macbeth’s technique of persuading the murderers
resemble Lady Macbeth’s earlier method of persuading Macbeth?
12. What does Macbeth mean when he says “I require a clearness: and
with him—To leave no rubs nor botches in the work—?
13. Who else are the murderers told to kill besides Banquo?
Scene 2
14. What does Lady Macbeth mean when she says “’Tis safer to be that
which we destroy/Than by destruction dwell in doubtful joy”?
15. What does Macbeth say he might be better than the nightmares he
is having?
16. Who does Macbeth say is sleeping well?
17. Besides sleep, Macbeth envies what else about this person?
18. How has Macbeth and Lady Macbeth’s relationship changed at this
point in the story?
19. What does Macbeth mean when he says his mind is full of
scorpions?
20. This is an example of what literary term?
Macbeth Act III Study Questions, continued
Scene 3
21. Who escapes the murderer’s trap?
22. Why is this extremely important?
23. Bookmark this part of the story in your mind, and think about
whether you think this part of the story might be the climax.
24. Another alternate climax is when Macbeth actually learns about
this person’s escape from the First Murderer. Think about why this part
instead might be the climax of the story.
25. What frightening sight does Macbeth see when he returns to the
feast?
26. How does Lady Macbeth explain her husband’s behavior?
27. What happens to make the frightening sight reappear?
28. What does Macbeth mean when he says he has a “servant fee’d” in
the house of Macduff?
29. What does Macbeth mean when he says “I am I blood stepped in so
far that, should I wade no more, Returning were as tedious as go o’er.”?
30. What does this statement suggest Macbeth will continue to do in
the future?
Scene 4
31.
32.
What is Hecate’s plan to further tempt Macbeth?
What does Hecate say is man’s “chiefest enemy”?
Scene 5
33.
34.
“the
35.
36.
37.
How does Lennox use sarcasm in he speech to his fellow lord?
Who is the tyrant that Lennox is referring to when he speaks of
tyrant’s feast”?
What are Lennox’s real feelings about Macbeth?
What is Macduff trying to accomplish in England?
How does King Macbeth react to the news?