Is Macbeth a hero or a villain?
At the end of Act II, it is possible to see the character of Macbeth in a number of different ways:

He is a heartless killer who has murdered a kind king purely for his own benefit.
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He is politically clever and acts ruthlessly simply because he lives in ruthless times.
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He is easily manipulated by a wife he loves, and acts to prove to her that he is a man.

He has no choice: the Witches told him what was going to happen and it was fated to be so.

He is a hero who has been selected by the thanes to rescue Scotland in its hour of need.
Which of these interpretations do you think is the most valid? Explain.
Macbeth now wears the crown of Scotland, but what do his words and actions reveal about his mental state?
Time and Place
Banquo fears that Macbeth has become king by evil means, but he takes heart from the
Witches’ predictions for his own descendants. Macbeth requests Banquo’s attendance at tonight’s banquet.
dauntless – fearless, unable to be intimidated fruitless – unproductive or unsuccessful grapple
– wrestle or struggle with malice – a desire to harm others or to see others suffer predominant – having greatest importance or authority sundry – various; miscellaneous tyrant – a harsh or cruel leader

Name: Date: Period:
, Act III
Personal Response
Macbeth now wears the crown of Scotland. Do you think being king fulfills Macbeth’s need for power? Explain. What other ambitions do you think he may be harboring? What obstacles may still be in his way? Predict what is going to happen next.
Recall and Interpret
1. Macbeth flatters Banquo as a valued adviser. He pretends to be interested in Banquo’s ride that afternoon, but in his heart Macbeth has evil intentions for his friend. Reread
Macbeth’s words in lines 19-41. Identify lines in which Macbeth is saying something insincere and describe what is really on his mind.
2. In this scene, Macbeth reveals how much he fears Banquo. What actions does Macbeth take to ensure the Witches’ prophecy for Banquo’s descendants will not come true?

Recall and Interpret
3. This scene marks a change in the relationship between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth.
Both are uneasy about their present position. However, Lady Macbeth’s advice to her husband is simply to forget the events of the past because they cannot be changed. Why does Macbeth envy Duncan? Why is it impossible for Macbeth to forget the past? What deed does Macbeth hint at that will be performed that night?
Recall and Interpret
4. False and deceptive behavior recurs throughout the play, contributing to the theme of appearance and reality. How does Macbeth create the appearance of peace and harmony at the beginning of this scene? How is this undercut by the presence of the Murderers, who have secret instructions from the king?
5. Are the Murderers successful in carrying out the secret instructions given to them by
Macbeth? Explain in detail.

Recall and Interpret
7. The guests are bewildered and the banquet descends into chaos as Macbeth reacts in horror to the presence of the Ghost. Describe how the Ghost enters and behaves during
Macbeth’s violent outbursts (lines 89-107). What does Lady Macbeth make of these events? What does she request of her guests?
8. After the disturbed action of the banquet, the final episode of the scene has an eerie atmosphere. Macbeth and his wife are alone together and Macbeth seems to enter a mysterious, personal world of evil and renewed energy. Who does he vow to visit and why? What does Macbeth swear from this point on?
Recall and Interpret
9. Why is Hecate upset with the Witches? What does she promise?

Recall and Interpret
10. How can we interpret Lennox’s speech?
Close Reading
Macbeth’s language in Act III, Scene iii, lines 46-50 is rich and visceral in its personification of night and day. It evokes vivid images of blood and blindness, evil and darkness, adding to the drama of the scene. What effect does Macbeth’s strikingly poetic language have when contrasted with the sinister atmosphere created by his invocation to evil? Write a paragraph describing the impact of Macbeth’s language using embedded quotations as you refer to lines 46-50.
Dramatic Irony
The appearance of Banquo’s Ghost on stage gives much opportunity for dramatic irony, and there are several points where the audience is more aware of what is happening than the characters are. Reread Act III, Scene iv, lines 38-70 and make a list of lines that exemplify dramatic irony. Include the line, line number, and give at least two interpretations of what the statement might mean. Then write three or four paragraphs describing how the Ghost adds to the horror and intrigue in this scene, as well as contributing to its dramatic irony.
Extending Your Response
Themes – The Humble Host?
Macbeth avoids naming the deed (murder). Reread Act III, Scene iv and list four euphemisms for murder that Macbeth uses in his conversation with the Murderers (lines
15-28). Describe how they relate to the theme of appearance and reality.