Gatewood’s Classroom
Macbeth Act III Quiz
Directions: Answer the following questions with complete information, although you do not have to write
complete sentences. Use the number of points to guide you in the detail of response which you need to provide.
1. What does Banquo suggest in his soliloquy which opens Act III? (2)
2. After talking with Banquo about Banquo’s plan for the night, Macbeth gives a soliloquy. In this speech, who
bothers Macbeth? Give two reasons why this person bothers or worries Macbeth. (3)
3. In order accomplish his plan, Macbeth hires a couple of contract killers. Discuss the rhetorical strategies and
persuasive techniques that Macbeth uses to motivate these men to kill. What do the murderers have to gain
from the murder plot? How is the murder a two for one deal? (5)
4. Give three examples of adjective-noun constructions in Macbeth and Lady Macbeth’s dialogue which
suggest something about their evolving disposition. How does this language, and 3.2 in general, mark a turn in
their relationship and within themselves. Why does Macbeth envy Duncan? (5)
5. At the beginning of 3.3, what indicates that Macbeth is paranoid, overcompensating for fear of discovery?
How does his murder plot err anyway? (2)
6. At his feast, as he is playing party pooper, Macbeth receives a cameo by what character? What is odd about
this person? What did Macbeth not tell his wife in 3.2 which probably further adds to her perplexity about her
husband’s behavior? Who did not show at the feast? (4)
7. In 3.6 Lennox talks with another Lord. Describe the tone of Lennox’s speech. Give at least two examples
which tip off the tone of the speech? (3)
8. In this same dialogue, Macduff is discussed. Where is Macduff, and what is he preparing to do? (2)
9. Return to Macbeth’s last speech at the end of 3.2. In that speech, Shakespeare uses many literary devices in
order develop tone and character. Find an example of each of the following items. (6)
Apostrophe:
Personification:
Synesthesia:
Alliteration:
Contrast:
Kenning: