Macbeth Act III Questions
1. How does Macbeth’s speech beginning,
“To be thus is nothing/but to be safely
thus.” (III. i. 52-76) explain why he
decides to kill Banquo and Fleance?
2. What arguments does Macbeth use to
convince the two murderers to act on his
behalf?
3. Why does Macbeth not tell Lady
Macbeth about Banquo’s upcoming
murder? What speech of Lady Macbeth’s
does his “Come, seeling night” (III. Ii. 5161) soliloquy remind you of?
4. Why does Macbeth react so strongly to
the visit from Banquo’s ghost?
5. What excuses does Lady Macbeth give
for Macbeth’s strange behavior in front of
his banquet guests?
6. What happens at the end of Act III that
makes Macbeth’s throne less secure?