Macbeth Act III Group Questions
Scene 1
(1-4) 1. According to Banquo, how did Macbeth get all that the weird women
promised?
(15) 2. What has Macbeth invited Banquo to do?
(20-30) 3. Where will Banquo be between now and this evening?
(30-35) 4. What does Macbeth say has been learned of Malcom and Donalbain?
(35-40)5. Who will Banquo take with him?
Soliloquy 6. Macbeth says, “To be thus is nothing, But to be safely thus.” What does
“thus” mean?
Soliloquy 7. In Macbeth’s soliloquy, who is he afraid of? Why is he both fearful and
jealous of Banquo?
Page 87-89. 8. Macbeth want the murderers to kill __________________________. He
taunts them, like Lady Macbeth, by questioning____________________________.
(150-160) 9. Besides Banquo, who else does Macbeth want dead?
Scene 2:
Please note: Has Macbeth TOLD Lady Macbeth his intentions about Banquo?
(5-10)10. Lady Macbeth voices concern about getting what one desires but not
being “content.” What does she say is “safer” to be?
(14)11. Notice Lady Macbeth’s line, “What’s done is done.” What tone do you think
this presents?
(15-29)12. What reasons does Macbeth give for why Duncan is better off than he?
(30-32)13. How does Macbeth instruct Lady Macbeth to act toward Banquo?
(51-52)14. Macbeth says, “Be innocent of the knowledge.” Who should be innocent?
__________________ What knowledge is Macbeth talking about?
Scene 4:
18. What is happening at the beginning of this scene?
(14-15)19. What is the first thing Macbeth tells the murderer?
(31-34)20. What does Macbeth mean when says, “There the serpent lies. The worm
that’s fled / Hath nature that in time will venom breed, / no teeth for th’ present”?
Who is the serpent and who is the worm?
Stage direction: Who comes for a visit to the banquet? Can everyone see it?
(59) 21. Macbeth says, “Which of you have done this?” What is Macbeth looking at
when he says this? ___________________________________. What is Macbeth referring to
when he says “done this”?
(64-69)22. What does Lady Macbeth say is the problem?
(64-69)23. Lady Macbeth tell the lords not to do what because it enrages Macbeth
in these fits?
(70) 24. What does Lady Macbeth do to tell Macbeth to get it together?
(88) 25. Lady Macbeth says they are “un___________________ in folly.” What is
important about her choice of words?
(page 107) 26. Macbeth’s “madness” has ruined the party. What does Lady
Macbeth do to draw things to a close in this section?
(159-161)27. What behavior of Macduff does Macbeth find unnerving?
(162-164)28. Macbeth says, “There’s not a one of them but in his house I keep a
servant fee’d.” What does this mean?
(165)29. Who does Macbeth say he will go visit?
(173)30. What does Lady Macbeth say Macbeth needs?
Scene 5:
Skip this scene.
Scene 6:
(1-26)31. What are Lennox’s thoughts on what has been happening in Scotland?
(33-43)32. What is the rumor about Macduff?