Agenda for February 3,
2015
1. Macbeth Act III Quiz
2. Review Quiz
3. Key Scenes
Objective: Students will review
important sections of Act III, Scenes I-VI
• Banquo’s Soliloquy
• Suspects Macbeth but draws comfort
from the fact that his sons will be kings
• Macbeth is not content with being king
• Sees Banquo as a threat
• Hires 2 murderers to Kill Banquo and
Fleance
 In
the beginning of the act, there is a short,
clipped conversation between Macbeth and
Banquo. What does this signify?
 Macbeth
says, “To be thus is nothing, But to
be safely thus.” What does this mean?
 Macbeth
compares the murderers to dogs
when talking to the murderers. What is ironic
about this statement?
• Lady Macbeth laments that, although they have
exactly what they wanted, they are not happy.
• Macbeth joins her and reveals his tortured thoughts.
• Admits that he feels vulnerable as long as Banquo
and his son are alive.
• Does not include Lady Macbeth in his murder
plans***
• Tells Lady Macbeth to pay special attention to
Banquo that night
 “Oh,
full of scorpions is my mind, dear wife!
Thou know’st that Banquo, and his Fleance,
lives.”


Meaning?
Shows guilt
 “Be
innocent of the knowledge, dearest
chuck, Till thou applaud the deed.”


Meaning?
What does this say about their relationship at
this point in the play?
• The murderers lie in wait for Banquo
and Fleance
• They are joined by a third murderer
• Banquo is killed
• Fleance escapes
• Represents a turning point in the
play
• Banquo’s dying words demand
revenge
 First

murderer poetic in his words
Meaning?
 Second
murderer says he sees a light when
Banquo approaches.

Symbolic?
 Third

murderer asks who put out the light.
Symbolic?
 All
agree is was for the best
• Thanes of Scotland present at banquet
hosted by Macbeth
• Macduff is not present
• Suspicious?
• Murderers update Macbeth
• Banquo was killed
• Fleance escaped
• Macbeth becomes absolutely distraught
• Macbeth sees the ghost of Banquo
• No one else can see the ghost, and the guests
quickly become alarmed at Macbeth’s behavior.
• Lady Macbeth does her best to try to get Macbeth
to keep it together while distracting the guests
• Claims he has had these fits since he was a
child
• Macbeth says anyone who really knows him,
knows this
• Finally, they ask everyone to leave.
 “It
will have blood, they say. Blood will have
blood.”

Meaning?
 “Almost
at odds with morning, which is
which.”

What does this symbolize?
 Decides
to return to see the witches and
says, “I am in blood stepped in so far that,
should I wade no more, returning were as
tedious as go o'er.”

Meaning?
• We are introduced to Hecate, Queen of the
Witches
• She is very angry with the witches for telling
Macbeth about his future.
• “And, which is worse, all you have done/ Hath
been but for a wayward son,/Spiteful and
wrathful, who, as others do,/Loves for his own
ends, not for you.
• Tells them to meet her the next day to see
Macbeth
 Hecate
says, “And you all know, security/ Is
mortals' chiefest enemy.”



What does this mean?
What do you think?
Connections to today’s world?
• Lennox’s speech-EXTREMELY SARCASTIC
• Learn that the Thanes are not loyal to Macbeth, but
they are afraid of his many spies
• Lennox reveals his belief that Macbeth killed Duncan
and Banquo.
• We learn that Macduff has gone to England
• Wants to join with Malcolm in attempting to remove
Macbeth from the Scottish throne.
 “The
son of Duncan—From whom
this tyrant holds the due of birth—
Lives in the English court”
 Image of leader to a tyrant
 Macbeth receives a new foil
 Banquo up until his death
 Macduff for the rest of the play