ACT 3 Study Questions

ACT 3 Study Questions

Scene 1

1) What is Banquo’s opening soliloquy about? Please translate it line by line.

Thou hast it now: king, Cawdor, Glamis, all,

As the weird women promised, and I fear

Thou played’st most foully for ’t. Yet it was said

It should not stand in thy posterity,

But that myself should be the root and father

Of many kings. If there come truth from them—

As upon thee, Macbeth, their speeches shine—

Why, by the verities on thee made good,

May they not be my oracles as well,

And set me up in hope? But hush, no more.

You have it all: king, thane of cawdor, thane of Glamis

Which the

I believe you played foul for it,

But they said that your posterity will not be kings

But mine will be

Many of my sons and gransons will be, if the witches are telling the truth

As they did for you, Macbeth

Maybe they’ll be telling the thruth for me too.

But ah, I’ll shut up now.

2) Why does Macbeth wish Banquo dead (name at least 2 reasons)—look at his speech in lines 50-76?

Reason One: Macbeth wants his future relatives to be kings, not Banquo’s.

Reason Two: Banquo knows

3) What is significant about the following quote, “For them the gracious Duncan I have murder;/ Put rancors in the vessel of my peace/ only for them,”

He’s saying that he killed Duncan only for the benefit of Banquo’s heirs. He’s ruined his peace of mind and in the end it won’t matter, because his offspring will not rule the throne

4) How does Macbeth convince the murders?
He blames all of their troubles on Banquo and states that it’s his fault they’re living this kind of life.

Scene 2

1) What is significant about the quote, “We have scotched the snake not killed it./ She’ll close and be herself, whilst our poor malice/ remains in danger of the former tooth.” What does Macbeth mean?
We have not killed off all opposing forces, so they will become powerful once again and we are still in danger.

2) Why does Macbeth tell his wife, “Be innocent of the knowledge dearest chuck,/ till thou applaud the deed.”?
It’s better that you don’t know about it until the deed is done.

3) What is significant in the quote, “Come, seeling night, Scarf up the tender eye of pitiful day,/ and with bloody and invisible hand/ cancel and tear to pieces that great bond/ which keeps me pale.” What is Macbeth saying and what is the great bond?

He’s saying for night to kill Banquo, because Banquo causes him to live in fear.

4) Explain the symbolism of crows, night and sleep in this scene. What does it suggest?

Sleep: healing

Crows: death

Night: where every thing bad happens

It suggests that the dark element to the play is not over yet and that there will be many more bad things happening.

Scene 3

1) What happens in this scene? What is botched?
Banquo is killed, but Fleance escapes. The murder is botched.

Scene 4

1) What event is most important in this scene?

Banquo’s ghost!
2) Why does Macbeth say, “There the grown serpent lies; the worm that’s fled/ hath nature that in time will venom breed,/ no teeth for the present.” What is he talking about? Who is he talking about?

3) What is significant about Banquo’s ghost? What does it suggest? How does Macbeth react to it? Is it real or in Macbeth’s mind?

It shows that Banquo’s ghost wants revenge. Macbeth is frightened because of it and weirding out his guests. I believe it is an illusion created by the witches.
4) Discuss how blood is used in this scene. What does it symbolize?
Banquo’s ghost wants revenge; blood causes more blood to be shed.

5) How does Lady Macbeth react to Macbeth’s visions?
She breaks up the party and tells him to go to bed.

Scene 5

1) Most critics think this scene was placed into Macbeth by a different/later author (someone other Shakespeare). Do you agree or not? Why?
I agree because it doesn’t to do anything to enhance the plot. Also, it is written differently from the rest of the play.

Scene 6

1) What does Lennox say in this scene about Fleance and Banquo?

That Fleance probably killed Banquo
2) What would have happened to Duncan's sons if Macbeth had them under lock and key?

He would have killed them.
3) Where did MacDuff go?

England