macbeth study guide act 3

How much time has passed between the end of Act 2 and the beginning of Act 3?

Several months—Macbeth has been king for a while

In his soliloquy, what suspicion does Banquo express?

Banquo suspects foul play and that Macbeth killed Duncan because of what the witches told him.

Why would Macbeth consider Banquo a threat?

Macbeth is upset because Banquo got told that he would start a royal lineage instead of Macbeth. Banquo is also the only other person that knows what the witches told Macbeth

Macbeth seems very interested in Banquo’s travel plans, why is he so interested?

Macbeth is interested because he hired two murderers to kill Banquo and Fleance

What is Macbeth’s plan to get rid of Banquo?

He hired two murderers to do the job—that night away from the palace

In what ways does Macbeth’s behavior with the hired killers mirror Lady Macbeth’s behavior before Duncan’s murder?

Macbeth gives the murderers a bunch of reasons why they should wan’t to kill Banquo, and says that they will be more of a man if they kill Banquo

Who else does Macbeth order be killed?

Fleance

Why does Macbeth believe murdering Fleance is necessary?

Because he is Banquo’s son

What is the meaning of Macbeth’s opening speech in scene 2?

macbeth is saying that just killing Duncan wasn’t the end, it was only the beginning.

What is Lady Macbeth’s state of mind now?

She is worried all the time and doesn’t feel safe. She thinks that other people could kill them at anytime.

What has been troubling Macbeth on a nightly basis?

He can’t sleep anymore—paranoid

How does Macbeth show that his resolve and ambition have become stronger?

Macbeth is now in charge—he tells Lady Macbeth not to worry so much. He has also planned Banquo’s murder on his own, and tells Lady Macbeth to entertain him.

What happens at the ambush?

The murderers kill Banquo, but Fleance gets away

What is different about the ambush from the plan Macbeth originally set up?

Macbeth hired 2 murderers, but 3 show up.

How many murders are now on Macbeth’s hands?

4—Duncan, the two guards, and now Banquo

What is the play on words when the murderer says that Banquo is “safe” now?

it is another example of equivocation, because Macbeth isn’t really worried about Banquo’s safety, he is just asking if he is safely dead

Upon returning to the table, what does Macbeth see?

Macbeth sees a ghost of Banquo in his seat

Why is the placement of the ghost symbolic?

The ghost sits in Macbeth’s seat which symbolizes Banquo’s family taking over the royal line after Macbeth

How many people see the ghost? How many appearances does the ghost make?

Macbeth is the only one who sees the ghosts. The ghost came once, then disappeared and then reappeared—so it was seen twice

what does this ghost look like?

The ghost is a murdered Banquo—all bloody and stabbed

how does Lady Macbeth deal with her husband’s behavior and the guests at the banquet?

She says that Macbeth just gets like this sometimes—when he has his first outburst. She then asks him if he is really a man. When the ghost reappears, she sends all the guests home

Why doesn’t Macduff attend the banquet? What are the implications of not attending?

Macduff didn’t come to the banquet because he is suspicious of Macbeth. Macbeth notices his absence though, which is a red flag

What does Macbeth make plans to do the next day?

Macbeth plans to go visit the witches the next day.

Has Macbeth’s state of mind changed since the first murder?

Now Macbeth is in a similar state of mind as before he killed Duncan—hallucinating and crazy

Who is Hecate?

The leader/boss of the witches

What is her opinion of Macbeth?

She is mad at the witches for not consulting her before talking to Macbeth. She thinks that he is selfish and doesn’t appreciate what the witches have done for him

What do you notice about Hecate’s soliloquy?

It is written in Iambic Pentameter

What is Hecate’s plan for Macbeth?

She is going to equivocate—tell him things that will make him more secure and make him feel so safe that he won’t even realize what is happening to him

What is the tone of scene 6?

Gloomy

How is Scotland faring under Macbeth’s reign?

Scotland is not doing well under Macbeth—hungry, crime, sleepless nights

Why is Lennox cautious with what he says?

Lennox is being cautious because he doesn’t know what side the Lord is on and because Macbeth has spies everywhere

What lines indicate that Lennox suspects Macbeth of murdering Duncan and Banquo?

Lines 8-15. Lennox is speaking sarcastically about how people are dying.

Where has Macduff gone now? Why?

Macduff has gone to England to get Malcom and the King of England to try to oust Macbeth

What is Macbeth planning?

Macbeth is preparing for war, because he knows people are trying to kick him out