Macbeth Act 3

Scene 1
What suspicions does Banquo voice? What does he say that lets us know what he suspects? that Macbeth killed Duncan he said “I fear thou playd’st most foully for”
Who besides Banquo knows of the witches’ prophecies? Lady macbeth and Macbeth
Why does Macbeth question Banquo about his plan? he’s plotting Banquo’s murder and he needs to know where Banquo will be
Why does Macbeth fear Banquo? -Banquo heard the witched prophecies -Banquo is intelligent -Banquo is ambitious -Banquo’s decendents will be king
What does Macbeth tell the murderers about Banquo? 1. He is your enemy, he has caused your financial problems.2. He is also my enemy and you would be doing me a favor.
What suspicions does Macbeth harbor? He is afraid the Banquo may plot to kill him
According to Macbeth, why does he himself not kill Banquo? because mutual friends would take sides and divide the kingdom
Who else are the murderers to kill? Fleance
Scene 2
What is the meaning of Lady Macbeth’s saying, “Naught’s had, all’s spent,/Where our desire is got without content”? She and Macbeth are no happier now that they have to kill to become king and queen.
From what affliction does Macbeth suffer? he is having nightmares
Lady Macbeth says, “You must leave this.” What does she mean? he must stop brooding about Duncan’s murder
Is Lady Macbeth aware that Macbeth has planned the death of Banquo and Fleance? no
How is the planning of Banquo’s murder different from that of Duncan’s? -Macbeth planned this murder while excluding Lady Macbeth-Macbeth is killing to keep the crown, rather than to get the crown.-He had someone else actually do the killing this time-Macbeth doesn’t struggle with his conscience
Scene 3
Who is murdered in this scene? Banquo
Who escapes? Fleance
What is Banquo’s dying request to Fleance? revenge my death
What activity opens the scene? banquet at Macbeth’s castle
Who joins the assembled group, sitting in Macbeth’s place? ghost of Banquo
How does Lady Macbeth explain Macbeth’s reaction? he has had these fits since he was a child
What is Lady Macbeth’s reaction to Macbeth’s claim of seeing Banquo’s ghost? disregards it and says you’re looking at an empty chair
To what other event in the play is this ghostly appearance similar? when Macbeth sees the dagger
Why does Lady Macbeth ask everyone to leave? Macbeth is talking out loud to the ghost and she is afraid he will expose his guilt
Who refused the banquet invitation? Macduff
What is Macbeth’s plan for the next day? check on Macduff and go see the witches
To what does Macbeth attribute his condition? this is happening because I need to murder
Scene 5
What does Hecate plan to do? to further plot Macbeth’s downfall
Scene 6
What is implied in Lennox’s speech at the opening of the scene? he’s suspicious of Macbeth
Where has Macduff gone? to join Malcolm in England to raise troops to overthrow Macbeth
What does he hope to do? raise troops and overthrow Macbeth
What purpose does this scene serve? (won’t be on test) summarize the events that have taken place so far
Thinking about Act 3
Macbeth thinks that his agitation and sleeplessness will lessen in time. Do you believe this will happen? no, because he is plotting more murders
How was Banquo killed? -ambushed-throat cut-stabbed 20 times in head-thrown in a ditch-brains oozed out
Who wasn’t at the banquet -Macduff, Banquo, Fleance