Macbeth // Act III

What suspicions does Banquo voice? What does he say that lets us know what he suspects? He is suspicious of Macbeth; I fear thou playd’st most foully for it.
Why does Macbeth question Banquo about his plan? He’s plotting Banquo’s murder and he needs to know where Banquo will be.
What suspicions does Macbeth harbor? Macbeth is afraid that Banquo may plot to kill him.
What does Macbeth tell the murderers about Banquo? Macbeth says that they are poor because of Banquo; Banquo is Macbeth’s enemy, and it will please him if the murderers take care of this.
According to Macbeth, why does he himself not kill Banquo? Because mutual friends would take sides and divide the country.
Who else are the murderers to kill? Fleance
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 not any happier now that they have killed to become King and Queen.
From what affliction does Macbeth suffer? Nightmares
Lady Macbeth says, “You must leave this.” What does she mean? She is telling Macbeth to stop thinking 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? 1) Macbeth is hiring hitmen to do the killing.2) Lady Macbeth is not part of the planning of the murder.3) He wants it to be done totally away from his castle.4) Macbeth does not struggle with his conscience.5) He is killing to keep the crown.
Who is murdered in this scene? Banquo
Who escapes? Fleance
What is Banquo’s dying request to Fleance? To avenge his death
What activity opens scene 4? Feast
Who joins the assembled group, sitting in Macbeth’s place? Banquo’s ghost
How does Lady Macbeth explain Macbeth’s reaction? She tells the group that he has had the fits since he was a child.
What is Lady Macbeth’s reaction to Macbeth’s claim of seeing Banquo’s ghost? She disregards it and says “You’re looking at an empty chair.”
To what other event in the play is this ghostly appearance similar? The appearance of the dagger
Why does Lady Macbeth ask everyone to leave? Because Macbeth is talking aloud to the ghost, and she doesn’t want him to expose his guilt.
Who refused the banquet invitation? Macduff
What is Macbeth’s plan for the next day? 1) Check on Macbeth.2) See the witches.
To what does Macbeth attribute his condition? He says it’s because he is new to murder.
What does Hecate plan to do? To further plot Macbeth’s downfall
What is implied in Lennox’s speech at the opening of scene 6? He is suspicious of Macbeth.
Where has Macduff gone? To join Malcolm in England and get help from Edward The Confessor.
What does Macduff hope to do? Raise forces and overthrow Macbeth
What purpose does scene 6 serve? To summarize the events that have taken place.
Macbeth thinks that his agitation and sleeplessness will lessen in time. Do you believe this will happen? No; he is plotting more murders.
Why does Macbeth fear Banquo? 1) Banquo is intelligent.2) He heard the witches’ prophecy.3) Banquo’s descendants would be King.4) Macbeth believes that Banquo is ambitious.
July 21, 2019