Macbeth Act III Reading and Study Guide

1. According to Banquo, how did Macbeth get all that the weird woman promised? Foul is fair, and fair is foul
2. What has Macbeth invited Banquo to do? Macbeth invites Banquo to a party
3. Where will Banquo be between now and this evening? We will be going on a horse ride with his son
4. What does Macbeth say has been learned of Malcom and Donalbain? Macbeth has learned that they are scared for their lives so they flee
5. Who will Banquo take with him? Banquo will take his son for a horse ride in the countryside
6. Macbeth says, “For them the gracious Duncan have I murdered.” Who is he talking about? what is bothering Macbeth in his soliloquy? Macbeth’s mind is everywhere and he is very confused
7. In a previous speech, what did Macbeth try to convince the murders of? Banquo being behind the murders
8. What do the murderers say about their own lives and their willingness to do what Macbeth want them to do? They said that they didn’t care
9. Besides Banquo, who else does Macbeth want dead? Banquo’s son (Fleance)
10. Lady macbeth voices concern about getting what one desires but not being “content.” What does she say is “safer” to be? She has gotten what what she wanted. It is safer to be the one who was murdered then the murder, because you have to live with the guilt
11. What reasons does Macbeth give for why Duncan is better off than he? Duncan sleeps peacefully
12. How does Macbeth instruct Lady Macbeth to act toward Banquo Acting normal when Banquo is around
13. What does Lady Macbeth say that provides comfort to Macbeth? We can kill Banquo and his son (Fleance)
14. Macbeth says, “Be innocent of the knowledge.” Who should be innocent? ___________ What knowledge is Macbeth talking about? Lady Macbeth
15. Who hired the third murder? Macbeth
16. The murderers are about a mile away from the palace gate. What do most men usually do from this place? They walk to the palace
17. How successful were the murders? The murders were half-successful
18. What is happening at the beginning of scene 4? The banquet has begun without Banquo
19. What is the first thing Macbeth tells the murderer? “you have blood on your face. I rather his blood on your face then going through his veins”; He has Banquo’s blood on his face
20. What does Macbeth mean when he says, “There the serpent lies. The worm that’s fled / Hath nature that in time will venom breed, / no teeth for th’ present?” Fleance will want revenge eventually. It means Banquo is dead and Fleance escaped
21. Macbeth says that he hopes he can “challenge,” or accuse, Banquo of _____________ rather than pitty him for _____________. Rudeness; Some accident
22. Macbeth says, “Which of you have done this?” What is Macbeth looking at when he says this? ______________. What is Macbeth referring to when he says “done this?” An empty stool
23. What does Lady Macbeth say is the problem? Hallucinations are induced by fear
24. Lady Macbeth tell the lords not to do what because it enrages Macbeth in these fits? She tells him not to pay attention to him, hes had these fits since childhood do don’t speak or ask questions
25. She tells them to ignore rank and do what? Leave
26. What behavior of Macduff does Macbeth find unnerving? He refuses to come to the banquet and he refuses to come when he is told to do so
27. Who does Macbeth say he will go visit? The visits the Witches to get another reading
28. Where does Hecate tell the Weird Sisters to meet her in the morning? In the pit by the river in hell
29. Macbeth says, “There’s not a one of them but in his house I keep a servant fee’d.” What does this mean? He has a servant spying on every one of the Lord’s houses (he is paranoid)
30. What does Hecate accuse the Weird Sisters of? Disobeying her
31. What does Hecate say she will spend the night planning? She will plan Macbeth’s downfall
32. What does Hecate say is mortal’s worst enemy? Confidence
33. What is Lennox’s thoughts on what has been happening in Scotland? Strange things will happen
34. What does Lennox say he has heard about Macduff? He is accused of being a traitor
35. According to the Lord, where is Macduff Macduff is in England in the English court requesting the king to help overthrow Macbeth