Macbeth Act III Scenes I-V

In his soliloquy, what suspicion and hope does Banquo reveal? Banquo suspects that Macbeth killed the king and he is hoping that the witches prophecy- that his sons will be king, comes true
Why does Macbeth seem so interested in Banquo’s travel plans? Macbeth was interested in Banquo’s travel plans because he is planning to kill him and his son Fleance. Macbeth is worried that Banquo is going to tell someone about the witches’ prophecy, or that Banquo suspects him of murdering Duncan.
What is the meaning of the sentence, “To be thus nothing…” (lines 47-48) This means that to be king is worthless unless my (Macbeth’s) position as king is safe.
What is there in Banquo’s character that makes Macbeth uneasy? What is there in the situation with Banquo that particularly upsets Macbeth? Macbeth fears his former friend Banquo due to the second part of the witches’ prophecy, stating that it is Banquo’s heirs, not Macbeth’s, who are fated to sit on the Scots throne. Furthermore, Macbeth is concerned about Banquo because Macbeth knows that Banquo is a man of conscience and good character.
What exposition does Shakespeare offer in Macbeth’s conversation with the murders? The audience learns that conditions in Scotland under Macbeth are not good. Macbeth’s subjects are worked to death and their families and descendants are turned into beggars with no hope of rising in status or fortune.
How does Macbeth convince the murders to kill Banquo and Fleance? He tells them that it was Banquo who was the cause of all of their problems.
What does Macbeth tell them to do? The plan is for them to hide on the road, ambush and kill both banquo and Fleance.
In scene II what is the meaning of Lady Macbeth’s opening speech? That it does not profit them to achieve their objective if they live in a constant state of uneasiness and worry. It’s better to be dead like Duncan than live as they have been living since the murder.
In scene II, what is Macbeth’s state of mind? How does Macbeth show how his resolve and ambition have become stronger? Macbeth is depressed and spends a lot of time alone.He regrets his crime but his wife urges him to put it behind him. Before murdering Duncan, Macbeth was pushed on by his wife, but now, he has arranged to have banquo and Fleance killed without the urging of his wife. He also keeps this from Lady Macbeth.
What is significant about Macbeth’s instructions to Lady Macbeth about how to treat Banquo at the state dinner that night? He does not intend for Banquo to attend the feast as Banquo should be dead by then. This also shows how strongly Macbeth has taken control and stopped even confiding in his wife.
In Scene III what happens at the ambush? Banquo is killed but Fleance escapes.
Given the previous scene in which the murders of Banquo and Fleance have been planned, and then the next scene where Fleance escapes, why would Shakespeare choose to dramatize this event even though it is seemingly insignificant? Fleance’s escape does not establish the security of the Weird Sisters’ predictions. Macbeth could not thwat fate and destroy banquo’s line. Also given Jing James I’s descendancy from Banquo, this scene would probably please the king. Finally the murder of Banquo affords Shakespeare with the opportunity to dramatize violence which would have been very popular with his paying audience.
In scene IV how is Shakespeare’s ability to play on words demonstrated in Macbeth’s response to the murder’s saying that it is Banquo’s blood on his face? Line 14 (p252):”‘Tis better thee without than he within . . . ” It’s better for you (thee) to have his blood outside of you (on your face ) than for “he” to have it inside of him (and thus still be alive).
What wordplay is there in the murderer’s reply that Banquo is “safe” now? Macbeth asks if “Banquo’s safe,” meaning is he safely taken care of- dead. The murderer replies that he is “safe in a ditch . . .with twenty gashes on his head.” The use of the word “safe” in these instances is doubly ironic.
The dagger Macbeth saw in Act II, Scene I was a hallucination. Banquo’s ghost in this scene is not. How do we know? When Macbeth sees the dagger, he says (for the audience’s benefit), “Is this a dagger which I see before me, the handle toward my hand?” Shakespeare must have Macbeth announce what he sees because the audience does not see it (it is a hallucination). However, there is no such announcement when Banquo’s ghost enters-even as an aside-so the audience must also see it. Thus it is really there.
What does Lady Macbeth say to Macbeth? She needs him to calm down and stop imagining things. She claims nothing is in his seat and that the way Macbeth is acting makes him seem like a weak, old woman.
What is the significance of the conversation Macbeth and Lady Macbeth have immediately after the guests leave? Macbeth is acknowledging that once one sheds blood , one cannot stop. There is always someone who poses a threat to the murderer’s security. Also, such a crime as murder cannot be kept a secret: stones will move and trees will speak to reveal the murderer. Birds (magpies, crows, and rooks) have been used as omens to reveal guilty persons who have shed others’ blood.
For what reason does Macbeth mention Macduff ‘s name? Macduff didn’t come to the banquet to which he had been invited. Remember that Macduff also did not attend Macbeth’s coronation.
What does Macbeth say he will do next? The next day he will go to the Weird Sisters to find out the worst that is going to happen.
What is Macbeth’s frame of mind? He is resigned to violence-he has shed so much blood, that it is now just as easy to continue on the bloody path as to turn back. He is having strange thoughts that he must act on before he can put them out of mind.
In scene V, who is Hecate, and why is she angry? Hecate is the goddess of witchcraft, and she is angry because the other witches did not consult with her before dealing with Macbeth. She is also angry because their dealings with Macbeth will not profit them at all in the end.
2. What is her (Hecate) plan for Macbeth? She plans on telling him things that will make him feel secure , so that he can be more easily deceived.
In scene VI, how can we interpret Lennox’s speech? When Lennox speculates what Macbeth would do to Malcolm and Donalbain if he had them in Scotland, he interjects, “an’t please heaven, he shall not” (and heaven grant that he won’t [ever get his hands on them]). Likewise, when-at the end of the speech- he directly calls Macbeth a “tyrant,” when explaining that Macduff did not attend the banquet; the audience ) knows that he is being ironic/sarcastic. He does not dare to openly criticize Macbeth, but he is not fooled by the appearance of Malcolm’s, Donalbain’s, and Fleance’s guilt.
What further exposition does Shakespeare offer through the Lord? The Lord explains that under Macbeth’s reign, the Scots “pine for” meat on their tables, sleep at night , and peace and security. Further, the nobility does not feel free to serve their king, nor are they repaid for the services they do perform. Contrast this with how quickly Duncan repaidMacbeth for his services at the beginning of the play.