MACBETHAct III

III.i

How does Banquo react to Macbeth’s being king? He is afraid that Macbeth has killed King

Duncan (“I fear thou play’d most foully for’t.”) What does he suspect has happened to

Duncan? See above.

III.i

What does Macbeth learn from Banquo in lines 19-38? Why does he want to know it? That Banquo and Fleance (Banquo’s son) will be

out riding until supper He plans to kill them both

What does he say about Malcolm and Donalbain in lines 31-34? They are “murderous” (he’s reiterating their

guilt) They are spreading rumors (“filling their hearers

with strange inventions”; probably the truth about what happened.)

III.i

Read Macbeth’s soliloquy in lines 49-73 carefully. What is bothering Macbeth? The witches prophecy about Banquo’s

becoming king. How does Macbeth get the two murderers

to agree to kill Banquo? Has he told them the truth about Banquo and himself? He says that Banquo has stood in their way of

successful promotion (“held [them] so under fortune”). He has not told the truth.

III.i

What has brought the murderers to be willing to do a deed like this? Macbeth has fed them rumors. Macbeth has made them promises of greater

fortune if they do it. They say life is so bad for them that there’s

really no risk in doing it; i.e., life can’t get any worse, so why not?

III.ii

How much does Macbeth tell Lady Macbeth about his fears? How much does he tell her about what he plans to do? Does she know as much as we know at this point? He doesn’t tell her directly of his plans to kill

Banquo and Fleance. He only says that his mind is troubled, and that something very terrible is going to happen before nightfall. He says he doesn’t want to tell her the details because it will trouble her too much.

III.iii

How do the two murderers respond to the third one? They decide they can trust him since he

knows the details of their plan. How does the third one explain his

presence? He says Macbeth sent him.

How successful is their mission? They kill Banquo, but Fleance escapes.

III.iv

During the banquet, what does Macbeth learn from the First Murderer? How does that affect Macbeth’s participation in the banquet? He learns of Fleance’s escape. It disturbs

Macbeth greatly. What appears in scene iv? Who can see

it? Banquo’s ghost. Only Macbeth can see it.

III.iv What “trick” does it play on Macbeth? How

does Macbeth respond? It takes Macbeth’s seat at the table just as he’s

said he wishes Banquo were there. Macbeth is very disturbed. He talks to the ghost

saying it cannot blame him for the murder. How does Lady Macbeth explain his

response to him? To the guests? She says it is a figment of his imagination

caused by his fear and guilt. She tells the guest it is a momentary fit, a

sickness, and will soon pass if they ignore it.

III.iv

What does Macbeth find strange? That the dead come back to life

What happens to the banquet? It breaks up after Macbeth continues ranting

about seeing Banquo’s ghost. Who is the next problem person

mentioned? Macduff, who has not come to the feast

How well does Macbeth trust his followers? He doesn’t; he has a spy in every house

III.iv

Where will he go tomorrow and what does he want to find out? He will visit the witches. He wants to find out

what’s going to happen now. How does Lady Macbeth diagnose his

infirmity? She says he needs a good night’s sleep.

III.v

What is Hecate’s complaint to the witches? They have not included her in their dealings with

Macbeth. They have helped Macbeth, who only seeks his

own reward, not to help their evil causes. What does she tell them to do?

Meet her at the pit of Acheron in the morning and bring their best spells and charms with them

What will happen tomorrow? Where? Macbeth will seek them to find out his fate and

they will lure him to his destruction by making him overly confident.

III.vi

Why is Lennox talking in such an indirect way to the other lord? He is unsure whom he can trust.

What is Lennox trying to tell him? What might he be trying to learn about him? That Macbeth is responsible for King Duncan’s

murder, as well as Banquo’s and the guards. He wants to find out how the lord feels about

the situation; does he agree?

III.vi

What has happened to Macduff? He has gone to England to try to get King

Edward to help fight against Macbeth. What is the function of this scene in the

play? To show that the tide is turning; the people no

longer trust Macbeth and they are planning to action to overthrow him and reclaim the throne of Scotland for a rightful king.