Act 3 Study Questions

ACT 3 Study Questions

Scene 1

1) What is Banquo’s opening soliloquy about? Please translate it line by line. 
He is suspicious about Macbeth and knows that Macbeth must of done something foul; witches propchey came true.

2) Why does Macbeth wish Banquo dead (name at least 2 reasons)—look at his speech in lines 50-76?
Macbeth is suspicious of Banquo and doesn't trust him; thinks Banquo is going against him wanting the crown for himself.

3) What is significant about the following quote, “For them the gracious Duncan I have murder;/ Put rancors in the vessel of my peace/ only for them,”
Macbeth has killed the holy Duncan, chosen from God, but he must be king in safety.

4) How does Macbeth convince the murders?
Macbeth speaks in prose, to win the Murderer's confidence; trying to convince them that Banquo is their enemy and not Macbeth.

Scene 2

1) What is significant about the quote, “We have scotched the snake not killed it./ She’ll close and be herself, whilst our poor malice/ remains in danger of the former tooth.” What does Macbeth mean?
The plan of killing Duncan was ssuccesful, but they really haven't killed Duncan (Banquo still fights for Duncan) They are in danger because of Banquo.

2) Why does Macbeth tell his wife, “Be innocent of the knowledge dearest chuck,/ till thou applaud the deed.”? Be stupid and don't be smart for its too dangerous to give even the slightest hint that they killed Duncan and are planning to kill Banquo.

3) What is significant in the quote, “Come, seeling night, Scarf up the tender eye of pitiful day,/ and with bloody and invisible hand/ cancel and tear to pieces that great bond/ which keeps me pale.” What is Macbeth saying and what is the great bond? Inviting evil spirits to keep everything together and cancel fear and the bond he has with Banquo.

4) Explain the symbolism of crows, night and sleep in this scene. What does it suggest?
Crows symbolize death and are known to come out of the night, but sleep represents a dead cropse (Banquo) Murders on their way to kill Banquo.

Scene 3

1) What happens in this scene? What is botched?
Banquo tells Fleance to escape and the murders kill Banquo.

Scene 4

1) What event is most important in this scene?
Macbeth sees the ghost of Banquo sitting in his chair.


2) Why does Macbeth say, “There the grown serpent lies; the worm that’s fled/ hath nature that in time will venom breed,/ no teeth for the present.” What is he talking about? Who is he talking about?
Fleance will in time become a great threat to Macbeth.


3) What is significant about Banquo’s ghost? What does it suggest? How does Macbeth react to it? Is it real or in Macbeth’s mind? Banquo's ghost sits in the king's chair. It suggest that soon Macbeth will fall. Macbeth freaks out and doesn't know if the guest are playing tricks on him. It can be both.

4) Discuss how blood is used in this scene
Blood is used as a symbol of what Macbeth is doing in order to get what he wants in order to reach his goal. His hands will never be "clean".

? What does it symbolize?
Macbeth's hands will never be "clean".

5) How does Lady Macbeth react to Macbeth’s visions?
Lady Macbeth starts to freak out herself, but Macbeth tells her that's okay and that he will take care of everything.

Scene 5

1) Most critics think this scene was placed into Macbeth by a different/later author (someone other Shakespeare). Do you agree or not? Why? Yes, there was no way Shakespeare would use words like "saucy" or "angerly". Shakespeare would also not use words like "fear" and "bear" to rhyme, when they don't even rhyme.

Scene 6

1) What does Lennox say in this scene about Fleance and Banquo?
Lennox says that Fleance his killed Banquo and fled from Macbeth.

2) What would have happened to Duncan's sons if Macbeth had them under lock and key?
Macbeth would either probably kill him for murder of their father or have them face jail time.

3) Where did MacDuff go?
Macduff went to far far away from Macbeth.