Macbeth
By William Shakespeare
Act III – Study Guide
ACT III – SCENE I
Macbeth is now King of Scotland.
1. What does Banquo review to us in his opening speech?
In their conversation Macbeth learns that Banquo is going on a mission and Fleance (Banquo’s son) will be going with him. Macbeth wishes Banquo a safe trip and tells him be sure to return in time for the coronation feast that evening. Macbeth is again left with his thoughts –Lines 47 – 71 comprise the third of Macbeth’s four soliloquies in the play. This one shows his uneasy state of mind and his determination to thwart or block the witches’ prophecy that Banquo will be the father of kings.
2. COMPLET THE FOLLOWING PARAPHRASE OF MACBETH’S SOLILOQUY BY FILLING IN THE BLANKS.
To be king means nothing unless I am secure in the position. I
have deep ______about Banquo and his
______Banquo is not only daring and
courageous, but he has ______to guide him to act
in ______. Banquo is the only one I ______and my
own ______(conscience) is
______(scolded) by him just as ______
______was by Caesar. He challenged the
______when they put the name of
______upon me, and told them to ______
______; then they like a ______hailed
______as the father to ______
______. The ______said that I would
become ______, but have no successor of my own blood. If
this is true, then I have defiled my ______, murdered
the ______disturbed all of my
______and my ______(soul) I
have given to the common ______
(devil). I did all of this to make way for the ______of
______to be kings ______. Rather than let
that happen I will fight against ______(witches’
prophecy) to the death!
Macbeth proceeds to hire some murderers to attack and kill Banquo and his son, Fleance, on the road.
ACT III – SCENE II
Lady Macbeth emerges as a lonely, pathetic figure. She no longer takes a lead in making plans; her husband now assumes that role. Her close relationship with Macbeth no longer exists. (She knows nothing of Macbeth’s plans to murder Banquo and Fleance.) Macbeth has become a prisoner of evil who suffers from the fear of discovery by day and the torments of nightmares by night. The ill-gotten crown has brought only mental anguish to Macbeth and Lady Macbeth.
1. Quote the lines that show that Macbeth and Lady Macbeth have reversed roles in their relationship as compared to Act I when King Duncan’s murder was planned.
2. What do you think Macbeth means when he says: “Things bad begun make strong themselves by ill.”?
ACT III - SCENE III
1. What went wrong with Macbeth’s plot to have Banquo and Fleance murdered?
2. How does this relate to the witches’ prophecy?
ACT III - SCENE IV
1. What ironic event marks the climax of this play?
2. What two things does Macbeth now plan to do? Why?
a)
b)
ACT III - SCENE V
1. How does this scene reveal Macduff as the possible nemesis of Macbeth?