Macbeth Discussion Questions – Act III.

Instructions: Answer the following questions for each scene. Include specific quotations and references (Act, Scene, Lines) wherever possible to support your opinions. Be prepared to discuss the questions in class and add to your own written answers.

Act III, sc. i. Forres. The Palace.

39. What evidence is there in this scene that Banquo a) suspects Macbeth of the murder of Duncan? b) is planning to make the prophecy come true?

40. Compare and contrast Macbeth’s soliloquy about Banquo (III.i.48-72) with his Act I soliloquy about Duncan (I.vii.1-28). What does this tell us about Macbeth’s changed nature?

41. Select and explain two examples of dramatic irony in this scene.

Act III, sc. ii.

42. What evidence may be gathered from this scene to support the idea that Lady Macbeth’s earlier faint (II.iii.126) was, in fact, genuine?

43. Show by means of definite examples that the relationship between Macbeth and his wife has altered.

44. What indication is there in this scene of a) Macbeth’s growing ruthlessness? b) his tormented conscience?

45. What is the main dramatic purpose served by this scene? (Refer to your notes regarding “the techniques of drama.”)

Act III, sc. iii. A Park Near the Palace.

46. Give reasons to support the view that the murder of Banquo is the crisis of the play (refer to your notes regarding “the structure of a Shakespearean tragedy”). b) In what respects is the escape of Fleance the turning point? c) How or why should both events be considered part of one incident?

47. Why might Banquo’s murder scene be more effective on the screen than on stage?

48. To what extent did Banquo deserve his fate?

49. Which do you regard as the greater crime, the murder of Duncan or the murder of Banquo? Give reasons for your answer.

Act III, sc. iv. Hall in the Palace.

50. What methods and arguments are used by Lady Macbeth to restore Macbeth to normalcy?

51. How successful is Lady Macbeth in her attempts to save her husband from giving himself away?

52. Of what importance is it that a) Macbeth’s thoughts turn at this time to Macduff? b) he is determined to seek out the weird sisters?

Act III, sc. v. The Heath.

53. What details in this scene link it with what has come before in the play?

54. Why might many productions of Macbeth choose to entirely eliminate this scene?

Act III, sc. vi. Forres. The Palace.

55. What information are we given about Malcolm, Macduff, Edward the Confessor (King of England from 1042-1066), and Siward in this scene?

56. How does scene provide an effective conclusion to Act III?

57. By means of at least three examples, show that Lennox’s speech, lines 1-24, is heavily ironic.