Macbeth

Study Guide – Act III

Understanding the Play

Scene 1

  1. When Act III opens, what is Banquo thinking about?

The witches’ prophecy that he will father kings

  1. Macbeth says that he fears no one but Banquo. Why does Macbeth fear Banquo?

Macbeth fears Banquo because of the prophecy that Banquo will father kings and because Banquo is wise, daring, and cautious.

  1. What does Macbeth mean when he says, “To be thus is nothing,/But to be safely thus”?

Macbeth means that to be a king is not very great if one lives in fear of losing the position. To secure his position as monarch, Macbeth feels he must be rid of Banquo.

Scene 2

  1. In Scene 2, both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth voice regret for their actions. How are their thoughts similar?

Both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth feel that death would be better than living in constant fear and uncertainty.

  1. What does Macbeth mean when he tells Lady Macbeth they must “make our faces vizards to our heart,/Disguising what they are”? What earlier advice of Lady Macbeth’s does he echo>? What theme of the play does this line tie into?

Macbeth is saying they must hide their worries and evil deeds by their facial expressions. This line is similar to the advice Lady Macbeth gave to Macbeth in Act I, Scene V, when she told him to conceal his heart with a mask on his face. This line also ties into both the “fair is foul” and “appearances can be deceiving” themes. Macbeth and his wife will mask their foul objectives with fair expressions on their faces.

Scene 3

  1. Why does Macbeth want to kill Banquo’s son, Fleance?

Macbeth remembers that the witches foretold that Banquo’s sons would be kings. With Banquo and his son dead, Macbeth’s son will rule; however, Fleance escapes the murderers.

Scene 4

  1. In what ways is Banquo a foil to Macbeth?

The purpose of a foil is to emphasize the qualities of the main character by contrast. Banquo is a foil to Macbeth in that the two are essentially the same. Both are great warriors who receive an extraordinary prophecy from the Witches. However, Banquo’s reaction to the prophecies stands in stark contrast to Macbeth’s and emphasizes the extremity of Macbeth’s behavior. Instead of committing terrible deeds to force the prophecy to come true, as Macbeth does, Banquo maintains his character. This shows Macbeth’s cruelty and ambition through contrast with Banquo’s nobility.

  1. Name one example of dramatic irony during Macbeth’s banquet remarks about Banquo.

Just before Banquo’s ghost appears, Macbeth says that he wishes that Banquo were present.

Scene 5

  1. Why is Hecate angry in Scene 5?

Because the witches never consulted with her before they spoke to Macbeth and because Macbeth does not revere the witches.

Scene 6

  1. Macduff has gone to England. Why?

Macduff plans to ask the King to raise an army to restore Scotland to order.

  1. According to the Lord, what problems are plaguing Scotland? What is the source of these troubles?

The Lord indicates the people of Scotland no longer have meat on their tables, are unable to sleep at nights, and are experiencing violence at their feasts. Both Lennox and the Lord blame the country’s troubles on Macbeth, whom they believe is cursing the land.

Responding to Literature

  1. Explain what Macbeth means when he says, “Upon my head they placed a fruitless crown./And put a barren scepter in my gripe… (Scene 1, lines 61-62)

Macbeth is frustrated by the witches’ prophecies because they damn him to have no heirs to the throne, while grain Banquo’s kin the inheritance of Macbeth’s crown. Macbeth feels if he does not produce and heir to the throne then he has damned his own soul for no reason by killing Duncan; the murder will be only for the benefit of Banquo’s sons. Macbeth is determined to stop the succession of Banquo’s sons to the throne. He believes he can prevent Fate from occurring and challenges it to a battle.