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William Shakespeare’s

Macbeth

Act II Questions

  1. What is the central idea of Act II?

2. Why does Lady Macbeth drug Duncan’s servants?

  1. Why doesn’t Lady Macbeth kill Duncan herself?
  1. Discuss the importance of Macbeth’s Act II, scene i soliloquy.
  1. Why do you believe Banquo is the last person Macbeth sees before he kills Duncan?
  1. What sound (both in the play and film) marks Duncan’s death?
  1. Why does Macbeth declare he will “sleep no more”?
  1. What does Macbeth mean when he says that the blood on his hands will redden all the seas?
  1. Read Banquo’s lines on page 304. Why does he believe all parties at Macbeth’s castle need to meet soon?
  1. What is the significance of Donalbain’s statement, “There’s daggers in men’s smiles; the near in blood, the nearer bloody”?
  1. Read lines 10-13 of Act II, scene iv. Determine what metaphor is used to refer to Duncan within the Old Man’s lines. (This statement is not included in the film; you will have to use your textbook.)
  1. What is another name for unrhymed iambic pentameter?

William Shakespeare’s

Macbeth

Act III Questions

  1. Banquo’s speech at the beginning of Act III is an example of…
  1. Summarize Banquo’s ideas in this speech.
  1. Why does Macbeth fear Banquo?
  1. With whom has Macbeth suggested Banquo travel?
  1. Who does Macbeth hire to kill Banquo? What does he offer them?
  1. What is to happen to Fleance? Why?
  1. What does Lady Macbeth mean when she says, “Nought’s had, all’s spent;/Where our desire is got without content:/”?
  1. Who does Macbeth send at the last minute to ensure the murders take place?
  1. What does Macbeth mean when he says, “O, full of scorpions is my mind, dear wife”?
  1. What is the purpose of Act III within the play?
  1. Why is Fleance’s escape important to the drama/action of the play?
  1. Why does this escape create an external conflict for Macbeth?
  1. What does Lady Macbeth believe Macbeth’s friends will think of his outburst at the banquet?
  1. Who is it that Macbeth believes he sees?
  1. What might be the significance of Macbeth being the only character who can see the ghost?
  1. Read lines 131-141 on page 323. Pay close attention to lines 137-139. How do these lines mark a turning point in Macbeth’s internal conflict?
  1. What does Macbeth mean when he says to Lady Macbeth, “We are yet but young in deed”?
  1. Macbeth mentions that the witches told him he would have a “fruitless crown.” What does this mean?
  1. What important event in the plot structure of the play occurs with Fleance’s escape?
  1. In Act III, scene vi, what do we learn Macbeth’s friends are beginning to think about him? (specifically Lennox.)
  1. Where do we learn Macduff has gone?