Act Three

Act Three

Summary and Questions

Relation of Macbeth to the Plot of the Play

-Questions-

1) In Scene I, what are Banquo's thoughts about the witches prohecies?

- He believes the withhes because of Macbeth's prophecies.

2) What are Macbeth's thoughts about the prophecies?

- Macbeth is concerned and worried about the people he has killed.

3) What two people are the murderers told to kill?

- Banquo and Fleance.

4) Why is it necessary to kill them both?

-He had to kill them both because Fleance is Banquo's son and Banquo is the father of the kings.

5) What goes wrong with the murderers' plan?

- He killed Banquo but Fleance escaped.

6) Why does Macbeth want to see the witches again?

- Because their predictions came true, so he wants to know what's next.

7) What does Lady Macbeth think Macbeth needs the most?

- Sleep.

8) In Scene VI, what reason does Lennox give for Macduff's being in disgrace?

- Because Macduff didn't attend the banquet.

9) What is Macduff trying to accomplish in England?

- He is trying to get an army together to overtake Macbeth.

10) Macbeth's soliloquy in Scene I shows that his attitude toward those who stand in his way has changed. Recall the soliloquy prior to Duncan's murder. What change or changes have occured?

- He lost his morals,killing to get what he wants, he begins listening to his wife, and he is a coward.

11) How does Macbeth's technique of persuading the murderers resemble Lady Macbeth's earlier method of persuading Macbeth?

- Lady Macbeth question's Macbeth's manhood similar to Macbeth questioning the murderers' manhood. In order to get what you want, do what it takes, in this case kill.

12) How has the relationship between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth changes?

- Macbeth has drown to himself and the relationship is turning for the worst. He is only worried about himself.

13) Events at the banquet show that Macbeth can no longer pretend to be innocent. What evidence is there that he will continue to kill those who threaten him?

- Because he has gone too far to turn back now because he has killed so many.

-Summary-

Banquo is questioning himself and becoming fearful that the three witches' prophecies are being acted out around him. Banquo can’t help but think that maybe Macbeth killed King Duncan to make the prediction true. Macbeth repetitively asks Banquo of his travel plans and those of his son. Macbeth worries that Banquo's sons will mean his dynasty may soon end because his sons’ hope of being in charge is shattered knowing that Banqo’s sons are next in line after him. Macbeth lets pressure get to him, and he arranges for several murderers to kill Banquo and Fleance to ensure his sons and not Banquo's become future kings. After talking with Macbeth, Lady Macbeth is disappointed in her husband because he is filled with guilt once again. Banquo is killed, but his son Fleance somehow escapes. This ruins the whole plan because the witches’ prediction may still come true. The first murderer lets Macbeth know of this mistake and he hallucinates seeing Banquo's ghost at his party sitting in his chair. Lady Macbeth cuts the night short to keep Macbeth’s reputation and to leave no evidence of the prior deeds. Macbeth goes on about how the blood remains on his hands. In this act we learn that Macduff has gone to England to begin war preparation because of the suspicion about Macbeth.

Macbeth