Macbeth Act 3 Questions for study

Scene 1:

1. What suspicions does Banquo voice? What does he say that lets us know what he suspects?

2. Who besides Banquo knows of the witches' prophesies?

3. Why does Macbeth question Banquo about his plans?

4. In lines 51-76, what doubts does Macbeth say is troubling him?

5. What does Macbeth tell the murderers about Banquo?

6. According to Macbeth, why does he himself not kill Banquo? (lines 130-138)

7. Who else are the murderers to kill?

Scene 2:

8. What is the meaning of Lady Macbeth's saying: "Naught's had, all's spent,/Where our desire is got without content"?

9. In lines 18-28, from affliction does Macbeth suffer?

10. In line 39, Lady Macbeth says, "You must leave this." What does she mean?

11. Is Lady Macbeth aware that Macbeth has planned the death of Banquo and Fleance?

12. How is the planning of Banquo's murder quite different from that of Duncan's?

Scene 3:

13. Who is murdered in this scene?

14. Who escapes?

15. What is Banquo's dying request of Fleance?

Scene 4:

16. What activity opens this scene?

17. Who joins the assembled group, sitting in Macbeth's place?

18. How does Lady Macbeth explain Macbeth's strange reaction?

19. How does Lady Macbeth respond to Macbeth when he says he sees Banquo's ghost?

20. Why does Lady Macbeth ask everyone to leave?

21. Who refused the banquet invitation?

22. What is Macbeth's plan for the next day?

23. Macbeth says in lines 173-175 what is causing him to be so unsettled emotionally. What does he imply will help him?

Scenes 5 & 6:

24. What does Hecate plan to do?

25. What is implied in Lennox's speech at the beginning of scene 6?

26. Where has Macduff gone?

27. What does he hope to do there?

28. What dramatic purpose does this scene serve?

29. This act marks the turning point for Macbeth's fortunes. At what point does this happen?