William Shakespeare pp. 193–277

Macbeth Act III

Introduction Scene I Banquo recalls the witches’ prophecies and expresses fear about Macbeth’s means of acquiring the throne. Banquo recalls the witches’ prophecies and expresses fear about Macbeth’s means of acquiring the throne.

Introduction Scene I The Macbeths, now king and queen, invite the general to a banquet. The Macbeths, now king and queen, invite the general to a banquet.

Introduction Scene I Macbeth learns that Banquo and Fleance will travel away that day and return for the banquet near nightfall. Macbeth learns that Banquo and Fleance will travel away that day and return for the banquet near nightfall.

Introduction Scene I In soliloquy Macbeth reveals his resent- ment toward Banquo. In soliloquy Macbeth reveals his resent- ment toward Banquo. He conspires for the extinction of Banquo and Fleance. He conspires for the extinction of Banquo and Fleance.

Introduction Scene II Lady Macbeth is remorseful and unhappy. Lady Macbeth is remorseful and unhappy. She conceals her anguish from Macbeth and encourages him. She conceals her anguish from Macbeth and encourages him.

Introduction Scene II They agree to take comfort in the fact that Banquo and Fleance cannot live eternally. They agree to take comfort in the fact that Banquo and Fleance cannot live eternally.

Introduction Scene II Macbeth avoids telling her of the plot to destroy them as he vows to persist in his evil course until he has found security. Macbeth avoids telling her of the plot to destroy them as he vows to persist in his evil course until he has found security.

Introduction Scene III The two murderers have been joined by a third, sent by Macbeth apparently to insure the success of the ambush. The two murderers have been joined by a third, sent by Macbeth apparently to insure the success of the ambush.

Introduction Scene III They assault Banquo, but Fleance escapes as his father dies. They assault Banquo, but Fleance escapes as his father dies.

Introduction Scene IV The Macbeths seat their noble guests according to rank at the banquet. The Macbeths seat their noble guests according to rank at the banquet.

Introduction Scene IV The First Murderer informs Macbeth of the success and failure of their venture and this news puts him into a reverie. The First Murderer informs Macbeth of the success and failure of their venture and this news puts him into a reverie.

Introduction Scene IV His wife arouses him to attend to his guests. His wife arouses him to attend to his guests. Macbeth sees Banquo’s ghost, invisible to everyone else. Macbeth sees Banquo’s ghost, invisible to everyone else.

Introduction Scene IV This is the first of a series of hallucinations to which he reacts with a horror that puzzles the others. This is the first of a series of hallucinations to which he reacts with a horror that puzzles the others.

Introduction Scene IV Lady Macbeth attributes his erratic behavior to an illness suffered since youth. Lady Macbeth attributes his erratic behavior to an illness suffered since youth. Privately she rebukes him. Privately she rebukes him.

Introduction Scene IV The ghost reappears and he experiences another relapse. The ghost reappears and he experiences another relapse. Lady Macbeth intervenes and dismisses the guests. Lady Macbeth intervenes and dismisses the guests.

Introduction Scene IV Left alone with him, she senses his tortured state and suggests that sleep will cure his anxiety. Left alone with him, she senses his tortured state and suggests that sleep will cure his anxiety.

Introduction Scene IV Macbeth believes that his remorse is simply that of the novice in crime. Macbeth believes that his remorse is simply that of the novice in crime.

Introduction Scene IV He will not turn back but will wade even deeper into the stream of violence until his conscience has been drowned. He will not turn back but will wade even deeper into the stream of violence until his conscience has been drowned.

Introduction Scene V Hecate descends to rebuke the witches for prophesying to Macbeth without first consulting her. Hecate descends to rebuke the witches for prophesying to Macbeth without first consulting her.

Introduction Scene V She summons them to meet her in the morning,... She summons them to meet her in the morning,...

Introduction Scene V at which time he will come to learn of his destiny and they will delude him with a sense of security. at which time he will come to learn of his destiny and they will delude him with a sense of security.

Introduction Scene VI With another lord, Lennox reviews Macbeth’s crimes and discusses Macduff’s flight to England. With another lord, Lennox reviews Macbeth’s crimes and discusses Macduff’s flight to England.

Introduction Scene VI The king has graciously received them and they hope to be aided in their preparations to march against Macbeth. The king has graciously received them and they hope to be aided in their preparations to march against Macbeth.

Introduction Scene VI Macbeth has summoned Macduff to appear before him to no effect. Macbeth has summoned Macduff to appear before him to no effect.

Introduction Scene VI The sympathies of Lennox and the lord lie fully with the rebels. The sympathies of Lennox and the lord lie fully with the rebels.

Thought and Discussion 1. What reasons for feeling unsafe does Macbeth give in Scene i?

Thought and Discussion 1. In Scene ii how does his refusal to reveal his plans to Lady Macbeth reveal a reversal of former roles?

Thought and Discussion 1. What effect has Duncan’s murder apparently had on each of them?

Thought and Discussion 2. Why do you think Macbeth sends the Third Murderer to help kill Banquo and Fleance?

Thought and Discussion 2. In what way do the murderers fail, and how significant do you think the failure is?

Thought and Discussion 2. In Scene iv, line 28, to whom does the word worm refer, and what implication does Macbeth make by using the term?

Thought and Discussion 3. To whom is Macbeth speaking in Scene iv, lines 49–50?

Thought and Discussion 3. What similarities do you see between Macbeth’s earlier vision of the dagger and his vision of Banquo’s ghost?

Thought and Discussion 3. How does Lady Macbeth attempt to bring him back to reality, and of what earlier incident do her words remind you?

Thought and Discussion 4. What does Macbeth mean in Scene iv, line 121, when he says, “Blood will have blood”?

Thought and Discussion 4. Find another example of Macbeth’s statement of this idea in his opening soliloquy in Act I, Scene vii.

Thought and Discussion 4. Why does Macbeth feel that he must speak to the witches again?

Thought and Discussion 4. Do you consider his assessment of his situation in Scene iv, lines 135–37, a valid motive for his continuation of evil?

Thought and Discussion 5. What is the function of Scene vi? Which of the other concluding scenes that you have read serves a similar purpose?

Assignment Type assignment here.