Act 3 Study Questions

MACBETH - Act III Study Questions Act 3, Scene 1 1. What hope does Banquo maintain? 2. How is Banquo treated by Macbeth and Lady Macbeth? 3. How does Banquo respond? 4. Why does Macbeth fear Banquo? 5. Does Macbeth truly believe the witches’ prophecy? Explain. 6. How does Macbeth persuade the murderers to kill Banquo and Fleance? What reason does he give for wanting to keep secret his connection with the murderers? Act 3, Scene 2 1. What is ironic about Lady Macbeth’s statement, “What’s done is done”? 2. Compare and contrast the feelings of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth in this scene. What changes do you perceive in Macbeth? 3. How does Macbeth now feel about Duncan? How do these feelings contrast with his feelings before the murder of Duncan? Act 3, Scene 3 1. Explain the meaning of the murderer’s statement, “We have lost/ Best half of our affair.” 2. How do the images of light and dark function in this scene? Act 3, Scene 4 1. How does Macbeth behave at the banquet? 2. What does his behavior suggest about his emotional state? How does Lady Macbeth handle the situation? 3. What is the significance of Fleance’s escape? 4. What does Macbeth plan for the day after the banquet? Why? Does he tell Lady Macbeth what he plans to do? 5. What does this suggest about their relationship? 6. Explain the following lines in relation to the development of Macbeth as a character: “I am in blood/Stepped in so far that should I wade no more,/ Returning were as tedious as go o’er.” Act 3, Scene 5 1. Contrast the atmosphere in this scene with that of the preceding scene. 2. Does Scene 5 develop the action of the play? Explain. Act 3, Scene 6 What specific events and persons are discussed by Lennox and another lord in this scene?