Macbeth Act 3 Study Guide

What does Banquo feel about Macbeth, and what does he hope for?

He feels suspicious of Macbeth, and he hopes the prophecy about his own children will become true.

On the day of the banquet, Banquo and Fleance are…

on a trip

In order to avoid the prophecy, what does Macbeth do?

hire murderers to kill Banquo and Fleance

Why does Macbeth hold a banquet?

to honor Banquo

Who are the “bloody cousins?”

Malcolm & Donalbain

Why does Macbeth fear Banquo?

because Banquo is very logical, and Macbeth is the opposite

What does the quote “Upon my head they placed a fruitless crown” mean?

Macbeth has no heir to his throne

What does Macbeth tell the murderers to convince them to proceed with the murder?

that Banquo has treated them horribly, ruined their lives, and treated them like dogs (“… hounds and greyhounds, mongrels, spaniels, curs, shoughs, water-rugs, and demi-wolves…”

What is notable about what the murderers thought about what Macbeth told them?

They never considered Banquo’s “mistreatment” until Macbeth said so

Why can’t Macbeth kill Banquo himself?

They will be consequences for killing Banquo himself because they have mutual friends (guilty conscious among friends and risk of friends getting mad)

What motif is apparent in act 3?

sleep & sleeplessness

What does Macbeth say about Duncan?

He says Duncan is lucky for “sleeping well” and not having to worry about anything

Macbeth says '“Be innocent of the knowledge…” to Lady Macbeth. What does this indicate?

Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are growing apart.

The two murderers are joined by…

a third murderer

What does the murderers do with their horses and why?

They left their horses in a place about a mile away because everyone else does it.

“O, treachery! Fly, good Fleance, fly, fly, fly! Thou mayst revenge. O slave!”

(might be an important quote)

Who is killed and who survives?

Banquo and Fleance, respectively.

At the banquet, Banquo’s ghost appears when…

his name is mentioned

What figurative language is included in the following quote? “‘Tis better thee without than he within.”

irony

What figurative language is included in the following quote? “Thou art the best o’ the cutthroats!”

pun

What figurative language is included in the following quote? “Safe in a ditch he bides…”

pun

How many times was Banquo stabbed?

20 times

Being stabbed 20 times was an allusion to…

Julius Ceasar

What does Lady Macbeth tell the guests when Macbeth sees the ghost of Banquo?

She tells them that he’s been having these fits since he was young and to ignore them.

At this point in the play, Macbeth has had how many hallucinations?

2

As Macbeth’s fit continues, what does Lady Macbeth tell the guests to do?

She tells them to leave

What does it mean when Macbeth says “It will have blood, they say: blood will have blood.”

killing someone will have consequences

Why is Macbeth upset at Macduff?

because Macduff didn’t come to his crowning nor his banquet

What does Macbeth do with Macduff?

He places a spy at Macduff’s residence

What does Macbeth plan to do the next day?

He plans on meeting with the witches

What figurative language is included in the following quote? “We are yet but young in deed.”

foreshadowing

Hecate is…

the Goddess of the night, darkness, chaos, witchcraft; “leader” of the witches

Why does Hecate scold the witches?

Hecate scolds the three witches as they had played tricks on Macbeth without her being aware, let alone involved. Hecate wants to be involved in the ruining of Macbeth thus being frustrated that the witches did not involve her.

What do the witches plan on doing with Macbeth?

They plan on misleading Macbeth

What is “mortals’ chiefest enemy?”

security

Who does Lennox and another Scottish lord suspect killed Banquo?

Fleance (for fleeing - similar to Malcolm and Donalbain)