Macbeth Act 3

act 3 of macbeth is the _______________ point of the action

turning

act 3 is about what?

getting what you want but not having good feelings about it

in act 3, did macbeth know what the power of being king would be like/feel like?

no, he didn't because he never stopped to think that through

in act 3, what type of decision making is macbeth's mindset?

paranoid decision making

in act 3, what is macbeth's main obstacle?

banquo & fleance

in act 3, why is banquo one of macbeth's main obstacles?

bc banquo was there for the predictions, so he knows macbeth's motives and knows what he has to do to fulfill his prophecy

in act 3, why is fleance one of macbeth's main obstacles?

bc banquo's prophecy was that his sons will be kings. fleance is a threat to the throne

in act 3, T OR F? macbeth acts impulsively because he is insecure

true

in act 3.1, banquo says, ". . . But that myself should be the root and father of many kings. if there come truth from them--as upon thee, macbeth, their speeches shine--why, by the verities on thee made good, may they not be my oracles as well and set me up in hope?" (lines 5-10, pg 310).
what is banquo saying here?

banquo says that he fears the power macbeth holds is foul (bad). he says if the prophecy of macbeth becoming king came true, then my (banquo's) prophecy should happen. *important to note that banquo does know the details of the prophecies*

in act 3.1, who says this? what is happening when it's being said? who's it being spoken to? what does it mean?
"We hear our bloody cousins are bestowed in England and in Ireland, not confessing their cruel parricide, filling their hearers with strange invention. but of that tomorrow, when therewithal we shall have cause of state craving us jointly. hie you to to horse. adieu. till you return at night. goes Fleance with you?" (3.1.29-35).

- said by macbeth
- spoken to banquo
- what's happening is banquo and macbeth have just discussed the dinner that will take place at macbeth's house
- this quote means--> macbeth acknowledges he knows where donalbain and malcolm are and shames them for not confessing to murder. macbeth says he'll see banquo tonight at dinner. *macbeth asks about fleance bc he wants to make sure he knows where fleance and banquo are so he can kill them*

in act 3.1, who says this? what is happening when it's being said? who's it being spoken to? what does it mean?
". . . they hailed him father to a line of kings. upon my head they placed a fruitless crown and put a barren scepter in my gripe, thence to be wrenched with an unlineal hand, no son of mine succeeding. if'd be so, for banquo's issue have i filed my mind; for them the gracious duncan have I murdered; put rancors in the vessel of my peace . . ." (3.1.60-66).

- said by macbeth
- spoken to macbeth himself
- what's happening is macbeth's talking to himself about how he has no heir
- this quote means--> macbeth realizes he has no heir and because of this, he doesn't know how long he'll have the crown. he says he has a fruitless crown because no one else in his family will have it bc there is no heir. *macbeth fears that the crown will be his for only a short period of time*

in act 3.1, T OR F? macbeth doesn't hire hitmen to kill banquo and fleance. macbeth feels he can do it himself

false. macbeth DOES hire hitmen to kill banquo and fleance

in act 3.1, why does macbeth choose to hire hitmen?

bc he believes it'll make him more suspicious if he kills fleance and banquo himself

in act 3.1, T OR F? lady macbeth is not there when macbeth hires hitmen

true. lady macbeth doesn't know that macbeth has hired anyone and doesn't even know that macbeth has this murder plan

in act 3.1, what is the significance of macbeth not telling lady macbeth that he's hiring hitmen?

the significance is that macbeth is getting more comfortable with murder plots

in act 3.1, who says this? who's it being spoken to? what is happening when it's being said? what does it mean?
"well then, now have you considered of my speeches? know that it was he in the times past, which held you so under fortune, which you thought had been our innocent self: this I made good to you in our last conference; passed in probation with you, who wrought with them, and all things else that might half a soul and to a notion crazed say 'Thus did Banquo'" (3.1.75-84).

- said by macbeth
- spoken to the murderers
- what's happening is macbeth is meeting with the murderers and asking them if they have considered doing what he has asked of them (killing banquo & fleance)
- this quote means--> macbeth tells the murderers that banquo is the reason why they have miserable lives. this gives the hitmen a motive to want to kill them

in act 3.1, who says this? who's it being spoken to? what is happening when it's being said? what does it mean?
"so he is mine, and in such bloody distance that every minute of his being thrusts against my near'st of life; and though I could with barefaced power sweep him from my sight and bid my will avouchfit, yet I must not, for certain friends that are both his and mine, whose loves i may not drop, but wail his fall who i myself struck down: and thence it is that i to your assistance do make love, masking the business from the common eye for sundry weighty reasons" (3.1.116-126).

- said by macbeth
- spoken to the murderers
- what's happening is macbeth is convincing the murderers that banquo is their common enemy
- this quote means--> macbeth says that since he is now king, he can now hire people to murder for him. *macbeth wants to avoid more guilt which is why he hires murderers*

in act 3.1, do the murderers know of macbeth's prophecies?

no

in act 3.1, macbeth wants to kill banquo because he's a threat. why is banquo a threat?

because he knows of the prophecies

in act 3.2, who says this? who's it being spoken to? what's happening when it's being said? what does it mean?
"nought's had, all's spent, where out desire is got without content: 'tis safer to be that which we destroy that by destruction dwell in doubtful joy. how now, my lord! why do you keep alone, of sorriest fancies your companions making, using those thoughts which should indeed have died with them they think on? things without all remedy should be without regard: what's done is done" (3.2.9-12).

- said by lady macbeth
- spoken to macbeth
- what's happening is lady macbeth is speaking to macbeth about how actions are what they are despite the consequences
- this quote means--> lady macbeth realizes that queenship is dissatisfying for her and miserable. she's not content. she realizes she was happier when she had little power. she realizes that she has what she wanted, but it's not as good as she thought it would be. she says it's really better to be dead than to be miserable

in act 3.2, who says this? who's it being spoken to? what is happening when it's being said? what does it mean?
"we have scotched the snake, not killed it: she'll close and be herself, whilst our poor malice remains in danger of her former tooth. but let the frame of things disjoint, both the worlds suffer ere we will eat our meal in fear, and sleep in the affliction of these terrible dreams that shake us nightly: better be with the dead, whom we, to gain our peace, have sent to peace, than on the torture of the mind to lie in restless ecstasy. duncan is in his grave; after life's fitful fever he sleeps well. treason has done his worst: nor steel, nor poison, malice domestic, foreign levy, nothing, can touch him further" (3.2.13-26).

- said by macbeth
- spoken to lady macbeth
- what's happening is macbeth has just finished talking to the murderers and now talks to lady macbeth about duncan's death
- this quote means--> duncan is dead and at peace and macbeth says he wants to be dead like duncan because being dead is better than having sleepless nights

in 3.2, T OR F? lady macbeth and macbeth are both mentally ill

true

in 3.2, why do we say that lady macbeth and macbeth are mentally ill?

because they both think/are paranoid that people are always watching them because of their guilt

in 3.2, T OR F? macbeth says that from now on, he will tell lady macbeth how he wants her to act instead of her telling him how to act

true

in act 3.2, who says this? who's it being spoken to? what is happening when it's being said? what does it mean?
"So shall I, love; and so, I pray, be you: let your remembrance apply to Banquo; present him eminence, both with eye and tongue; our honors in these flattering streams and make our faces vizards to our hearts, disguising what they are" (3.2.29-34).

- said by macbeth
- spoken to lady macbeth
- what's happening is lady macbeth and macbeth are getting ready for the dinner party
- this quote means--> macbeth tells lady macbeth to put on a mask (false appearance) to the guests at the party. he tells her to do this so that no one will suspect anything of them. macbeth reveals in these lines that he's now ready to present a false face, where before he found it hard

in 3.2, why doesn't macbeth tell lady macbeth about his murder plan?

macbeth thinks that lady macbeth will ruin the plan. macbeth may also be trying to impress his wife with carrying out a murder plan without her help. also could be his lack of trust in her

in 3.2, what does macbeth mean when he mentions "the great bond"?
". . . and with thy bloody and invisible hand cancel and tear to pieces that great bond . . ." (3.2.48-49).

the great bond macbeth references is the bond between banquo and fate

in 3.3, why are there now 3 murderers instead of 2?

macbeth is paranoid with his murder plan, so he hires another murderer to make sure his plan gets carried out

in 3.3, banquo says, "o, treachery! fly, good fleance, fly, fly, fly!" (3.3.18). who's banquo yelling at to run away and why is it significant that hitmen kill banquo instead of macbeth?

banquo yells at fleance to run away. hitmen murdering is significant because it's now suspicious to think the guards killed duncan bc there are hitmen, so they might've actually killed duncan.

in 3.3, in what way is macbeth's paranoia justified of being worried about the murder plan not getting done?

fleance runs away, so his paranoia is justified because the murderers let fleance get away

in 3.4, banquo is murdered in a very bloody way. what does all the blood say about macbeth?

it says that macbeth is becoming ruthless in order to keep his power

in 3.4, macbeth is unhinged and feels stuck by his _______________ and __________________

guilt, anxiety

in 3.4, at the dinner party, the beginning is in __________________ and the end is in __________________

order, chaos

in 3.4, at the dinner party, the beginning is in order because everyone enters in by _________

rank

in 3.4, at the dinner party, T OR F? everything is in order and everyone leaves in their ranks

false. everything is in chaos and no one leaves by their rank. they all hurry out

in 3.4, at the dinner party, ____ ______________ enters which is macbeth's hallucination

a ghost

in 3.4, at the dinner party, when the ghost appears, it's a reflection of macbeth's ________________ _______________

internal guilt

in 3.4, who says this? who's it being spoken to? what is happening when it's being said? what does it mean?
"then comes my fit again: i had else been perfect, whole as the marble, founded as the rock. as broad and general as the casing air: but now i am cabined, cribbed, confined, bound into saucy doubts and fears. --but banquo's safe?" (3.4.22-26).

- said by macbeth
- macbeth speaks to himself
- what's happening is macbeth has just been told by the murderers that they killed banquo, but fleance has escaped
- this quote means--> macbeth says he had the perfect murder plan. macbeth says he is now trapped by his doubts and fears unlike banquo who is safe only because he is dead

in 3.4, what is the climax?

the murderers telling macbeth that fleance escaped

in 3.4, who says this? who's it being spoken to? what is happening when it's being said? what does it mean?
"thanks for that. there the grown serpent lies; the worm that's fled hath nature that in time will venom breed, no teeth th' present. get thee gone. tomorrow we'll hear ourselves again" (3.4.29-33).

- said by macbeth
- macbeth speaks to himself
- what's happening is the murderers have told macbeth how they have brutally killed banquo but fleance has escaped
- this quote means--> macbeth reasons that there is no immediate danger coming for him. since fleance is so young he won't be king yet, so macbeth believes he still has time to fix the problem. he reasons that no one is going to take fleance seriously because he is so young.
*note that macbeth only says, "thanks", when hearing of his "bff" being killed*

in 3.4, who says this? who's it being spoken to? what is happening when it's being said? what does it mean?
"sit, worthy friends. my lord is often thus, and hath been from his youth. pray you, keep seat. he will again be well. if much you note him, you shall offend him and extend his passion. feed, and regard him not." (3.4.54-58).

- said by lady macbeth
- spoken to the dinner party guests
- what's happening is macbeth is seeing the ghost of banquo and is acting very unusual at the dinner party
- this quote means--> lady macbeth tries to make macbeth's outbursts normal by saying that he does this all the time. this is a lie. she says to just ignore him or else they will make it worse

in 3.4, lady macbeth is very embarrassed of macbeth. what does she say to the guests about macbeth acting crazy?

lady macbeth says that macbeth does this all the time (she's lying)

in 3.4, who says this? who's it being spoken to? what is happening when it's being said? what does it mean?
"blood hath been shed ere now, i 'th 'olden time, ere humane statute purged the gentle weal; ay, and since too, murders have been performed too terrible for the ear. the times has been that, when the brains were out, the man would die, and there an end; but now they rise again, with twenty mortal murders on their crowns, and push us from our stools. this is more strange than such a murder is" (3.4.76-84).

- said by macbeth
- spoken to lady macbeth & all party guests
- what's happening is macbeth is seeing the ghost of banquo while hosting the dinner party
- this quote means--> macbeth is more concerned with seeing ghosts than he is with murder. he's comfortable with murder but isn't comfortable with the outcomes of it like ghosts. *this ghost is a vision of macbeth's guilt and paranoia*

in 3.4, who says this? who's it being spoken to? what is happening when it's being said? what does it mean?
"i do forget. do not muse at me, my most worthy friends; i have a strange infirmity, which is nothing to those who know me. come, love and health to all! then i'll sit down. give me some wine, fill full. [enter ghost] i drink to th' general joy o' th' whole table, and to our dear friend banquo, whom we miss; would he were here! to all and him we thirst, and all to all" (3.4.85-93).

- said by macbeth
- spoken to the dinner party guests
- what's happening is macbeth is seeing the ghost of banquo while hosting and is trying to act normal but can't
- this quote means--> macbeth is giving himself away by toasting to banquo. the guests don't know that banquo is dead yet and macbeth toasting to him and saying he misses him is suspicious because this implies that banquo is dead to the other guests. they could become suspicious of macbeth because he's showing that he knew banquo was dead before anyone else did

in 3.4, when lady macbeth asks everyone to leave the dinner party, they leave in disorder, but what are they going to probably do when they leave?

people are going to talk about how macbeth was acting so strange and get people thinking if macbeth is really the best ruler to have

in 3.4, who says this? who's it being spoken to? what is happening when it's being said? what does it mean?
"it will have blood, they say: blood will have blood. stones have been known to move and trees to speak; augures and understood relations have by maggot-pies and choughs and rooks brought forth the secret'st man of blood. what is the night?" (3.4.123-127).

- said by macbeth
- spoken to lady macbeth
- what's happening is macbeth and lady macbeth have just said goodnight to all of the dinner guests
- this quote means--> macbeth acknowledges that someone will always be a threat to murder. this cycle may be worse than death. you can't undo things, and nature will eventually reveal the truth

in 3.4, when macbeth talks about the invitation he sent to macduff, does he say macduff accepted or denied it?

denied

in 3.4, T OR F? macbeth is so paranoid that he hires spies to spy on macduff

true

in 3.4, who says this? who's it being spoken to? what is happening when it's being said? what does it mean?
"i hear it by the way, but i will send: there's not a one of them but in his house i keep a servant fee'd. i will tomorrow, and bedtimes i will, to weird sisters: more shall they speak, for now i am bent to know by the worst means the worst. for mine own good all causes shall give way. i am in blood stepped in so far that, should i wade no more, returning were as tedious as go o'er. strange things i have in head that will to hand, which must be acted ere they may be scanned" (3.4.131-141).

- said by macbeth
- spoken to lady macbeth
- what's happening is macbeth and lady macbeth have just got done discussing macduff's denial of the invitation to go to macbeth's coronation
- this quote means--> macbeth says he's no longer going to think, he's just going to do. he needs comfort, validation, and some truth from anyone he can get it from, which is why he wants to talk to the witches again. he'd rather talk to the witches than be held accountable. he's very desperate. *macbeth says that he's in too deep now to stop murdering*

in 3.5, who is the goddess of witchcraft?

hecate

in 3.5, why's hecate mad at the weird sisters?

she's mad bc they gave macbeth and banquo prophecies without her. she wants to be a part of the manipulation

*EXTRA CREDIT!!!!!* who wrote all of act 3, scene 5 of macbeth?

thomas middleton

in 3.5, T OR F? hecate will go with the witches to help confuse macbeth

true

in 3.5, hecate going with the witches to help manipulate macbeth secures his what?

downfall

in 3.5, hecate and the witches are going to tell macbeth that he has a destiny. will this destiny be truthful?

no. the "destiny" will be an equivocation (a half truth)

in 3.5, hecate and the witches want to mainly do what to macbeth?

manipulate him and influence him to keep doing bad

in 3.5, macbeth puts too much trust into ____________________ forces

external

what is the plot point of 3.5?

to explain that macbeth won't be interpreting the next prophecies correctly

in 3.6, which character is suspicious of duncan and banquo's murders?

lennox

in 3.6, why is lennox suspicious of duncan and banquo's murders?

because they were both honorable people. macduff, who's honorable, is shunned by macbeth, but macduff is actually a good person