Act 3

• Who is Macbeth plotting to murder in Act Three?

  Banquo
• What does Banquo suspect about Macbeth?

  He thinks Macbeth "play'dst most foully" for the crown
• What is Banquo's attitude towards the Witches' prediction?

  He is ambitious but lets fate take its course
• How has Macbeth's attitude towards murder changed from Act 1 to Act 3?

  He is now decisive about killing Banquo
• What does Macbeth's hiring of murderers indicate about his character?

  He has become a coward and avoids confrontation
• How does Macbeth manipulate the murderers to do his bidding?

  He questions their masculinity and lies to them
• What does Macbeth believe he can achieve by killing Banquo and Fleance?

  He thinks he can change fate and prevent their kingship
• What does the imagery of a "fruitless crown" and "barren sceptre" suggest about Macbeth's reign?

  His reign is worthless without an heir
• How do Lady Macbeth and Macbeth feel about his kingship?

  They both feel insecure about his position
• What literary device does Shakespeare use to express the Macbeths' mixed emotions?

  Oxymorons like "doubtful joy"
• How does the relationship between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth change in Act Three?

  Macbeth no longer confides in Lady Macbeth
• What does Macbeth mean when he says, "full of scorpions is my mind"?

  He feels troubled and paranoid
• What does the appearance of Banquo's ghost symbolize for Macbeth?

  It represents his guilt and anxiety
• Why does Lady Macbeth pretend Macbeth is unwell during the feast?

  To cover up his strange behavior
• What does Macbeth mean by "blood will have blood"?

  He fears the consequences of his actions
• How does Hecate feel about the Witches' involvement with Macbeth?

  She is annoyed they didn't involve her
• What does Hecate mean when she says Macbeth "shall spurn fate"?

  He believes he can change his destiny
• What atmosphere does the scene with Hecate create?

  A dark atmosphere of fear and evil
• What does Lennox suspect about Macbeth?

  He suspects Macbeth is responsible for the murders
• How does Lennox express his true feelings about Duncan's murder?

  Through sarcasm and rhetorical questions
• What is the title of the study material?

  Analysis of Act Three - Macbeth Plots Banquo's Murder
• Who is Macbeth plotting to murder?

  Banquo
• Why is Macbeth suspicious of Banquo?

  He thinks Banquo "play'dst most foully" for the crown
• What is Banquo's attitude towards the witches' prediction that his descendants will be kings?

  He's ambitious but willing to let fate take its course
• How has Macbeth's attitude towards murder changed from Act 1?

  Murder has become easy for him, he's decisive about killing Banquo
• What does Macbeth do to have Banquo killed?

  He hires murderers to kill Banquo
• How has Macbeth's character changed compared to Act 1?

  He can't meet his enemy face-to-face, he's become a coward
• How has Macbeth's relationship with Lady Macbeth changed?

  Macbeth no longer confides in Lady Macbeth about his plans
• What animal imagery does Macbeth use in this scene?

  "full of scorpions is my mind" and "the bat has flown"
• What does the animal imagery suggest about Macbeth's state of mind?

  It sets an unsettling tone and emphasizes his feelings of insecurity and paranoia
• What does Macbeth say that foreshadows future events in the play?

  He envies Duncan because he isn't troubled by "Malice domestic, foreign levy"
• What does Macbeth's statement about "Malice domestic, foreign levy" foreshadow?

  It foreshadows Macduff's uprising and the English attack at the end of the play
• What happens when the murderers kill Banquo?

  Fleance escapes
• What does Fleance's escape symbolize?

  It shows that it's impossible to cheat fate, and the Witches' prediction about Banquo's sons becoming kings could still come true
• What happens when Banquo's ghost appears at the feast?

  Only Macbeth can see the ghost, suggesting it's a guilt-inspired hallucination
• What does Banquo's ghost symbolize?

  It's a symbol of Macbeth's guilt and anxiety, and a reminder of the Witches' prophecy
• What does Lady Macbeth do when Macbeth sees Banquo's ghost?

  She pretends Macbeth is unwell to cover for his strange behavior
• What does Macbeth's statement "It will have blood they say - blood will have blood" suggest about his state of mind?

  It shows his fear and the inevitability of his downfall
• What does Hecate say Macbeth will do?

  Hecate says Macbeth "shall spurn fate"
• What is Hecate's plan to trick Macbeth?

  She plans to summon apparitions to make Macbeth overconfident, so he'll continue his reign of terror