Macbeth Act 3 Flashcards Preview

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Flashcards in Macbeth Act 3 Deck (33)
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0
Q

Why does Macbeth want Banquo and Fleance dead?

A

He knows they suspect him of foul play, and he is furious that he has done all of the work
(so-to-speak) of becoming king, and Banquo’s descendants will benefit from it rather than his.

1
Q

What does Banquo think about the witches prophesies?

A

Since they have come true for Macbeth, they may yet come true for him as well. (He also alludes to the fact that Macbeth may have had a hand in bringing about the outcome of the prophesies when he says “play’dst most foully for it” in line 3. ‘FOUL PLAY’)

2
Q

Macbeth says he will be alone until the feast. What does he really do during this time?

A

meets with the two murderers

3
Q

How does Macbeth convince the murderers to help him?

A

plays on their sense of manhood (not unlike how Lady Macbeth did Macbeth in Act I), tells them Banquo is their enemy and if they want to be men, they will do something about him, says he’d do it himself but he doesn’t want to upset their (his and Banquo’s) mutual friends

4
Q

What is Macbeth’s plan for killing Banquo and Fleance? Does it work?

A

He gets two convicted murderers to wait along the road to ambush them. The murderers kill Banquo, but Fleance escapes.

5
Q

Macbeth says, “The worm that’s fled Hath nature that in time will venom breed, No teeth for the present.” What does that mean?

A

Fleance will be a problem in the future, since he will have children who will become kings, but for now Macbeth can let him go and deal with other things because Fleance is of no immediate threat to him personally.

6
Q

Who (what) did Macbeth see at the banquet table?

A

He saw Banquo’s ghost.

7
Q

How does Lady Macbeth cover for Macbeth at the banquet? What excuses does she give for his wild talk?

A

She tells the guests that he often has these fits, that those who know him well have learned to ignore them. When Macbeth really gets out of hand, she sends the guests home.

8
Q

Who else was missing from the banquet table (besides Banquo)?

A

Macduff is missing.

9
Q

Macbeth says, “I am in blood Stepped in so far that should I wade no more, Returning were as tedious as go o’er.” What does he mean?

A

There is no going back now. Macbeth is committed to this course of action, whatever terrible things he may yet have to do.

10
Q

Why does Hecate “look angerly” upon the other witches (III.v.1)?

A

They did not include her in the plan to bring down Macbeth.

11
Q

What does Hecate want the witches to do?

A

She wants the witches to give Macbeth some visions which will give him false impressions, false hopes for his personal safety and the safety of his rule, so he will continue on his path of destruction.

12
Q

What does Lennox think about Macbeth, Fleance, and Duncan’s sons?

A

Literally, with NO sarcasm, he thinks Macbeth is the “good guy,” Fleance killed Banquo, and Duncan’s sons killed the king.
Sarcastically, he seems to be saying the exact opposite: It is ridiculous to think Duncan’s sons would kill him, Fleance had no reason to kill Banquo, and Macbeth has made a mess of Scotland.

13
Q

Ironically, Lennox calls Macbeth what to show his real attitude toward him?

A

a tyrant

14
Q

At the end of Act III, what seems to be coming to Scotland?

A

war (Macbeth (with his Scottish forces) vs. Malcolm (with Siward, English troops, and those loyal to Duncan)

15
Q

How does Lady Macbeth cover for Macbeth at the banquet? What excuses does she give for his wild talk?

A

She tells the guests that he often has these fits, that those who know him well have learned to ignore them. When Macbeth really gets out of hand, she sends the guests home.

16
Q

Who else was missing from the banquet table (besides Banquo)?

A

Macduff is missing.

17
Q

Macbeth says, “I am in blood Stepped in so far that should I wade no more, Returning were as tedious as go o’er.” What does he mean?

A

There is no going back now. Macbeth is committed to this course of action, whatever terrible things he may yet have to do.

18
Q

Why does Hecate “look angerly” upon the other witches (III.v.1)?

A

They did not include her in the plan to bring down Macbeth.

19
Q

What does Hecate want the witches to do?

A

She wants the witches to give Macbeth some visions which will give him false impressions, false hopes for his personal safety and the safety of his rule, so he will continue on his path of destruction.

20
Q

What does Lennox think about Macbeth, Fleance, and Duncan’s sons?

A

Literally, with NO sarcasm, he thinks Macbeth is the “good guy,” Fleance killed Banquo, and Duncan’s sons killed the king.
Sarcastically, he seems to be saying the exact opposite: It is ridiculous to think Duncan’s sons would kill him, Fleance had no reason to kill Banquo, and Macbeth has made a mess of Scotland.

21
Q

Ironically, Lennox calls Macbeth what to show his real attitude toward him?

A

a tyrant

22
Q

At the end of Act III, what seems to be coming to Scotland?

A

war (Macbeth (with his Scottish forces) vs. Malcolm (with Siward, English troops, and those loyal to Duncan)

23
Q

As Act III begins Banquo is reflecting on what has happened to Macbeth. What three events does he state and what does he hope for himself?

A

Banquo says that Macbeth was made King, Thane of Cawdor and Thane of Glamis. He hopes his sons will be Kings.

24
Q

What reason does Macbeth give the Murderers for wanting Banquo killed? What reason does he give for not doing it himself?

A

Macbeth fears for his own life if Banquo lives. Macbeth says that he and Banquo have the same friends and Macbeth would not be able to remain friends with them if he killed Banquo himself.

25
Q

Why do you thing Macbeth does not tell Lady Macbeth about his plan to murder Banquo and Fleance?

A

Macbeth either feels that Lady Macbeth may try to talk him out the plot, or he wants to have full control and exclude her from this matter.

26
Q

When Banquo’s ghost enters the banquet what is Macbeth’s reaction?

A

Macbeth questions who has brought Banquo to the feast and he is very upset.

27
Q

What does Lady Macbeth say to the guest is the reason for his behavior?

A

Lady Macbeth tells them that he has suffered from this affliction his entire life and to ignore his behavior.

28
Q

Does Macbeth recognize the ghost? How do you know he does?

A

Macbeth recognizes Banquo and says to the ghost that he should not blame him for the murder, “Thou canst not say I did it: never shake Thy gory locks at me.”

29
Q

What does Hecate say she is going to do to Macbeth? Why does she think he will respond to her?

A

Hecate is going to create a situation that will allow Macbeth to ruin himself. The Witches will make a magic potion that will guide Macbeth’s fate by telling him the future. Hecate says mortal men cannot resist knowing the future.

30
Q

What does Lennox say about Malcolm, Donalbain, and Fleance?

A

Lennox says they have been unjustly accused of murder.

31
Q

Where has Macduff gone and why?

A

Macduff has gone to England to join Malcolm’s forces to overthrow Macbeth.

32
Q

What does Lennox hope for?

A

Lennox hopes that Scotland will be peaceful again.