Macbeth Act III Discussion Questions*
These questions will be asked in class as part of discussion, or they may be given out as homework, exit/entrance tickets, or essay assignments. Not all of these questions may be asked, but many of them will. Please pay attention to in-class directions.
ACT THREE
Scene One
- Act Three begins with a soliloquy by Banquo. In what ways does this speech show that Banquo is a threat to Macbeth?
- Read Macbeth's soliloquy beginning, "To be thus is nothing, but to be safely thus-
- Paraphrase the soliloquy.
- What assumptions underlie Macbeth's fears?
- 3. Even before he killed Duncan, Macbeth had no children and Banquo did. Why did Macbeth not foresee this obvious problem before he committed murder? Why does he only realize now that "for Banquo's issue have I filed my mind"?
- Given Banquo's earlier soliloquy, to what extent do you feel his fears are justified?
- Why is it interesting that Macbeth employs professional cut-throats to kill Banquo?
Scene Two
- In what ways do each of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth show that the crown has not brought peace of mind?
- In what ways has Macbeth changed since the murder?
- In many ways the roles of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth have been reversed. Show how their relationship has altered. Pay particular attention to the way the "fair is foul " theme is used to emphasize this change.
- Take note of this fact too: Before and immediately after Duncan's murder, Lady Macbeth and Macbeth had an extraordinary marriage of shared partnership (and shared culpability). Does this shared partnership continue after the beginning of Act II?
Scene Four
This is the scene in which Banquo's ghost appears. In many of his plays Shakespeare uses ghosts. However, usually the ghost is seen by a number of characters. It is also a scene in which the issues of guilt and self-incrimination are very prominent.
- What are some typical human responses to guilt? Try to list as many as you can think of. How do we typically deal with this emotion?
- What responses to guilt do we see manifesting in the behavior of Lady Macbeth and Macbeth? How is each character individually dealing with or processing this emotion?
- One famous treatment of Macbeth in an academic setting involved a college pre-law program in which the class put Macbeth on trial for the murders he commits during the course of the play, using only the information directly stated in the text as evidence for his guilt or innocence. Though initially, the prosecution side felt that they had a case they could not lose, the defense quickly moved to strike all conversations between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth (using the rule of marital privilege) and to strike all soliloquies and asides (using the rule against self-incrimination). This left the prosecution with substantially less evidence -- except for this one scene. If you were on the prosecution side and had to build a case convicting Macbeth of the murders he commits, what statements does he make during this scene that are especially incriminating? Mark incriminating statements with an "I" and be prepared to defend your answers.
- does the fact that only Macbeth can see this ghost suggest about the nature of the ghost?
- How does Lady Macbeth respond to his "fit"?
- Once again there is a shift in their relationship. Explain this shift.
- Once Banquo's ghost has finally gone, Macbeth appears to be more settled. Why do you think this is so?
- Why do you think Macbeth decides to visit the witches again?
Examine the following lines:
- For my own good
- All causes shall give way. I am in blood
- Stepped 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.
- Explain what Macbeth means here.
Scene Six
Scene six provides us with an insight into Macbeth's reign and the perception of his rule that the Thanes of Scotland have come to have over the course of his reign so far. Briefly describe the Thanes' perception of Macbeth and his rule.
* Questions taken or adapted from this site: www.appohigh.org/.../Macbeth%20Study%20Questions%20Act%201.doc