Act Three Study Questions

Macbeth

  1. For what reasons does Macbeth want Banquo murdered? What reasons does he give the murderers? What does the conversation with the murderers reveal about Macbeth?
  2. Do Scenes 1 and 2 taken together indicate that Macbeth has either fallen or risen in a moral sense? Explain.
  3. Scene 4 is considered by many to be a turning point in the play.Explain why this might be considered the climax.
  4. What dramatic purpose is served by the appearance of Banquo’s ghost? How does Lady Macbeth react in this horrible scene? Compare her behavior with that of Macbeth.
  5. In this act what hints or nuances are given of the gathering forces of opposition to Macbeth?
  6. What does Lennox’s and the other lord’s conversationreveal in Scene 6?
  7. In which moments of Act 3 is manhood equated with a lack of fear? How valid is this view of manhood?
  8. What differences do you see in Lady Macbeth by Act 3? Explain your answer.
  9. Why does Macbeth go back to see the witches in Act 3? How is his behavior different this time around? Why do you suppose that is?
  10. How is the perspective of Scene 6 different from all the other scenes in Act 3?

Text Criticism:

In Scene 1, Macbeth meets with two murderers, but three murderers take part in Banquo’s murder in Scene 3. Some people have speculated that the third murderer may be Macbeth himself. Is this plausible? Would that help explain his behavior at the banquet? Support your answer.

Further activities:

Locate and explain any motifs in this act and paraphrase one soliloquy (said to an audience) and monologue.

Act Three Study Questions

Macbeth

  1. For what reasons does Macbeth want Banquo murdered? What reasons does he give the murderers? What does the conversation with the murderers reveal about Macbeth?
  2. Do Scenes 1 and 2 taken together indicate that Macbeth has either fallen or risen in a moral sense? Explain.
  3. Scene 4 is considered by many to be a turning point in the play. Explain why this might be considered the climax.
  4. What dramatic purpose is served by the appearance of Banquo’s ghost? How does Lady Macbeth react in this horrible scene? Compare her behavior with that of Macbeth.
  5. In this act what hints or nuances are given of the gathering forces of opposition to Macbeth?
  6. What does Lennox’s and the other lord’s conversationreveal in Scene 6?
  7. In which moments of Act 3 is manhood equated with a lack of fear? How valid is this view of manhood?
  8. What differences do you see in Lady Macbeth by Act 3? Explain your answer.
  9. Why does Macbeth go back to see the witches in Act 3? How is his behavior different this time around? Why do you suppose that is?
  10. How is the perspective of Scene 6 different from all the other scenes in Act 3?

Text Criticism:

In Scene 1, Macbeth meets with two murderers, but three murderers take part in Banquo’s murder in Scene 3. Some people have speculated that the third murderer may be Macbeth himself. Is this plausible? Would that help explain his behavior at the banquet? Support your answer.

Further activities:

Locate and explain any motifs in this act and paraphrase one soliloquy (said to an audience) and monologue.