Act 3: Macbeth Reading Comprehension Questions

Name ___________________________ Per ______ Date _____________ Act 3 Scene I 1. Why does Macbeth fear Banquo and want to have him killed? (i, 48-71) Macbeth fears Banquo because he suspects that Banquo knows or suspects his involvement in Duncan's murder and that Banquo's descendants might inherit the throne, as prophesied by the witches 2. How does Macbeth persuade the murderers that Banquo is an enemy to them all? (i, 75-83) How does Macbeth then persuade the murderers that they should kill Banquo? (i, 84-107) Macbeth persuades the murderers that Banquo is their enemy by blaming him for their misfortunes and grievances. He convinces them to kill Banquo by portraying him as a threat to their safety and as the one responsible for their troubles 3. What does Macbeth tell the murderers is the reason that he cannot kill Banquo himself? (i, 117-125) What do you think is the real reason Macbeth hires murderers to kill Banquo? Macbeth tells the murderers that he cannot kill Banquo himself because he and Banquo share a close relationship and any harm done to Banquo would be suspicious. The real reason Macbeth hires murderers to kill Banquo is to eliminate a potential threat to his throne and to secure his own power 4. At this point, how does Macbeth feel with his new found power? With his newfound power, Macbeth feels increasingly paranoid and insecure, constantly worried about potential threats to his rule 5. When and where has Macbeth decided that Banquo must be murdered? Who has Macbeth decided must also be murdered at the same time? (i, 130-138) Macbeth decides that Banquo must be murdered during the evening ride with Fleance, and he also plans to have Fleance killed at the same time Scene II 6. What do Lady Macbeth and Macbeth state about their current standing as king and queen based on what they have done to get it? (ii, 4-26) Lady Macbeth and Macbeth express their unease and guilt over their actions to become king and queen, acknowledging the bloodshed and treachery they have resorted to 7. What does Macbeth say he envies about Duncan? (ii, 22-23) Macbeth envies Duncan because Duncan is now at peace in death, while Macbeth continues to face turmoil and paranoia 8. What symbol does Macbeth use for the tool that will help him carry out his plan of murder? (ii, 45-56) Name ___________________________ Per ______ Date _____________ Macbeth uses the symbol of darkness to represent the tool that will help him carry out his plan of murder, indicating his reliance on secrecy and deception Scene III 9. What is unexpected about the murderers that wait to kill Banquo and Fleance? (iii, 1-4) The unexpected thing about the murderers waiting to kill Banquo and Fleance is that a third murderer joins them, unknown to the other two 10. What happens when the murderers try to kill Banquo and his son? (iii, 19) When the murderers try to kill Banquo and his son, Fleance escapes, while Banquo is killed Scene IV 11. What is Macbeth’s reaction first to the news that Banquo is dead and then to the news that Fleance escaped? (iv, 18-26) Macbeth is initially relieved to hear that Banquo is dead but becomes distressed upon learning that Fleance has escaped 12. Why doesn’t Macbeth sit in the seat reserved for him at the feast? (iv, 46-50) Macbeth doesn't sit in the seat reserved for him at the feast because he sees the ghost of Banquo sitting there, which terrifies him 13. What does the ghost of Banquo do to Macbeth's paranoia? The ghost of Banquo intensifies Macbeth's paranoia and guilt, further destabilizing his mental state 14. How does Lady Macbeth explain Macbeth’s odd behavior to the guests? (iv, 54-59; 99-100) Lady Macbeth explains Macbeth's odd behavior to the guests by claiming that he has suffered from such fits since he was a child, and she tries to divert attention away from him 15. What similar thing does Lady Macbeth recall regarding her husband’s behavior? (Macbeth has not told her of this in the dialogue of the play, so we must suppose he has told her between scenes.) (iv, 62-63) Lady Macbeth recalls a similar episode of her husband's odd behavior in the past, suggesting that this is not the first time Macbeth has been troubled by his conscience 16. What does Macbeth reveal about his beliefs in the supernatural in his soliloquy on page 118? (iv, 76-84) In his soliloquy, Macbeth reveals his belief in the supernatural, acknowledging the witches' power and his reliance on their prophecies 17. Who do we learn has not attended the feast despite being invited? (iv, 130) We learn that Macduff has not attended the feast despite being invited Name ___________________________ Per ______ Date _____________ 18. What has Macbeth decided he must do in order to continue on with his plans of action? (iv, 141, 142) Macbeth decides he must visit the witches again in order to receive further guidance and reassurance about his future actions 19. How does Lady Macbeth make her husband feel better after seeing the ghost? (iv, 143) Lady Macbeth tries to make her husband feel better after seeing the ghost by dismissing his visions as mere hallucinations and urging him to enjoy the feast 20. What does Macbeth mean when he says, “We are yet but young in deed”? (iv, 144-145) What does this suggest about his future conduct? When Macbeth says, "We are yet but young in deed," he means that they are still new to committing such heinous acts and have much more to accomplish. This suggests that Macbeth plans to continue his ruthless actions in order to secure his power and fulfill the witches' prophecies Scene V 21. Who is Hecate and what does she think of the witches' involvement with Macbeth? (v, 1-13) Hecate is a goddess associated with witchcraft, and she is displeased with the witches' involvement with Macbeth because they did not consult her before making prophecies to him 22. What is Hecate's strategy for Macbeth? (v, 14-33) What literary device is used here to allow the audience to learn of this plan before Macbeth does? Hecate's strategy for Macbeth is to deceive him with false security and visions, leading him to his downfall. The literary device used here is dramatic irony, as the audience knows of Hecate's plan before Macbeth does 23. What does Hecate say is man’s chiefest enemy? (v, 32-33) Hecate says that man's chiefest enemy is overconfidence and false security Scene VI 24. How does Lennox feel about Macbeth and the recent killings? (vi, 1-23) Lennox expresses suspicion and discontent regarding Macbeth's rule, hinting at growing opposition among the nobility 25. What does the Lord tell us about the whereabouts of Macduff? (vi, 26-31) The Lord tells us that Macduff has gone to England to join forces with Malcolm and seek help against Macbeth Name ___________________________ Per ______ Date _____________ 26. What was Macduff’s reply to being summoned by one of Macbeth’s messengers? (vi, 40) Macduff's reply to being summoned by one of Macbeth's messengers is that he is not going to attend Macbeth's coronation