| What is irony in this statement, “Fail not our feast”? | Banquo missed the dinner feast to celebrate Macbeth’s coronation because Macbeth had him killed but he still seemed to show up as a ghost. |
| What kind of stories might Duncan’s children be telling about Macbeth? | Macbeth speaks of Duncan’s children as if they were the murders who fled the country when in reality they fled in fear of their lives. They are probably speaking of their fear of Macbeth |
| Why does Macbeth feel he needs to fight fate? | He wants his descendants to stay on the throne instead of what the witches foretold to happen. |
| What does Macbeth do to make sure Banquo is “taken care of”? | He hires people to murder Banquo in the dead of night. |
| Why is the death of Fleance so important? | Fleance is Banquo’s son, the witches said he would take the throne rather than Macbeth’s heirs. |
| Why does Shakespeare have Lady Macbeth speak in rhyme? | Lady Macbeth speaks in rhyme throughout most of the play because she is speaking passionately about serious matters. |
| What does Macbeth mean when he says, “We have scorched the snake, not killed it”? | Macbeth creates a metaphor implying that even though they have killed Duncan they are still not safe and sure that he will stay on the throne. |
| Explain the dramatic irony in this scene(2). | There is dramatic irony because the conversation between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth reveals much to the audience that the other characters don’t know. |
| Identify two examples of personification in (III,ii). | the dung beetle makes his humming noisefull of scorpions in his mind |
| What happens in scene iii? | The murderers kill Banquo and attempt to kill Fleance. However, Fleance gets away before they can kill him. |
| After the servant arrives, what is Macbeth preoccupied with? | He is busy hosting a banquet and talking to the lords. He also sees the ghost of Banquo in his seat so he starts talking to the ghost making him look crazy. |
| Compare what Macbeth says to his actual feelings about Fleance’s escape. | Macbeth says that he feels scared that Fleance escaped but what he actually feels that he will not be much trouble as of right now. |
| How does Macbeth react to seeing Banquo’s ghost? | When Macbeth sees Banquo’s ghost he starts talking to it and “Spouting nonsense”. |
| Why does Lady Macbeth make up a story to tell the guests? | Lady Macbeth makes up a story to the guests so that they don’t suspect that Macbeth knows things he shouldn’t and completely insane. |
| Why do you think Macbeth is suddenly so concerned about Macduff? | Macbeth is suddenly concerned about Macduff because Macduff didn’t show up to the banquet and Macbeth takes that as him plotting against him. |
| Journal Question:Who do you think is more courageous, Lady Macbeth or Macbeth, and why? | any answer should be fine |
| Why did Shakespeare choose to write Hecate’s speech in couplets? | Shakespeare chooses to write Hecate’s speech in couplets to make it similar to a traditional witches spell or talk. |
| What is Hecate planning to do to Macbeth? | Hecate (goddess of witchcraft) is planning to cause even more trouble for Macbeth until his whole life unravels. |
| Why does Shakespeare have Lennox ask questions to make his point instead of make statements? | Lennox asks questions to make his point, to emphasize the total uncertainty about the situation and make his audience contemplate about what he is saying. |
| What activity do Banquo and Fleance plan to do before the banquet? | horseback riding |
| Why does Macbeth hire murderers to kill Banquo and Fleance? | he fears the witches’ prophecy that Banquo’s sons will be kings |
| How does Macbeth manipulate the murderers so that they will kill Banquo? | he says Banquo is to blame for their poverty |
| Why doesn’t Macbeth sit at the head of the banquet table? | He sees the ghost of Banquo |
| What excuse does Lady Macbeth offer for her husband’s strange behavior? | He is suffering from a childhood illness |
| Whom does Macbeth plan to meet with in order to discuss how he should proceed? | the witches |
| What is “mortals’ chiefest enemy,” according to Hecate? | security |
| What is the tone of Lennox’s discussion with the lord about the state of Scotland’s leadership? | sarcastic |
| According to the lord, what does Macduff plan to do? | travel to England to seek support in order to challenge Macbeth |
Macbeth Act 3
September 7, 2019