Macbeth

ACT THREE QUESTIONS

Scene One

1. Now that he is king, why is Macbeth not content?

Macbeth is not content because he feels he is not safely king. He fears that others (mainly
Banquo) will seize his power as he had done to Duncan.

2. In what ways is Banquo a threat to Macbeth?

Banquo is a threat to Macbeth because he accuratly theorizes that Macbeth murdered
Duncan. To add, Banquo had heard the prophecy so he knows the same information as
Macbeh (they both know what is to come). Banquo also has the same title as Macbeth, so he
could equally potentially rise to power (although it would not actually happen as it was
mentioned in the prochephy that his sons would be king, but not Banquo).

3. How does Macbeth use the idea of natural order to convince the two men to murder Banquo?
He compared the rank of dogs to men, saying that when you rank dogs by their qualities,
certain dogs are better than others. Esentially Macbeth is using he idea that certain human
beings are better than others (idea of natural order) to convince the men to murder Banquo.

Scene Two

1. How have Macbeth’s actions affected

a) His marriage ?
Lady Macbeth and Macbeth are both in a constant paranoid and odd state as king and queen.
Both are in a stressed and anxious state through their rise to power as they fear being found
out and that they will be served justice.

b) his health ?
Macbeth cannot sleep and is constantly under stress and fear, thinking that someone will
seize power from him as he did to Duncan. He is tortured by anxiety.

2. Why is Macbeth’s sleeplessness a nemesis (fitting revenge) for his murder of Duncan?
Macbeth`s sleeplesness is fitting revenge for his murder of Duncan as he has put Duncan in a
state of eternal sleep. It should be poetic justice that he is stolen of his sleep as he has stolen
Duncan of his life.

Scene Three https://myshakespeare.com/macbeth/act-3-scene-3

1. Why has Macbeth sent a third murderer to kill Banquo?

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ACT THREE QUESTIONS

Macbeth has sent a third murderer to kill Banquo to check up on the first two murderers. This
is to ensure that Banquo's death is guaranteed as he does not want to risk it. If the murders
fail at their task, Maceth’s power is at risk.

2. Explain where pathetic fallacy occurs in this scene?

Pathetic fallacy occurs as it starts raining when Banquo and Fleance enter the scene with the
murders. Their death awaits them, and the weather reflects this emotion as rain is associated
with sadness and grief. Banquo says “It will be rain tonight”, almost foreshadowing and
implying something bad is going to happen.

Scene Four

1. Why is Macbeth unable to keep up the appearance of being a gracious host?

Macbeth is unable to keep up the appearance of being a gracious host as he is seeing visions
of Banquo, which ultimately scares him and makes him seem crazy to the other nobles.

2. Why is it ironic that Lady Macbeth scold Macbeth for believing in the supernatural?
It is ironic that Lady Macbeth scolds Macbeth for believing in the supernatural because at the
beginning in Act 1, she wanted "evil spirits" to come and possess her while she wished to
become a man to murder Duncan.

3. How does this scene show the theme of natural order / Great Chain of Being?
This scene shows the theme of natural order as all the characters are placed based on their
social status at the dinner table. As king and queen, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth sit at the
head of the table with the others sitting themselves based on their own degrees. In fact, the
act opens with the line, "You know your own degrees, sit down. At first
And last, the hearty welcome".

Scene 5

1. Are there any lines here that give additional insight into Macbeth’s character?
"Shall draw him on to his confusion.
He shall spurn fate, scorn death, and bear
His hopes 'bove wisdom, grace, and fear"

This line gives additional insight to Macbeth's character as it reveals he will bring destruction,
continuing to suffer a harsh fate. His hopes and goals will bring fear. So far these statements
have been true as he is suffering visions and paranoia. He is also acting like a tyrant king,
bringing destruction to his country.

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ACT THREE QUESTIONS

Scene 6

1. What do Lennox and others think of Macbeth?

Lennox and the other gentry are inclining suspicion towards Macbeth as they discuss the
recent politics and suspicious actions Macbeth has been taking. However, they are cautious
with their words as they do not want to be traitors.

2. What has happened to Macduff and Malcolm?

Macduff has met with Malcom, who has fled to England to make alliances with King Edward to
regain his righteous throne. Both England and Scotland plan for a war.

3. How does this scene show the theme of natural order / Great Chain of Being ?
This scene shows the theme of natural order as Macbeth, who is king (highest part of the
chain) is being plotted against by his own men (who are lower on the chain). This
foreshadows eventual destruction and war as this is not correctly following natural order.

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