As Act III begins, Banquo is reflecting on what has happened to Macbeth. What 3 events does he state and what does he hope for himself? (Use concrete details.)
At the very beginning of the act, Banquo says straight off the bat that all three prophecies that the Weird Sisters promised Macbeth have been fulfilled. “King, Cawdor, and Glamis, all As the weird women hath promised, and I fear Thou played’st most foully for’t,” (iii.i.1-3). Because of his foreboding that Macbeth has committed a grave crime in order to obtain the last prophecy, the king of Scotland, Banquo is not hopeful that the witches’ prophecy for him – that his children will grow up to be kings – will come true. The witches also said that Banquo would be “not so happy, yet much happier” than Macbeth. The “not so happy” is shown when Duncan bestows upon Macbeth more glory and riches than upon Banquo, to whom he gives only his love and when Banquo dies at the hands of murderers sent by Macbeth. However, as we witness Macbeth’s slow descent into madness, we realize that Banquo is actually better off than Macbeth, who slowly loses everything he treasures most: his love for and bond with his wife Lady Macbeth, his people’s trust, and eventually his life.
At the very beginning of the act, Banquo says straight off the bat that all three prophecies that the Weird Sisters promised Macbeth have been fulfilled. “King, Cawdor, and Glamis, all As the weird women hath promised, and I fear Thou played’st most foully for’t,” (iii.i.1-3). Because of his foreboding that Macbeth has committed a grave crime in order to obtain the last prophecy, the king of Scotland, Banquo is not hopeful that the witches’ prophecy for him – that his children will grow up to be kings – will come true. The witches also said that Banquo would be “not so happy, yet much happier” than Macbeth. The “not so happy” is shown when Duncan bestows upon Macbeth more glory and riches than upon Banquo, to whom he gives only his love and when Banquo dies at the hands of murderers sent by Macbeth. However, as we witness Macbeth’s slow descent into madness, we realize that Banquo is actually better off than Macbeth, who slowly loses everything he treasures most: his love for and bond with his wife Lady Macbeth, his people’s trust, and eventually his life.
What reason does Macbeth give the murderers for wanting Banquo killed? What reason does he give for not doing it himself? (Use concrete details.)
Macbeth tells the murderers that Banquo is their common enemy; he is a “bad egg.” He says that Banquo is the sole cause for all of their misfortunes and not himself, the king. Macbeth says that he cannot kill Banquo because he might and does not want to lose the support of their mutual friends.
Why do you think Macbeth does not tell Lady Macbeth about his plan to murder Banquo and Fleance? (Use concrete details)
Macbeth tells her to “Be innocent of the knowledge, dearest chuck, Till thou applaud the deed,” (iii.iii.48-49). He’s basically saying that he doesn’t want her to know about the murder until after it is done. He may be going this because he wants to prove to her that he’s not a wimp and is capable for committing a heinous crime on his own.
When Banguo's ghost enters the banquet, what is Macbeth's reaction? (Use concrete details)
Macbeth is freaked out and actually believes Banquo’s there, sitting in his seat, the seat reserved for the king of Scotland. He becomes more and more heated because the other lords such as Ross and Lennox cannot see the apparition and can’t understand why Macbeth is still standing. Macbeth becomes angry, thinking that Lennox is making fun of him. Eventually, he becomes engrossed in only Banquo’s ghost and says, “Thou canst not say I did it. Never shake Thy gory locks at me,” (iii.iv.50-51). Macbeth is so steeped in guilt and remorse that he completely forgets to attend to his own feast each time that the ghost enters the dining hall.
What does Lady Macbeth say to the guests is the reason for his behavior? What can you say about their relationship at this point in the play? (Use concrete details)
Lady Macbeth attempts to explain to the lords that they’re seeing the symptoms of some mental disease that Macbeth has had since his childhood. She tells her guests to “Sit, worthy friends. My lord is often thus, And hath been from his youth. Pray you, keep seat. The fit is momentary; upon a thought He will again be well. If much you note him You shall offend him and extend his passion,” (iii.iv.53-57). Their relationship is deteriorating at this point in the play. Lady Macbeth is desperately trying to be the voice of reason while her husband is plowing ahead with his own drastic plans. I think he’s trying to show to everybody, especially Lady Macbeth who ridiculed him for his un-manliness in previous acts, that he is capable of making decisions that were not influenced by anyone other than himself.
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Maria(:
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