Act 3

• Engels
• Upper Secondary (Key Stage 4)
• GCSE

Lesson objectives 

You will consider the setting and atmosphere of act 3 scene 1 & 2 

You will consider the changing relationship between Lady Macbeth and Macbeth 

You will consider imagery and compare two speeches 

Act 3

One of the key points to consider about Act 3 is the manner in which power shifts towards Macbeth away from his wife, though Macbeth suffers torment for what he has done. 

Is there any evidence then that Macbeth was beginning to take the lead in events?

Act 3 scene 1 

1. Why do you think that this act starts with a soliloquy from Banquo showing his inner thoughts? 

2. What mood are Macbeth and Lady Macbeth in? Write down the words that show their separate moods. 

3. What will Banquo be doing before the banquet? 

4. What does Macbeth mean in his soliloquy when he says:

" To be thus is nothing,/ but to be safely thus. Our fears in Banquo/ Stick deep," p.43 l.50-51

" There is none but he /whose being I do fear" l. 56

"They hail'd him father to a line of kings./Upon my head they placed a fruitless crown" l.62

 

 

Act 3 scene 2 

1. What does Lady Macbeth say Macbeth has become at the beginning of Act 3 Scene 2? 
2. How does Macbeth explain his behavior? 
3. It may seem strange but Macbeth says he would rather be dead like Duncan. Why does he want to be like Duncan? 
4. How does Lady Macbeth want Macbeth to behave at the banquet? 
5. What does Macbeth say will happen tonight? 
6. Why does Shakespeare have Macbeth say that he cannot wait for night time and darkness? 

Lesson objectives 

You will consider the setting and atmosphere of act 3 scene 3 & 4 

You will consider imagery and compare two speeches 

You will watch and analyse act 3 scene 4 (pivotal scene in the play) 

Act 3 scene 2 

What contribution does imagery make to the tone and action of the play in this scene? 

Write one PEEL paragraph that includes at least three pieces of evidence. Embed your evidence into your sentences as much as possible. 

Act 3 scene 2 

Look at Macbeth's final speech in Act 3 Scene 2, and Lady Macbeth’s speech beginning ‘The raven himself is hoarse…’ in Act 1 Scene 5. Make a table

• provide examples of the similarities suggested.
  
• In the empty row, add any other similarities you notice plus examples.
  

 

Act 3 scene 2 up to Macbeth's soliloquy 

Similarities	Example Lady Macbeth	Example Macbeth
References to ‘night’ and its effects
References to evil/dark forces that they need to ‘help’ the
Similar or repeated words and phrases
References to blindness/seeing

What differences are there between the extracts? 

Act 3 scene 2 differences  

The fact that Lady Macbeth’s speech is a soliloquy, and is almost like a spell or prayer to evil forces. Macbeth’s speech is in the presence of his wife, though it also sounds like a spell or incantation 

Lady Macbeth’s references to her needing to be ‘unsex’-ed – whilst Macbeth’s speech has no obvious reference to his gender, or manliness

Act 3 scene 2 what do these mean in modern English. Write your translation 

..night’s yawning peal

After life's fitful fever, he sleeps well

Let the frame of things disjoint

full of scorpions is my mind...

come, sealing night scarf up the tender eye of pitiful day

We have scorched the snake not killed it: she'll close and be herself , whilst our poor malice remains in danger of her former tooth

Act 3 scene 2 

1. Why doesn’t Macbeth tell his wife what fate he has planned for Banquo? 
2. How are we supposed to view Banquo, following what he says at the start of the act in reference to what the witches promised him? 
3. Who might the third murderer be who appears to help with the murder of Banquo? 

Lesson objectives 

You will watch and analyse act 3 scene 4 (pivotal scene in the play) 

You will consider the Witches' spells

Comparison of Lady Macbeth and Lady Macduff Act 4 scene 2 

Act 3 scene 4 

Discuss: 

1. If you were directing this scene onstage, how would you tackle it? 

2. How do you want the audience to feel during the scene and how will you ensure you provoke that feeling?

3. How would you present the ghost? Would you have an actor playing him? 

4. What difference would it make to how we feel towards the character of Macbeth if we only see what Lady Macbeth and the Thanes see? 

Act 3 scene 4 

1. Take note of the line that shows that the lords sat in a particular order to show their status. The closer they were to the king the more important they were. Why is this ironic? 

2. Where does Macbeth choose to sit?

3. What does it show about Macbeth's character development that he speaks to the murders during the banquet? 

4. What does Mabeth mean when he says "Tis better thee without, than he within" ? p.51 l.14

Act 3 scene 4 

5. What is Macbeth's reaction to hearing that Fleance has escaped? Look at the metaphors and imagery used p.51 lines 21 - 25 

6. Look at the reference to a snake on p.51 l. 29 - 32. What is Macbeth saying? 

7. Find the quotes that mean:

• I wish the most important guest was here
  
• I would rather scold him for being rudely late than worry about something happening to him. 
  

Act 3 scene 4 

8. Find the quote that means: 

• There is nothing there 
  
• It's just like the dagger, you said led you to Duncan
  
• These visions are pathetic, scary stories told by grandmothers are scarier
  
• You should be ashamed of your silly behaviour
  

9. What does Lady Macbeth say to mock Macbeth's masculinity? 

10. Where is there an example of dramatic irony?

Act 3 scene 4 

10. Explain these quotes: 

" you have displaced the mirth" p. 55  l. 109

" Can such things be,/ And overcome us like a summer's cloud" p. 56 l. 110 - 111

" you can behold such sights,/ and keep the natural ruby of your cheeks,/when mine is blanch'd with fear." p. 56 l. 114 - 116 

11. What does Macbeth mean when he says, " It will have blood they say: blood will have blood." p. 56 l. 122

Act 3 scene 4 

12. Find and take note of where it says at the end of act 3 scene 4:

• that Macbeth pays one of Macduff's servants to spy on him? 
  
• That the next day he will return to see the witches
  
• That he has committed so many terrible deeds he might as well keep going
  
• Considering what sort of things are going to happen, what they've done so far is nothing at all.