Act 3

Text of Book

Questions

1)	What is the main idea of Act 3?

Banquo says:

"Thou hast it now, King, Cawdor, Glamis, all,
As the weird women Promised, and I fear
Thou play'dst most foully for't: yet it was said
It should not stand in thy posterity,
But that myself should be the root and father
Of many kings."
Act 3, Scene 1, Lines 3–6

What does the word "root" mean in this passage?

3)	Macbeth says: "Upon my head they placed a fruitless crown, And put a barren scepter in my gripe, Thence to be wrenched with an unlineal hand, No son of mine succeeding." Act 3, Scene 1, Lines 64–67 What does "barren" mean in this passage?

4)	Macbeth tells the murderers: "Within this hour at most I will advise you where to plant yourselves…" Act 3, Scene 2, Lines 141–142 What does "plant" mean in this sentence?

5)	Macbeth says, "Ere we will eat our meal in fear and sleep In the affliction of these terrible dreams That shake us nightly…" Act 3, Scene 2, Lines 17–18 What does "affliction" mean in this sentence?

6)	Macbeth says: "You know your own degrees, sit down: at first And last the hearty welcome." Act 3, Scene 4, Lines 1–2 What does "degrees" mean in this sentence?

7)	Why does Macbeth hire murderers to kill Banquo and Fleance?

8)	What does Macbeth tell the murderers to make them eager to kill Banquo?

9)	What does Lady Macbeth mean in her quote below? "Nought's had, all's spent, Where our desire is got without content: 'Tis safer to be that which we destroy Than by destruction dwell in doubtful joy." Act 3, Scene 2, Lines 6–9