Macbeth: Act 3 – Reasoning Q&A (20+ Questions)

Complete the following sentences by providing a brief reason. Do not repeat the question.

1. Macbeth's position on the throne is not secure even after he becomes king because __________

2. Macbeth becomes obsessed with the witches' prophecy about Banquo's descendants because __________

3. Macbeth hires murderers rather than killing Banquo himself because __________

4. Macbeth lies to the murderers about Banquo's past actions because __________

5. Fleance's escape is more tragic for Macbeth than Banquo's death because __________

6. Macbeth decides to hold a feast/banquet after becoming king because __________

7. Macbeth sees Banquo's ghost at the banquet instead of an empty seat because __________

8. No one else at the banquet can see Banquo's ghost because __________

9. Macbeth's behavior at the banquet reveals his guilt to the other thanes because __________

10. Lady Macbeth's excuse that Macbeth has an old illness is effective because __________

11. Macbeth says "Blood will have blood" after seeing the ghost because __________

12. Macbeth becomes suspicious of Macduff at this point because __________

13. Macbeth decides to visit the witches again after the banquet because __________

14. Hecate appears to the witches in Scene 5 because __________

15. Hecate tells the witches to fill Macbeth with a "false sense of security" because __________

16. The contrast between what Macbeth imagines and what actually happens shows __________

17. Macbeth describes his mind as "full of scorpions" because __________

18. The ghost appears only to Macbeth and not to others because __________

19. Banquo dies warning Fleance to "fly" because __________

20. The third murderer's identity remains mysterious because __________

21. Macbeth's paranoia increases even though he has won the throne because __________

Answer Key

i) The witches' prophecy that Banquo's descendants will be kings means his own children will not inherit the throne; he fears that if the prophecy comes true, his murder of Duncan will have been pointless

ii) If Banquo's descendants become kings, then Macbeth's reign will be temporary and his children cannot continue his line; this threatens to make his ambition and crimes meaningless.

iii) He wants to maintain his appearance of respectability as king and keep his hands clean of direct murder; also, he can deny involvement if the murderers are caught or fail.

iv) He needs to motivate them to commit murder by making them believe Banquo wronged them; if they have personal grievance, they are more likely to act with determination rather than hesitation.

v) As long as Fleance lives, Banquo's line can still fulfill the prophecy and produce kings; Macbeth's entire motivation for murdering Banquo becomes pointless if his son survives.

vi) A coronation feast is traditionally held to celebrate a new king and establish his legitimacy; it shows the nobles that Macbeth is secure and confident in his new position.

vii) The ghost is a manifestation of Macbeth's guilt and paranoia, not a supernatural being; since only Macbeth feels this guilt, only his imagination can create the vision.

viii) The ghost is a psychological manifestation of Macbeth's guilty conscience rather than a real supernatural being; other people cannot see figments of someone else's guilty imagination.

ix) He shouts at an empty chair, which makes him appear insane or deeply disturbed; rational kings do not behave this way, and the thanes begin to suspect something is seriously wrong.

x) Many people experience old ailments or periodic illness that affects their behavior; the excuse seems plausible enough that the thanes accept it rather than probe deeper.