MACBETH
Period 6
Act III
Scene iii
Members
Character Roles
● Abby Carter
● Murderer #1
● Josh Byers
● Murderer #2
● Hanna Mariskanish
● Murderer #3
● Ethan Shuba
● Banquo
● ?
● Fleance
Questions
1.) Q: Who escapes from the murderers? At what cost? How is this a turning point
in the play? (Hanna)
A: Fleance escapes from the murderers, at the cost of trying to save his father’s
life. This is the turning point because Macbeth hired three assassins to kill Banquo
and Fleance because Macbeth is scared of Banquo finding out he killed Duncan.
2.) Q: Banquo’s final words are “Oh, treachery! Flee, good Fleance! Flee, Flee,
Flee! You must seek revenge!” What do Banquo’s final words reveal about
him? (Ethan)
A: His words reveal about him that he knew they were plotting against him and
that they were going to kill him.
Questions
3.) Q: The number three appeared in the beginning scenes and is significant
throughout the play, i.e. number of witches and now number of murderers. How is
this number significant in this scene? How do you think it will be important at the
play’s end? (Josh)
A: It is significant because there is 3 murders. I think it's going to be significant in
the end of the book because I think a 3rd group of people are going to appear. So
there are going to be the group of witches, murderers and another group of 3.
4.) Q: How would the plot change if both Banquo and Fleance escaped the
murderers? Explain. (Abby)
A: The plot would change because Banquo would be able to live and discuss with
Macbeth with why he tried to get people to kill him Banquo may think of Macbeth
as as a traitor for what he did.
Critical Thinking Questions (Part 1)
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Themes
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Q: What happens to the sun and the torch in this scene? How does this develop
Macbeth’s theme of darkness? (Hanna)
■
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Q: Explain how this scene demonstrates the theme of fate vs. free will? (Ethan)
■
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Both the sun and the torch go out at the same time the three murderers kill Banquo. This
developes Macbeth’s theme of darkness because William Shakespeare uses darkness
and evil as a dominant theme because it captivates the audience and provides an
intriguing setting for the play.
This demonstrates fate vs free will because it wasn't Banquo’s fate to die. It was
their free will to decide to kill him.
Plot Speculation
○
Q: How does the outcome of the murderers’ efforts relate to the witches’ prophecy about
Banquo? (Josh)
■ This outcome of the murderers’ efforts relate to the witches’ prophecy about Banquo is
that he will not be king, but will be father to future generations of kings.
Critical Thinking Questions (Part 2)
●
Plot Speculation
○
○
Q: Some scholars consider the climax of Act III to be when Fleance escapes while
others consider it to be when Macbeth is notified about the escape. Which do you
believe to be the climax of Act III? (Hanna)
■ I believe the climax of Act III is when Fleance escapes because the murderers
were supposed to kill both Banquo and Fleance but they only killed Banquo,
and now since Fleance escaped he has the chance to find out who order them
to be killed.
Q: Due to dramatic irony, a “third murderer” shows up right before the attack on
Banquo and his son, Fleance. Make an inference: He claims to have been sent by
Macbeth, however, who else could’ve possibly sent the murderer and WHY? Make
a list of possible characters and reasons. Lastly, choose one and defend and your
choice. (Josh)
■ The witches could have sent the third murder because they wanted to make
sure Flance and Duncan were dead so they sent another murder to make sure
the job got done.
Critical Thinking Questions (Part 3)
●
Q: Generalize: What does this Act, especially Scene iii, suggest about the
effects of evil on evildoers? Explain. (Abby)
○
The witches encouraged Macbeth to cheat his way to being King, Banquo pointed out. Also
Macbeth went further into his plan of staying King by trying to murder Banquo and his son
Fleance because the witches had said that Banquo’s sons would all be Kings. Macbeth showed
evil because he is selfish and has lost his true thoughts because of his knowledge of the
witches’ prophecies.
Test Questions
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❖
The assassins fail in their mission largely because…
➢ The torch was extinguished too early.
The most significant consequence of Fleance’s escape is that he can now…
➢ Expose Duncan’s murderer.
“Our fears in Banquo/Stick deep,and in his royalty of nature/Reigns that which would be
feared./’Tis much he dares,/And to that dauntless temper of his mind/He hath a wisdom
that doth guide his valor/To act in safety.” Analyze this quote.
This quote is saying is that Macbeth is afraid of Banquo. And Macbeth is saying that
there’s something noble about Banquo that makes him fear him. Also Banquo is willing
to take risks, and his mind never stops working. Banquo has the wisdom to act bravely
but also safely.