Act III, Scene 2

1. She is trying to continue the closeness that they had as a couple before they murdered
King Duncan.

2. Duncan’s peace in death is to be envied when compared to Macbeth’s mental

anguish…Duncan no longer fears poisonings, assasinations, civil war, or foreign
invasion.

3. He calls her “love,” “dear wife,” and “dearest chuck.”

4. His mind is full of scorpions.

5. He drops hints, but does not reveal the plan.

Act III, Scene 3

1. The third murderer could be Macbeth’s servant, Sexton; it could be Macbeth in

disguise; or it could be one of the witches to ensure that the prophecy comes true.

2. Macbeth’s mental decling into despair and insanity begins with the escape of Fleance.
(King James was a descendant of Fleance)

Act III, Scene 4

1. It is better for Banquo’s blood to be on the murderer than in Banquo. OR…It is better
to have the murderer in the castle than Banquo.

2. Tortured mind…honor…guests become upset

3. Lady Macbeth claims he is ill…recurring illness

4. Lady Macbeth chides Macbeth. She says he is being superstitious, and is listening to
old wive’s tales.

5. Macduff’s absence causes Macbeth’s paranoia to worsen. He begins to suspect

everyone.

6. He is so paranoid that he has created his own spy network.

7. After more murders he will nor longer feel guilt or remorse.

8. Macbeth betrays his crimes…Macbeth is in such a downward spiral that he seeks out
the forces of evil…fears civil unrest…rapid decline of both King and Kingdom.

Act III, Scene 5

1. It is a false sense of security.

2. To meet the witches to get answers to questions.

3. No, it was probably written by the playwright, Thomas Middleton.

Act III, Scene 6

1. Ironic

2. Macduff is strong of character and takes action.

Act IV, Scene 1

1. The day after the banquet, in a cave, with a caldron.

2. To meet the witches to get answers to questions.

3. He has a challenging and demanding tone of voice.

4. The armed head is actually a symbol of Macbeth’s beheading. However, Macbeth

believes it shows him victorious in battle.

5. “Beware Macduff, Thane of Fife.”

6. Macbeth thinks this means he must kill Macduff. This actually means that Macduff
will kill Macbeth.

7. This confirms Macbeth’s fears of Macduff.

8. It is a bloody child, representing Macduff at birth.

9. No born of women arm Macbeth.

10. Macbeth believes it means he is invincible. However, this actually means that
someone born by Caesarian Section could harm him.

11. “The live Macduff, what need I fear you!”

12. He wants a guarantee from fate.

13. A crowned child, holding a tree branch in his hand represents Malcolm. The saying
that “Macbeth will not be defeated until Birnham wood moves on Dunsinane..” was
misinterpreted by Macbeth. He thought this meant he was safe. It actually foreshadows
Malcolm’s plan for the siege of Macbeth’s castle, involving camouflage.
14. Macduff has fled to England.

15. Macbeth has lost all of his unsurety. He is now a relentless and ruthless murderer. He
plans to massacre Macduff’s wife and children.

16. They are no threat to him, yet he wants them wiped out.

Act IV, Scene 2

1. She is angry, hurt, bewildered, and feels deserted.

2. It shows a loving relationship between mother and son, as well as the intelligence of
Macduff’s lively young son.

3. Danger

4. She is confused at first, but before she can act the murderers are upon her.

5. Son is murdered onstage, but Lady Macduff is murdered offstage.

Act IV, Scene 3

1. To persuade Malcolm to return to Scotland with an army.

2. He is testing Macduff’s loyalty to Scotland and to him.

3. When Macduff becomes angry and denounces Malcolm, and groans for the fate of
Scotland. (Line 100)

4. Family and entire household has been wiped out.

5. Pledge to avenge the murders, and plan an invasion.

Act V, Scene 1

1. She is burdened and oppressed. She has a disease of the mind, not the body.

2. Act II, Scene 2: “..a little water should clean us of this.”

3. Yes

Act V, Scene 2

1. He has taken a position behind the impregnable walls of Dunsinane.

2. He is either insane, or suffering from valiant fury.

Act V, Scene 3

1. Still relies on the prophecies.

2. Mood swings…irritation, rejection…courageous fury

3. He snaps at them and rebukes them.

4. He is preoccupied…He no longer feels invincible.

Act V, Scene 4&5

1. The English and Scottish forces have joined and are marching on Dunsinane. Malcolm
tells the soldiers to chop down and carry a branch for camoflauge. Therefore, Birnam
Wood does indeed march on Dunsinane.

2. Resignation and reflection on the briefness of human life.

3. The news from the servant that it looks as if Birnam Wood is moving on Dunsinane.

Act V, Scene 6&7

1. Builds up the final battle with Macduff.

2. It gives Macbeth a false sense of hope.

Act V, Scene 8

1. It gives them hope that Macbeth might temporarily redeem himself.

2. Macduff was not born of women, rather Caesarian Section.

3. It is more dramatic for the death to be offstage.

4. Macduff declares that Macbeth is dead, and he shows the rebellion leaders Macbeth’s
head.