Act 3 Scene 1 


Macbeth


In this scene there is an emphasis on manliness associated with courage. Macbeth’s inflated pride in his ownmanly courage and his excessive ambition causes himto challenge Fate itself. Macbeth persuades themurderers to kill Banquo by appealing to theirmasculinity.He says that if they are to be considered real men (‘if you have a station in the file, / Not i' the worst rank ofmanhood’) theywill carry out this ‘courageous’act. This echoes LadyMacbeth’s persuasive tactics in Act 1.


Questions 1. Summarise themain points of Banquo’s soliloquy which he gives at the start of the scene.


2. Why does Macbeth arrange the murders of Banquo and Fleance? Use quotations in your response.


3. What reason does Macbeth give the murderers for not publicly ordering the death of Banquo?


4. Comparing this scene with the first two acts of the play, in what ways has Macbeth changed?


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