Act 3 Scene 2

Question 1

overview of act III scene ii

Answer 1

lady macbeth is also uneasy ; macbeth assures her that he will take some action - but he refuses to tell her more

Question 2

finish the quote: ‘doubtful…

Answer 2

…joy’

Question 3

finish the quote: ‘restless…

Answer 3

…ectasy’

Question 4

how does the couple feel about m’s position as king?

Answer 4

• both feel uneasy
• oxymorons - to show their mixed emotions
• they’ve got what they wanted but also feel guilty and uneasy

Question 5

How does Lady Macbeth feel in this scene?

Answer 5

She feels uneasy and dissatisfied despite achieving their goal. She expresses doubt and insecurity about their future.

Question 6

Finish the quote: ‘Naught’s had, all’s spent, where our desire is got…’

Answer 6

"’…without content.’”

Question 7

‘Naught’s had, all’s spent, where our desire is got without content.’

Answer 7

• Lady Macbeth realizes that their ambition hasn’t brought happiness.
• Suggests regret over their actions.
• Highlights the theme of power vs. satisfaction.

Question 8

Finish the quote: ‘Tis safer to be that which we destroy, than…’

Answer 8

"’…by destruction dwell in doubtful joy.’”

Question 9

‘Tis safer to be that which we destroy, than by destruction dwell in doubtful joy.’

Answer 9

• Lady Macbeth suggests it is better to be dead than live in fear.
• Shows how paranoia has taken hold of them.
• Reflects her growing emotional instability.

Question 10

Finish the quote: ‘We have scorched the snake, not…’

Answer 10

"’…killed it.’”

Question 11

‘We have scorched the snake, not killed it.’

Answer 11

• Macbeth acknowledges that their problems are not over.
• The ‘snake’ symbolizes threats to his throne (Banquo, Fleance).
• Shows his determination to remove all threats.

Question 12

Finish the quote: ‘Duncan is in his grave. After life’s fitful fever…’

Answer 12

"’…he sleeps well.’”

Question 13

finish the quote: ‘malice domestic…

Answer 13

…foreign levy’

Question 14

‘Duncan is in his grave. After life’s fitful fever, he sleeps well.’

Answer 14

• Macbeth envies Duncan’s peace in death.
• Ironically, he murdered Duncan but now sees death as an escape.
• Reinforces Macbeth’s growing despair.
• Duncan isn’t troubled by ‘malice domestic, foreign levy’
• Foreshadows Macduff’s uprising and English attack at the end of the play

Question 15

Finish the quote: ‘O, full of scorpions…’

Answer 15

"’…is my mind

Question 16

‘O, full of scorpions is my mind, dear wife!’

Answer 16

• Macbeth expresses his restless and tormented state.
• ‘Scorpions’ symbolize his dark thoughts and paranoia.
• Shows his obsession with eliminating threats.

Question 17

Finish the quote: ‘Be innocent of the knowledge, dearest chuck…’

Answer 17

"’…till thou applaud the deed.’”

Question 18

‘Be innocent of the knowledge, dearest chuck, till thou applaud the deed.’

Answer 18

• Macbeth keeps Lady Macbeth in the dark about Banquo’s murder.
• Marks a shift—Macbeth is now taking control.
• Their relationship dynamic is changing.

Question 19

finish the quote: ‘faces…

Answer 19

…vizards to our hearts’

Question 20

What is the significance of Act 3, Scene 2?

Answer 20

• Shows Macbeth and Lady Macbeth’s growing paranoia.
• Highlights the shift in power—Macbeth is becoming more independent and ruthless.
• Before, LM told him to ‘look like/ th’innocent flower’ - but now M tells her to flatter Banquo and make their ‘faces vizards to our hearts’
• Introduces his plan to kill Banquo, escalating the violence.

Question 21

finish the quote: ‘What’s…

Answer 21

..to be done?

Question 22

LM and Macbeth’s relationship

Answer 22

• change
• Macbeth hints that he plans to kill Banquo - but he refuses to confide in LM
• could be because he wants to protect LM from more guilt, or because he’s so driven by his own ambition that her opinion doesn’t matter
• Macbeth dominates the dialogue between them both - shift in power - LM asks Macbeth ‘What’s to be done?’

Question 23

how is an unsettling tone created in this scene?

Answer 23

• animal imagery
• ‘full of scorpions in my mind’
• ‘the bat has flown’
• sets an unsettling tone
• these animals remind the audience of evil and emphasise Macbeth’s feelings of insecurity and paranoia