Act 3 scene 2 3 and 4 Macbeth

Act 3, scene 2, 3 and 4. Macbeth

Lesson Objective At the end of this lesson we will have discussed the changing relationship between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth.

What signs have we seen that Lady Macbeth is losing control over husband?

Act 3, scene 2 For this scene, the following roles need to be read: Lady Macbeth Servant Macbeth

Questions to consider How do we know that Macbeth has been spending his time brooding alone? Why has he been doing this? Consider how the following show Macbeth’s uneasiness with his current hold on the crown… We have scorched the snake, not killed it

Our poor malice/ Remains in danger of her former tooth sleep/ In the affliction of these terrible dreams/ That shake us nightly. Better be with the dead/ Whom we, to gain our peace, have sent to peace

Appearance vs Reality Both Lady Macbeth and Macbeth admit that they must appear happy. LM: ‘Sleek o’er your rugged looks, be bright and jovial’ M: ‘Make our faces visards to our hearts, / Disguising what they are. ’

Act 3, scene 3 Summary As you know, Macbeth has sent two murderers to take care of Banquo and Fleance. A third murderer joins the original two. Why do you suppose that is? Banquo is killed, but Fleance manages to escape. How do you suppose Macbeth will react to this news?

Act 3, scene 4 The following roles will need to be read for this scene: Macbeth Lords Lady Macbeth First Murderer Lennox Ross

‘Then comes my fit again’ When Macbeth hears that Fleance has escaped, how does he react? Now I am cabined, cribbed, confined, bound in/ To sausy doubts and fears.

Macbeth tries to reassure himself that having Banquo killed is good enough… There the grown serpent lies; the worm that’s fled/ Hath nature that in time will venom breed, / No teeth for th’ present. . . What does he consol himself with, regarding Fleance?

Macbeth the Hypocrite Look at the things Macbeth says about Banquo… Were the graced person of our Banquo present, / Who may I rather challenge for unkindness/ Than pity for mischance …to our dead friend Banquo, who we miss, /Would he were here! To all, and him we thirst/ And all to all. How is this hypocritical? Is Macbeth right to call attention to the absence of Banquo?

Questions to consider How does Lady Macbeth react to Macbeth’s strange actions in this scene? What sort of language does she use? What does she say to the guests?

How does Lady Macbeth feel about her husband? O proper stuff! O, these flaws and starts, / Imposters to true fear, would well become/ A woman’s story at a winter fire/ Authorized by her grandam. Shame itself!/ Why do you make such faces? When all’s done/ You look but on a stool.

Macbeth describes how it used to be that you’d kill a man and he’d be dead. Why does he think things have changed now, so that the dead now ‘rise again/ With twenty mortal murders on their crowns/ And push us from our stools. ’

Questions How does Macbeth act when the ghost is present? How does he act when the ghost disappears? How do you suppose the other guests feel about his actions?

What is he ON about…. . How would this scene contribute to a growing sense of unease amongst the Scottish nobility?

Banquo’s Ghost Just like the scene with the dagger, directors are left with a choice regarding whether or not the audience should see Banquo’s ghost. What do you think? What are the advantages? The disadvantages?

What would you have the ghost do, while Macbeth is ranting and raving away at it?

Lady Macbeth eventually takes control of the scene, ordering everyone else to leave. Why did she not dismiss the others sooner? Has the damage already been done?

‘It will have blood; they say, blood will have blood: ’ What does Macbeth mean in this line?

What conclusion does Macbeth draw about Macduff not attending the feast? What does he decide to do with Macduff? Why does Macbeth want to go see the witches?

30 second scene In groups of 5, try and see if you can produce a 30 second version of the scene, which focuses on the main action. You may wish to use the following roles: Macbeth Lady Macbeth Murder Lennox Ghost