Wednesday, April 16, 2014

MACBETH ACT 3 active reading notes


  • Banquo congratulates Macbeth on his coronation, doubts he was innocent in the Kings death...reminds Macbeth that the Witches also said that his sons would be Kings.
  • Macbeth asks excessive amounts of questions regarding what Banquo will do, where he will be and with whom he will be before coming back to Macbeth's banquet. (possibly plotting something?)
  • Macbeth delivers a soliloquy where he expresses he is afraid of Banquo; he does not want his loss of morality to be in vain, he wishes for his sons (and not Banquos) to be Kings. He will kill Banquo and any descendant of his that could challenge his crown. 
  • Macbeth has a second meeting with three murderers, he tells them Banquo is to blame for their misery and if they are true worthy men they will kill him.
  • Macbeth wants Banquo and his son Fleance both killed. 
  • Lady Macbeth says famous phrase "Whats done is done."
  • While talking to Lady Macbeth, Macbeth says that bad deeds force you to commit more bad deeds. They are in the rabbit hole.
  • Banquo is attacked by the three murderers and is murdered but Fleance manages to escape.
  • The first murderer tells Macbeth that Fleance has escaped. Macbeth says that he will worry about the young snake later when he has fangs.
  • Banquos ghost appears at Macbeth's banquet. Only Macbeth appears to see the ghost and makes a scene.
  • Lady Macbeth tells Macbeth that it is just another of his hallucinations (like the floating dagger pointing towards Duncan's room). Macbeth asks, if the dead are to return then why kill people in the first place?
  • The ghost vanishes, Macbeth apologizes for his outburst to his guests and says that what he did was normal for him.
  • Banquos ghost reapers and Macbeth says a toast in his name.
  • The dinner is ruined with Macbeths outbursts. He plans to see the Witches to learn more about his future and he reveals he has schemes he wishes to carry out.
  • Macduff and Macbeth are not on good terms.
  • The Witches are scolded by Hecate for revealing things to Macbeth without having had told him. He asks them to meet him at the pit of Acheron where they will have something planned for Macbeth (who will also be there).
  • A Lord informs Lennox of how Malcolm (Duncan's son, rightful heir to the throne) went to England, where he and King Edward plan to form an alliance between Malcolm and Northumberland to basically overthrow Macbeth and make his Scotland a better place. Macduff is in England also helping with that plan. Macbeth is angry and is preparing for war.
  • Seems as though Macbeth's kinsmen aren't happy with him as king, labeling him a tyrant. 

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