Act 3, scene 2, 3 and 4.

 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 her husband?

 For this scene, the following roles need to be read:  Lady Macbeth  Servant  Macbeth

 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

 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.’

 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?

 The following roles will need to be read for this scene:  Macbeth  Lords  Lady Macbeth  First Murderer  Lennox  Ross

 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?

 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?

 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?

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.’

 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?

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

 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?

 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