Act III — Flashcards

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Macbeth fears Banquo because Banquo is wise, brave, and dangerous to his throne. Macbeth believes Banquo’s mind guides his courage safely, so Banquo is not easy to control. He also fears the prophecy …

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The prophecy says that Banquo will father a line of kings, while Macbeth will not pass the throne to his own descendants. This makes Macbeth insecure because his kingship feels temporary and unsafe.

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Macbeth means that power has no real value if it is filled with fear. He has become king, but he cannot enjoy the crown because he worries about Banquo and the prophecy. For Macbeth, security matters …

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Macbeth convinces the murderers by telling them Banquo caused their past troubles. He uses a catalogue of dogs to test their manhood and pushes them to prove themselves. He also hides the plan by pres…

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Macbeth compares different kinds of dogs to different kinds of men. The point is that people can be ranked by their qualities, and a man should prove he is not the lowest kind. This speech pressures t…

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The Third Murderer is a distinct character sent by Macbeth to join the two original murderers. He is not part of the first pair, and he confirms Macbeth’s deeper control over the murder plan.

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The Third Murderer shows Macbeth’s growing secrecy and caution. Macbeth no longer trusts the task to chance alone, so he adds another assassin to make the murder more certain.

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Banquo is ambushed and killed by the murderers in the park near the palace. He is attacked after asking casually about rain, which shows that he is unaware of the danger. Fleance escapes.