Act 3, Scene 2 Questions

1. Does Lady Macbeth seem happy in her new role as queen? Use evidence to explain why or why not. (Lines 6-9)

Lady Macbeth seems depressed because she believes the witches' predictions that Banquo's sons will be kings. She is so riddled with fear that she thinks the murdered Duncan is better off than she is. She implies this when she says, "Tis safer to be that which we destroy, / Than by destruction dwell in doubtful joy."

2. What advice does Lady Macbeth give to Macbeth? (Lines 10-14)

Lady Macbeth tells Macbeth to worrying (about Banquo's sons being kings) because there's nothing he can do about it. She says, "What's done is done." This is ironic considering Lady Macbeth was just worrying about the witches predictions and didn't take her own advice to stop thinking about them.

3. List all the reasons why Macbeth is unhappy. (Lines 15-30)

Macbeth is mainly unhappy because he is consumed by fear that he will be killed. He complains that he can't sleep and can't eat. Just like Lady Macbeth, he is so anxious that he envies the dead Duncan, since Duncan no longer has to worry about being stabbed or poisoned. Macbeth says, "nothing can touch him further."

4. What other advice does Lady Macbeth give to Macbeth? (Lines 31-33)

She tells Macbeth to act composed ("sleek over your rugged looks") and to  look happy in front of his guests. (This is yet another example of the fair and foul theme: Macbeth is advised to look and act "fair" but he feels "foul."

5. What does Macbeth tell Lady Macbeth to do in lines 34-40?

She tells Macbeth to act phoney abound Banquo. She advises him to show kindness and respect to Banquo, and even go so far as flattering him, all the while, making their faces masks to their hearts. (Again, this is an example of the fair and foul theme.)

6. Rewrite Macbeth’s final speech in modern English. (Lines 52-63)

This scene occurs after Macbeth tells Lady Macbeth that he will do something really evil.

Here is a modern/slang translation of what he says at the end of the scene:

Don't worry your pretty little head about what I am about to do. You will find out soon enough and jump for joy when you find out what I have done!

If only night could arrive sooner; I want it to be dark so I can tear someone (Banquo) to pieces and finally put an end to my anxiety.

So many bad things happen at night, like animals hunting their prey, witches casting spells, and killers murdering innocent lives.

Oh, hun, you seem freaked out at the way I am speaking. Don't worry. The more evil things we do, the easier it will get.