MACBETH (ACT 1, SCENE 3)

ESSAY QS + LONG QS:

1. In this scene what is Macbeth’s reaction through the witches’ prophecies?

Ans: In this scene, Macbeth is shown to “start” and “seem to fear” things that “sound so fair”. He
seems “rapt withal”, after being told by the third witch that “he shalt be king hereafter”. To
heighten the dramatic effect, Banquo is made to notice immediately the effect of this on Macbeth’s
mind.

He then recovers himself and asks the witches to “stay”, who by not completing their speech leave
so much unsaid. He is excited, curious, impatient and solemnly urges the witches to “speak”. He
knows by Sinel’s death, he is the Thane of Glamis but he does not consider the prospect of
becoming the Thane of Cawdor less remote than that of becoming King, a thing that “stands not
within the prospect of belief”. He feels jealous and cannot forget that though he will be King,
Banquo’s descendants have promised kingship. He tries to sound Banquo’s mind. The words of the
witches have taken such hold on his mind.

Macbeth’s initial reaction points at once to his own half-formed designs; and the partial fulfillment,
which the message of Ross announces perturbs him still more. Trying to analyze the supernatural
soliciting, Macbeth speaks to himself, is tempted and his mind is crippled by the conjectures of the
future and the kingship. He is, thus, “rapt” and absent-minded.

2. How does Banquo react to the witches’ prophecies?

Ans: There is a remarkable contrast between the effect which the meeting with the three witches
has upon Macbeth and Banquo respectively. Banquo sees nothing ominous in the prophecies and
does not “start” like Macbeth, when it is predicted that he “will be father of kings”.

He is calm and collected. His curiosity is honest, his wonder rational. Guilty reflections do not disturb
his conscience. He does not seek the “favours” nor dread the curses of the witches. He assumed that
if the prophecies are to be fulfilled, the fulfillment will come as a matter of course. He is not jealous
of Macbeth and dismisses the witches from his thoughts as mere earth bubbles. He is not “rapt” like
Macbeth, however, wonders if the witches were real or figment of imagination or if they have taken
“the insane root” that “takes the reason prisoner”.

Taking a common sense view of the witches’ prophecies and greetings, Banquo even tries to
dissuade Macbeth from paying any great heed to them. They are “the instruments of Darkness”.
Macbeth probes Banquo’s mind but Banquo seems not to harbor any secret ambitions. He is, thus,
curious but skeptical. He shows the measured response to the prophecies. However, he sees into
Macbeth’s soul and his attention is fixed upon them.

3. Compare and contrast the effect of prophecies of the witches on Macbeth and Banquo.

Ans: There is a remarkable contrast between the effect which the meeting with the three witches
has upon Macbeth and Banquo respectively. The witches prophesied that the former “shalt be king
hereafter”, but the latter “shall get kings, thought thou be none”.

Macbeth is taken by surprise, seems to “fear things that do not sound so fair” and is startled.
Banquo, on the other hand, is not startled, is calm and collected but guilty reflections do not disturb
him. Both Macbeth and Banquo feel curious but Banquo’s curiosity is honest, his wonder rational.
Banquo dismisses the witches from his thoughts as mere earth bubbles; but not so Macbeth, who is
enthralled, “rapt withal” absent-minded and lost in his own musings. Banquo sees into Macbeth’s
soul, his attention is fixed upon him and tries to dissuade him from paying any greater heed to the
witches. Banquo takes a common sense view of the witch’s greeting whereas the prophecies seem
to have drawn out into the open Macbeth’s inmost thoughts, sinful secret ambitions.

The witches have not suggested murder but Macbeth’s thoughts instinctively jump to the idea of
regicide, “whose horrid image” shakes him. He is jealous of Banquo and also probes into his mind.
Thus Banquo considers the witches as “instruments of darkness’ while Macbeth is tempted to
consider them supernatural beings. According to Banquo, the witches win men swift honest trifles to
betray them to “deepest consequence”.

The partial fulfillment of the prophecies which the message of Ross announces perturbs Macbeth
still more. Although both are curious, Banquo is skeptical. The difference in their reactions is due to
the fact that while had Macbeth had inwardly harbored ambitious thoughts earlier, Banquo has
never thought about inheriting kingship. Banquo’s interest is, thus, academic and Macbeth’s that of
an interested criminal.

4. What is the significance of Macbeth’s soliloqui in this scene?

Ans: In this scene Banquo takes Ross and Angus apart, leaving Macbeth on the stage. The object of
this is to allow the audience a glimpse into Macbeth’s mind. Thus, Macbeth’s first soliloqui is
significant. Every word of this soliloqui shows the early birth of his guilt.

The witches have mentioned two true facts, namely, he is the Thane of Glamis and the Thane of
Cawdor. Just as good prologue introduces the play, so the “two truths” have introduced Macbeth to
the “Swelling act/of the imperial theme” in his excitement he has forgotten that he has already
thanked Ross and Angus, thinks that they are still at his side. But when on turning to them he finds
 that they are no longer there, he continues his soliloqui. This news first makes him happy, and then
terrifies him.

He tries to analyze “supernatural soliciting” and while doing so, he wanders why this frightens and
demoralizes him in a way that is contrary to all normal experience. He says that the idea of removing
the king by murder is yet near fancy, but even the imaginary idea of murder “horrid image” “doth
unfixed” his hair, “make his seated heart knock at his “ribs” and his “single state of man” is shaken.
He confesses that dreadful fancies of regarding the future overpower his senses and paralyze his
power of action. He begins to be consumed by “what is not”.

Thus, Macbeth quails before his own hallucinations regarding the future. Thus, this soliloqui is
characterized by a sense of foreboding and fear. Macbeth’s conscience here acts through his
imagination, sets it all on fire, and he is terror-stricken.

This soliloqui is also significant because it reveals Macbeth’s imaginativeness which makes him so
liable to the influences of superstition and which Nemesis uses as an instrument to punish him.
Here, Macbeth’s most hidden thoughts are brought out into the surface by the hags of destiny.

Macbeth is “rapt” while soliloquizing. He is strongly tempted but soon his words “If chance will have
me killed/Why, chance/May crown me/Without my stir” show how instinctively he shrinks from the
decisive actions. In this way, Macbeth’s internal conflict is revealed. Perhaps he is also still torn
between his ambition and loyalty to King Duncan. His soliloqui, then, is directed towards the self,
revealing his character.

5. What is Banquo’s warning to Macbeth about the witches’ prophecies?

Ans: Taking a common-sense view of the witches’ greetings, Banquo, in this scene tries to dissuade
Macbeth from paying any great heed to them. Seeing into the soul of Macbeth, Banquo warns him by
calling the witches “the instruments of darkness”.

He tells Macbeth that if it’s true that one of the predictions has been fulfilled. But that is no reason
why Macbeth should believe in all the literal implications of their words. Macbeth would then be
tempted to aim at becoming king and would not be satisfied with merely becoming Thane of Cawdor. It
is a trick played “often times, to win us to our harm”. Very often these evil agents tell what is true in
order to gain confidence and thereby ruin people. The fulfillment of the prophecy of the second witch is
perhaps misleading. They deal honestly with people in matters of trifling importance; and when they
have in this way led people who trust in them, they play false and “betrays/in deepest consequence”. In
this way, Banquo warns Macbeth about the witches’ prophecy.

6. How does Ross and Angus praise Macbeth for his success in battle? Also mention King Duncan’s
response?
Ans: In this scene, Ross and Angus praise Macbeth for his success in battle. They appreciate him for
his heroism and military skill. They promptly deliver the news of King Duncan’s happiness to
Macbeth as an acknowledgement of Macbeth’s bravery and contribution to Scotland.

They “give” Macbeth from “our royal master thanks” and inform him how King Duncan is amazed at
Macbeth’s “personal venture in the rebel’s fight” and is so filled with admiration that he is left
speechless. They glorify Macbeth and also tell him that several messengers came to the king in quick
succession to freely praise Macbeth.

Ross, as a token “of a greater honour” which the king will bestow upon him, addresses Macbeth, on
the king’s behalf, as the thane of Cawdor. Ross and Angus greet Macbeth, most worthy thane, with
this title. They, thus, have come only to escort him into the king’s presence.

They treat Macbeth with respect, a sense of gratitude, pride and gladness.

King Duncan is torn between two conflicting emotions. On one hand, he is lost in silent wonder at
Macbeth’s heroic exploits on the other, he is anxious to give adequate expression to his gratitude.
He is very happy and pleased. He has sent Ross to bring Macbeth to him. This is the King’s response.

7. Give an account of the dialogue between Macbeth and Banquo which followed their meeting
with the witches. Does this conversation throw any light on the character of the speakers?
Elucidate.

Ans: Macbeth and Banquo have a deep conversation after meeting the witches. Ross and Angus
bring news that the king is very happy with Macbeth’s achievements and he wants to give him the
title of ‘Thane of Cawdor’. The current Thane of Cawdor is alive, but he’s been sentenced to death
for being disloyal. This means the witches’ second prophecy has come true, which makes Macbeth
feel safe. Banquo is surprised that part of the witches’ prophecy has come true and wonders, “Are
the devils telling the truth?”. Macbeth asks Banquo if he believes his sons will be kings. Banquo says
that if the witches’ prophecies are true, then Macbeth will definitely be the king of Scotland. But he
finds it strange that these dark creatures encourage them to do bad things that will eventually harm
them. They seem to win their trust with small truths but will betray them when it matters most.
Banquo calls the witches ‘instruments of darkness’, but Macbeth is too caught up in his ambitions to
understand what Banquo is warning him about. Macbeth keeps thinking about the witches’ words
and asks Banquo to do the same. He then asks Banquo to leave. Their conversation shows their
different reactions to the witches’ prophecy. Macbeth is fascinated, while Banquo thinks they are
evil and warns Macbeth about them. Banquo seems more logical and practical, and views the
witches as meaningless ‘bubbles’ of the earth. Even when part of the witches’ prophecy about
Macbeth comes true, he remains skeptical. Macbeth and Banquo are like two opposite poles.