ISC Class 12 English Drama Macbeth Act 3 Scene 3 Important Question Answers
Macbeth Act 3 Scene 3 Question Answers: Looking for ISC Class 12 English Drama Macbeth Act 3 Scene 3 question answers? Look no further! Our comprehensive compilation of important questions will help you brush up on your subject knowledge. Practising ISC Class 12 English question answers can significantly improve your performance in the exam. Our solutions provide a clear idea of how to write the answers effectively. Improve your chances of scoring high marks by exploring Macbeth Act 3 Scene 3 now. The questions listed below are based on the latest ISC exam pattern.
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ISC Class 12 English Drama Macbeth Act 3 Scene 3 Textbook Questions
ASSIGNMENT
Question 1
Choose the correct options for the following questions:
1. Who is ‘you’ referred to in the first line of this scene?
(a) A soldier
(b) The third murderer
(c) A spy
(d) None of the above.
Ans. (b) The third murderer
2. Who is the ‘subject of our watch’ as stated by the first murderer?
(a) Banquo and Fleance
(b) Banquo and Ross
(c) Ross and Lennox
(d) None of the above.
Ans. (a) Banquo and Fleance
3. What is meant by ‘There’s but one done;’?
(a) Only first murderer is required
(b) The third murderer is killed
(c) Only one person is killed
(d) The murderers are killed.
Ans. (c) Only one person is killed
4. Which trait of Macbeth’s rule is highlighted in this scene?
(a) His tyrannical rule
(b) His democratic rule
(c) His autocratic rule
(d) His benevolent rule.
Ans. (a) His tyrannical rule
Question 2
Complete the following sentences by providing a reason for each:
1. Macbeth ‘needs not our mistrust’ because ___________________________________
Ans. Macbeth ‘needs not our mistrust’ because he has provided the Third Murderer with the exact same instructions and specific details that he gave to the first two, proving he was sent by the King himself.
2. Macbeth sent a third murderer behind two because ____________________________
Ans. Macbeth sent a third murderer behind two because he has become increasingly suspicious and consumed by anxiety; he does not fully trust anyone to carry out his commands perfectly without supervision.
ISC Class 11 English Drama Macbeth Act 3 Scene 3 Extra Question and Answers
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
Q1. Why does the Third Murderer say he has joined the first two?
A. He was looking for work in the palace.
B. He was sent by Macbeth to ensure the job was done correctly.
C. He is a friend of Banquo who wants to help him.
D. He wants to take the reward for himself.
Ans. B. He was sent by Macbeth to ensure the job was done correctly.
Q2. What time of day is it when the scene begins?
A. High noon
B. Early morning at sunrise
C. Twilight
D. The middle of a stormy night
Ans. C. Twilight
Q3. Why do Banquo and Fleance get off their horses before reaching the palace?
A. Their horses were tired and could not walk further.
B. It was customary for guests to walk the last bit of the way to the gate.
C. The horses were spooked by the murderers.
D. They heard a noise and wanted to investigate on foot.
Ans. B. It was customary for guests to walk the last bit of the way to the gate.
Q4. What is Fleance carrying when he and Banquo enter the scene?
A. A sword
B. A letter for Macbeth
C. A torch
D. A bag of gold
Ans. C. A torch
Q5. What is the weather like, according to Banquo, right before he is attacked?
A. It is a clear, starry night.
B. It is snowing heavily.
C. It is extremely windy.
D. It looks like it will rain.
Ans. D. It looks like it will rain.
Q6. What does Banquo shout to Fleance as he is being murdered?
A. Kill them all, Fleance!
B. Save me, my son!
C. Fly, good Fleance, fly, fly, fly!
D. Go to the palace and tell the King!
Ans. C. Fly, good Fleance, fly, fly, fly!
Q7. What happens to the light during the struggle?
A. It grows brighter so the murderers can see.
B. It is struck out, leaving the scene in darkness.
C. Fleance uses it to set the woods on fire.
D. It stays lit on the ground.
Ans. B. It is struck out, leaving the scene in darkness.
Q8. Which of the intended victims escapes the ambush?
A. Banquo
B. Both Banquo and Fleance
C. Neither of them
D. Fleance
Ans. D. Fleance
Q9. How do the murderers feel at the end of the scene?
A. Triumphant because Banquo is dead.
B. Relieved that the job is over.
C. Frustrated because they lost the best half of their mission.
D. Afraid that Banquo’s ghost is already chasing them.
Ans. C. Frustrated because they lost the best half of their mission.
Q10. What does the First Murderer decide they should do at the end of the scene?
A. Run away and hide in the mountains.
B. Go to Macbeth and tell him what has been accomplished.
C. Search the woods until they find Fleance.
D. Kill the Third Murderer for interfering.
Ans. B. Go to Macbeth and tell him what has been accomplished.
Fill Up Sentences
1. Macbeth sends a Third Murderer to join the first two __________.
Ans. Macbeth sends a Third Murderer to join the first two because he has become deeply paranoid and does not trust anyone to carry out his orders alone.
2. Banquo and Fleance dismount their horses and walk toward the palace __________.
Ans. Banquo and Fleance dismount their horses and walk toward the palace because it was customary for guests to leave their horses with servants and walk the final distance to the palace gates.
3. The Second Murderer says, ‘He needs not our mistrust’, regarding the Third Murderer __________.
Ans. The Second Murderer says, ‘He needs not our mistrust’, regarding the Third Murderer because the newcomer knows the specific details of the plan and the task they were assigned by Macbeth.
4. The murderers are able to ambush Banquo effectively __________.
Ans. The murderers are able to ambush Banquo effectively because the streaks of day are fading into twilight, allowing them to hide in the shadows of the park.
5. Banquo cries out to Fleance to ‘fly’ __________.
Ans. Banquo cries out to Fleance to ‘fly’ because he wants his son to survive so that he can eventually take revenge and fulfill the witches’ prophecy.
6. The torch is extinguished during the scuffle __________.
Ans. The torch is extinguished during the scuffle because one of the murderers strikes it out, causing the scene to descend into total darkness.
7. Fleance is able to escape into the woods __________.
Ans. Fleance is able to escape into the woods because the light was put out, making it impossible for the murderers to see him running away.
8. The murderers realize they have failed the ‘best half’ of their mission __________.
Ans. The murderers realize they have failed the ‘best half’ of their mission because Macbeth specifically told them that killing Fleance was just as important as killing Banquo.
9. This scene is considered a major turning point in the play __________.
Ans. This scene is considered a major turning point in the play because it is the first time Macbeth’s attempt to control fate fails, as Fleance lives to potentially become king.
10. Nature appears to be reacting to the violence __________.
Ans. Nature appears to be reacting to the violence because Banquo mentions it would rain that night, signaling the moral decay and chaos in Scotland.
Extra Questions
SHORT QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Q1. What is the significance of the Third Murderer appearing in this scene?
Ans. The sudden appearance of a Third Murderer is a powerful indicator of Macbeth’s deteriorating mental state and his complete loss of trust. Having already hired two men to kill Banquo, Macbeth sends a third to supervise them, showing that he is consumed by suspicion. He no longer believes his subordinates can execute his orders without oversight. For the audience, this mystery character creates a sense of unease and micromanagement from a distance. Some scholars argue the Third Murderer could be a servant or even Macbeth in disguise, though the dialogue suggests he is a separate entity. Ultimately, his presence highlights that Macbeth’s reign is built on suspicion; he is a tyrant who watches those he employs, creating a cycle of fear that eventually alienates his allies and leads to his downfall.
Q2. How does the imagery of light and dark play a role in the murder of Banquo?
Ans. Shakespeare uses light and darkness in this scene to symbolize the struggle between good and evil. Banquo and Fleance enter carrying a torch, which represents the light of Banquo’s nobility and his status as a righteous man. When the First Murderer asks, who strikes out the light, the physical darkness that follows mirrors the moral darkness of the murder itself. However, this darkness also acts as a double-edged sword for the killers. While the shadows allow them to ambush Banquo unseen, the resulting pitch-black environment is exactly what allows Fleance to escape. The ‘striking out’ of the light signifies the end of Banquo’s life, but because the light of the torch is extinguished, Macbeth’s goal of total control remains in the dark, symbolizing that evil cannot fully illuminate or secure its own future.
Q3. Explain the importance of Fleance’s escape to the plot of the play.
Ans. Fleance’s escape is the definitive turning point in Macbeth, marking the first time Macbeth’s attempt to manipulate fate actually fails. Up until this scene, Macbeth has successfully removed every obstacle in his path, including King Duncan. However, by surviving the ambush, Fleance ensures that the witches’ prophecy that Banquo’s descendants will one day be kings, remains a possibility. This failure shatters Macbeth’s illusion of absolute power and invincibility. It proves that despite his violence, he cannot cancel the destiny decreed by the supernatural sisters. The escape transforms Macbeth’s cold, calculated ambition into frantic, unchecked desperation. From this point forward, Macbeth’s actions become increasingly erratic and bloodthirsty as he realizes that his ‘fruitless crown’ is not secure and that the seed of Banquo, Fleance, still lives to threaten his legacy.
Q4. How does Banquo’s character sketch in his final moments contrast with Macbeth’s character?
Ans. In his final moments, Banquo is portrayed as a selfless and noble father, providing a sharp contrast to Macbeth’s growing egoism. While Macbeth is driven by a desire for personal power at any cost, Banquo’s final instinct is the protection of his son. His cry, ‘Fly, good Fleance, fly, fly, fly—thou mayst revenge’, shows that he cares more about his son’s survival and the future of his line than his own life. This act of paternal sacrifice reinforces Banquo’s role as the moral foil to Macbeth. While Macbeth kills to preserve his own status, Banquo dies to preserve the next generation. This distinction is crucial to the play’s themes of masculinity; Macbeth views manliness as cold-blooded violence, whereas Banquo demonstrates a masculinity rooted in loyalty, love, and the preservation of a legacy beyond himself.
Q5. Why is the setting of this scene outside the castle gates strategically and symbolically important?
Ans. The setting of a dark, wooded park near the palace is strategically chosen because it is a place of transition and vulnerability. In Shakespeare’s time, it was customary for guests to dismount their horses and walk the final distance to the palace gates, making them easy targets for an ambush. Symbolically, this outdoor setting represents the wild and lawless state that Scotland is entering under Macbeth’s rule. Inside the castle, there is a facade of royal order and hospitality, but outside in the darkness, the reality of Macbeth’s tyranny is laid bare. The setting also allows nature to reflect the horror of the crime; the ‘streaks of day’ are fading, and Banquo notes that it ‘will be rain tonight’. This use of pathetic fallacy suggests that the natural world is reacting to the unnatural act of a friend murdering a friend.
LONG QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Q1. How does the dialogue between the three murderers reflect the atmosphere of professional violence and anxiety?
Ans. The dialogue between the murderers is clipped, functional, and devoid of moral hesitation, which establishes an atmosphere of cold, professional violence. Rather than discussing the ethics of killing a nobleman like Banquo, they focus entirely on the logistics i.e. the timing of the sunset, the habits of travelers, and the specific sounds of horses. This clinical approach to murder shows how common violence has become in Macbeth’s Scotland. However, beneath this professionalism lies a layer of deep anxiety. The First and Second Murderers are immediately suspicious of the Third Murderer, questioning who bid him to join them. This shows that the environment of mistrust created by Macbeth has filtered down even to the lowest criminals. Their short, breathless sentences such as ‘A light, a light!’ and ‘Stand to’t’ build a sense of frantic tension. The scene’s brevity emphasizes that in a world ruled by a tyrant, life is cheap and death is a routine, almost mechanical affair. Even their reaction to the escape of Fleance is not one of remorse, but of technical frustration, as they lament losing the best half of their affair. This lack of humanity in their speech mirrors the spiritual vacuum that Macbeth himself is experiencing, where people are merely tools to be used and discarded.
Q2. Analyze the significance of Banquo’s final words regarding treachery and revenge.
Ans. Banquo’s final words, ‘O, treachery! Fly, good Fleance, fly, fly, fly—thou mayst revenge’, serve multiple functions in the play’s thematic structure. First, the word treachery confirms that Banquo recognizes the source of the attack. Though the murderers are strangers, Banquo likely realizes that only Macbeth had the motive to strike him down, confirming his earlier suspicions that Macbeth ‘playedst most foully’ for the crown. Second, his command to Fleance to ‘fly’ and seek revenge shifts the play’s plot from a story of ambition to a story of inevitable retribution. By urging his son to survive, Banquo ensures that the seed of his royalty survives, making Fleance a living symbol of Macbeth’s failure. This moment also defines Banquo’s character as the ultimate selfless father; he does not beg for his own life but uses his final breath to secure his son’s safety. The repetition of the word fly creates a sense of urgent movement that contrasts with Banquo’s own physical fall to the ground. This revenge does not necessarily mean Fleance will kill Macbeth himself, but rather that Fleance’s very existence acts as a punishment, as it guarantees that Macbeth’s ‘fruitless crown’ will never be passed to his own heirs. Banquo’s death is thus a physical defeat but a moral and prophetic victory.
Q3. How does the ‘striking out of the light’ serve as a metaphor for the political state of Scotland?
Ans. The moment the light is struck out is perhaps the most significant metaphorical action in the scene. Politically, the torch represents the last remnants of Duncan’s orderly and bright Scotland. Banquo was a hero of the state and a symbol of legitimate nobility; his murder in the dark signifies the total eclipse of justice and the rule of law under Macbeth’s tyranny. The fact that one of the murderers asks, ‘Was’t not the way?’ after the light is extinguished suggests that even the agents of evil are confused by the darkness they have created. This mirrors the chaos that Macbeth has unleashed upon his country; he thought he could control the darkness of his crimes, but here we see that darkness leads to unintended consequences, specifically, the escape of Fleance. On a broader level, the darkness represents the blindness of Macbeth’s ambition. He believes he can see the future through the witches, yet he is in the dark regarding the reality of his situation. The loss of the light proves that Macbeth’s power is not illuminating or glorious; it is a void that swallows both the innocent and the guilty alike. Scotland has become a place where men stumble and lose their way because the light of a legitimate, God-appointed king has been replaced by the murky shadows of a regicide’s reign.
Q4. What is the dramatic purpose of having the murder take place off-palace grounds rather than inside?
Ans. The choice to have Banquo murdered in a park near the palace, rather than within its walls, is a brilliant dramatic move by Shakespeare that highlights the theme of violated hospitality. While Duncan was murdered inside Macbeth’s home, a supreme breach of the host-guest bond and the murder of Banquo occurs on the periphery of Macbeth’s power. This suggests that while Macbeth is king inside the palace, his control over the natural world and the outdoors is weak. The setting also allows for the presence of horses and the walk to the gate, which builds suspense as the audience hears the victims before they see them. Dramatically, it creates a contrast between the civilized world of the upcoming banquet and the savage reality of the woods. Macbeth is trying to host a formal, elegant dinner to cement his status, but just outside his door, his men are hacking his friend to death. This proximity shows that Macbeth’s royalty is a thin veil over a bloody reality. Furthermore, the outdoor setting provides a logical reason for Fleance’s escape; in the wide, unlit park, he has a chance to disappear, whereas he would have been trapped inside a stone castle. The setting reinforces the idea that the wild forces of nature and fate cannot be contained by the walls of a man-made fortress or the decrees of a tyrant.
Q5. Discuss the psychological impact of the ‘Best half of our affair’ being lost on Macbeth’s character development.
Ans. When the Second Murderer remarks that they have lost the best half of their affair, he is referring to the escape of Fleance. This failure is psychologically devastating for Macbeth, though he has not heard the news yet in this specific scene. Up to this point, Macbeth’s descent into evil has been fueled by the hope that he could eventually find safety once all threats were eliminated. He murdered Duncan for the throne and now tries to murder Banquo to secure his legacy. However, the survival of Fleance introduces a permanent state of ‘restless ecstasy’ and fear into Macbeth’s mind. It proves to him that his crimes are for nothing; he has filed his mind and murdered his peace only to have the crown eventually pass to Banquo’s line anyway. This realization, triggered by the events of Scene 3, pushes Macbeth from being a calculating murderer into a reckless tyrant. Since he cannot control fate, he decides to fight against it with even more senseless violence. The best half being lost means that the scorpions in Macbeth’s mind will never be stilled. It shifts him from a man who kills for a specific goal to a man who kills out of pure, frantic desperation, leading directly to his decision to slaughter Macduff’s innocent family later in the play.