ISC Class 12 English Drama Macbeth Act 3 Scene 5 Important Question Answers
Macbeth Act 3 Scene 5 Question Answers: Looking for ISC Class 12 English Drama Macbeth Act 3 Scene 5 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 5 now. The questions listed below are based on the latest ISC exam pattern.
Related:
ISC Class 12 English Drama Macbeth Act 3 Scene 5 Textbook Questions
ASSIGNMENT
Question 1
Choose the correct options for the following questions:
1. Who is referred to as Hecate’ by the first witch?
(a) The mother of witches
(b) The queen of witches
(c) The familiar of witches
(d) None of the above.
Ans. (b) The queen of witches
2. Why was Hecate angry with the witches?
(a) They dealt with Macbeth without her permission
(b) They gave their prophecy in one go to him
(c) They told him the prophecies in the presence of Banquo
(d) All of the above.
Ans. (a) They dealt with Macbeth without her permission
3. What is referred to as the ‘glory of our art’?
(a) Witchcraft
(b) Making fool of others
(c) To spread gloom
(d) To punish men for their evil deeds.
Ans. (a) Witchcraft
4. Which traits of Macbeth are mentioned by Hecate in this scene?
(a) Spiteful
(b) Wrathful
(c) Selfish
(d) All of the above.
Ans. (d) All of the above.
5. What would Hecate use to produce magical powers to cast a spell on Macbeth?
(a) Drops of water from Acheron Lake
(b) Vapours formed in the cauldron
(c) Drop of moisture from moon
(d) None of the above.
Ans. (c) Drop of moisture from moon
6. What would NOT be the effect of Hecate’s spell on Macbeth?
(a) He will defy fate
(b) He will be in contempt
(c) He will go beyond the limits of wisdom
(d) He will challenge the Gods
Ans. (d) He will challenge the Gods
7. What, according to Hecate, is man’s greatest enemy?
(a) False pride
(b) False sense of security
(c) Ignorance of self-worth
(d) Over-ambition.
Ans. (b) False sense of security
8. According to Hecate, when must ‘Great business’ be wrought?
(a) At down
(b) At dusk
(c) At might
(d) Before noon
Ans. (d) Before noon
9. How would Hecate use the ‘vaporous drop’?
(a) To raise unnatural spirits
(b) To create illusions
(c) To misdirect Macbeth
(d) All of the above
Ans. (d) All of the above
10. Which of the following reflects Hecate’s plan to deal with Macbeth?
(P) To trade and traffic with Macbeth.
(Q) Love for his own ends, not for you.
(R) Shall raise such artificial sprites.
(S) Bear his hopes above wisdom, grace and fear.
(a) (P) and (Q)
(b) (Q) and (R)
(c) (R) and (S)
(d) (S) and (Q)
Ans. (c) (R) and (S)
Question 2
Complete the following sentences by providing a reason for each:
1. Hecate is angry with the witches because__________________. [PYQ2025]
Ans. Hecate is angry with the witches because they dared to deal with Macbeth in matters of death without inviting her to participate or show the glory of their magical arts.
2. Hecate feels it is pointless to help Macbeth because__________________.
Ans. Hecate feels it is pointless to help Macbeth because he is a wayward son who is selfish and only cares about the witches’ prophecies for what they can give him, rather than having any true devotion to the cause of evil.
3. Hecate refers to Macbeth as a wayward man because__________________.
Ans. Hecate refers to Macbeth as a wayward man because he has strayed from the path of moral goodness but also fails to be a loyal servant to the dark forces, acting only out of spite and personal greed.
4. Hecate says that Macbeth would come near the lake Acheron because__________________.
Ans. Hecate says that Macbeth would come near the lake Acheron because he is desperate to know his future and will seek out the witches at that specific meeting place to demand more information about his destiny.
5. The apparitions produced by Hecate would lead Macbeth to his doom because__________________.
Ans. The apparitions produced by Hecate would lead Macbeth to his doom because they will give him a false sense of invincibility, causing him to become overconfident and disregard the common sense and caution that might have saved him.
ISC Class 11 English Drama Macbeth Act 3 Scene 5 Extra Question and Answers
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
Q1. Who is the primary speaker and authority figure in this scene?
A. Lady Macbeth
B. The First Witch
C. Hecate
D. Macbeth
Ans: C. Hecate
Q2. Why is Hecate angry with the three Witches?
A. They failed to kill Banquo’s son, Fleance.
B. They gave Macbeth prophecies without consulting her first.
C. They allowed Macbeth to become King of Scotland.
D. They revealed their secrets to a mortal.
Ans: B. They gave Macbeth prophecies without consulting her first.
Q3. How does Hecate describe Macbeth’s character?
A. As a noble but misguided hero.
B. As a wayward son who only cares about himself.
C. As a dedicated servant of the dark arts.
D. As a victim of a cruel and unfair fate.
Ans: B. As a wayward son who only cares about himself.
Q4. Where does Hecate tell the Witches to meet her the following morning?
A. At Macbeth’s castle in Inverness.
B. At the palace in Forres.
C. At the pit of Acheron.
D. On the battlefield where they first met.
Ans: C. At the pit of Acheron.
Q5. What does Hecate intend to catch from the corner of the moon?
A. A silver beam of light.
B. A vaporous drop.
C. A falling star.
D. A magical shadow.
Ans: B. A vaporous drop.
Q6. What is Hecate’s ultimate goal for Macbeth?
A. To help him defeat his enemies and remain King.
B. To lead him to his confusion or ultimate ruin.
C. To turn him into a powerful wizard.
D. To convince him to confess his crimes.
Ans: B. To lead him to his confusion or ultimate ruin.
Q7. What does Hecate say is ‘mortals’ chiefest enemy’?
A. Fear
B. Ambition
C. Security
D. Guilt
Ans: C. Security
Q8. What will the ‘magic sleights’ create to trick Macbeth?
A. Artificial sprites and illusions.
B. Real gold and treasures.
C. A magical shield for protection.
D. A map of his future.
Ans: A. Artificial sprites and illusions.
Q9. Who is waiting for Hecate in a foggy cloud?
A. The ghost of King Duncan.
B. Her spirit
C. The goddess Athena.
D. Macbeth’s conscience.
Ans: B. Her spirit
Q10. What is the weather during this scene, as indicated by the stage directions?
A. Sunny and bright.
B. Snowing and freezing.
C. Thunder and lightning.
D. Foggy and silent.
Ans: C. Thunder and lightning.
Fill Up Sentences
Complete the following sentences by providing a reason for each:
1. Hecate calls the three witches ‘beldams’ and ‘saucy’ because _____________.
Ans. Hecate calls the three witches ‘beldams’ and ‘saucy’ because they acted independently and shared prophecies with Macbeth without her knowledge or supervision.
2. Hecate is specifically offended by the witches’ actions because _____________.
Ans. Hecate is specifically offended by the witches’ actions because she considers herself the close instigator of all harms and the mistress of their charms, yet she was never called to show the glory of her art.
3. Hecate views Macbeth as an unworthy recipient of their magic because _____________.
Ans. Hecate views Macbeth as an unworthy recipient of their magic because he is a wayward son who is spiteful and wrathful, using the supernatural only for his own selfish gains.
4. Hecate instructs the witches to meet her at the pit of Acheron in the morning because _____________.
Ans. Hecate instructs the witches to meet her at the pit of Acheron in the morning because she knows that Macbeth is desperate and will come there to learn more about his destiny.
5. Hecate must spend the night working toward a ‘dismal and a fatal end’ because _____________.
Ans. Hecate must spend the night working toward a ‘dismal and a fatal end’ because she plans to perform a massive piece of magic that must be completed before noon the next day.
6. Hecate intends to catch a vaporous drop from the corner of the moon because _____________.
Ans. Hecate intends to catch a vaporous drop from the corner of the moon because she needs to distill its magical properties to create powerful illusions and artificial sprites.
7. Hecate wants to overwhelm Macbeth with illusions because _____________.
Ans. Hecate wants to overwhelm Macbeth with illusions because she intends to draw him into a state of total confusion and psychological ruin.
8. Macbeth will eventually ‘spurn fate’ and ‘scorn death’ because _____________.
Ans. Macbeth will eventually ‘spurn fate’ and ‘scorn death’ because the spirits Hecate creates will give him a false sense of invincibility and power.
9. Hecate believes that giving Macbeth a sense of security is the best way to destroy him because _____________.
Ans. Hecate believes that giving Macbeth a sense of security is the best way to destroy him because overconfidence is the greatest enemy of mortals and leads them to abandon wisdom and caution.
10. The scene concludes with the witches hurrying to finish their preparations because _____________.
Ans. The scene concludes with the witches hurrying to finish their preparations because Hecate has been called away by her spirit and they want to have everything ready before she returns.
Extra Questions
SHORT QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Q1. Why is Hecate’s anger toward the three Witches significant to the plot?
Ans. Hecate’s anger is significant because it shifts the power dynamic of the play’s supernatural elements. Until this point, the three Witches appeared to be the primary architects of Macbeth’s fate. However, Hecate’s entrance reveals a strict hierarchy where even the Witches are subordinates who must answer to a higher authority. She scolds them for being ‘saucy and overbold’ by interacting with Macbeth without her permission. This transition is vital because it marks the moment the Witches’ mischief turns into a coordinated effort for total destruction. Hecate decides to take personal charge of the situation, moving from simple prophecies to complex, magical manipulations. By asserting her dominance, she ensures that Macbeth’s path is no longer just about his own choices, but about a deliberate, divine trap set by the goddess of witchcraft herself to ensure his ultimate ruin.
Q2. How does Hecate describe Macbeth, and what does this reveal about his character?
Ans. Hecate describes Macbeth as a wayward son who is spiteful and wrathful. She points out that he ‘loves for his own ends’, meaning he only cares about the Witches’ prophecies because they serve his personal ambition, not because he has any true devotion to the dark arts or the supernatural. This description is crucial because it suggests that Macbeth is not a true villain of the spirit world, but rather a selfish, greedy human using dark forces as tools. To Hecate, Macbeth is unworthy of the glory of their art. Her critique reveals that Macbeth has become isolated from both humanity and the supernatural; he is too evil for the world of men but too selfishly human for the world of the Witches. He is a tool of chaos who doesn’t even realize he is being looked down upon by the very spirits he trusts.
Q3. What is the meaning and importance of Hecate’s statement that ‘security is mortals’ chiefest enemy’?
Ans. This statement is one of the most important thematic lines in the play because it outlines Hecate’s psychological strategy for destroying Macbeth. In this context, security does not mean safety, but rather overconfidence or a false sense of invincibility. Hecate knows that if Macbeth feels fearful, he will remain cautious and alert. However, if she can make him feel absolutely secure through misleading prophecies, he will become reckless and abandon wisdom, grace, and fear. This theme explores the idea that human ego is a greater weakness than any physical blade. By feeding his pride, Hecate ensures that Macbeth will hate fate and death, leading him to make the fatal mistakes that result in his downfall. It highlights the tragic irony that the moment Macbeth feels most safe is actually when he is in the greatest danger.
Q4. What are Hecate’s specific plans for Macbeth the following morning?
Ans. Hecate commands the Witches to meet her at the pit of Acheron in the morning, where she knows Macbeth will come to seek answers about his destiny. She intends to spend the night preparing a sad and a fatal end for him. Her plan involves catching a vaporous drop from the corner of the moon before it hits the ground. She will then distill this celestial liquid using magic trickery to create artificial sprites or spirits. These illusions are designed to confuse Macbeth and provide him with the false sense of security she discussed. This plan sets the stage for Act 4, Scene 1, where the ghosts appear to Macbeth. It shows that the supernatural forces are no longer just predicting the future; they are actively manufacturing a deceptive reality to manipulate Macbeth’s actions and lead him toward his death.
Q5. How does the setting and atmosphere of Scene 5 reinforce the play’s supernatural themes?
Ans. The setting of a desolate heath accompanied by thunder and lightning reinforces the theme of natural disorder. In Macbeth, bad weather always signals that the moral and political order of Scotland has been broken. The heath is a wild, uncultivated space that exists outside the boundaries of human law, making it the perfect territory for Hecate to assert her power. The atmosphere is sadness and fatal, mirroring the darkening state of Macbeth’s soul. Furthermore, Hecate’s mention of the moon and her little spirit sitting in a foggy cloud expands the play’s universe to include the celestial and the underworld. This atmospheric shift reminds the audience that while Macbeth is fighting for an earthly crown, he is actually caught in a much larger, cosmic battle between grace and damnation. The dark, misty setting physically represents the confusion Hecate intends to cast over Macbeth’s mind.
LONG QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Q1. How does the rhythmic style of Hecate’s speech differ from other characters, and why is this significant?
Ans. Hecate’s speech stands out because she primarily speaks in iambic tetrameter with rhyming couplets, which sounds more like a rhythmic chant or a song than the blank verse used by the noblemen. While the three Witches often speak in trochaic tetrameter, a ‘falling’ rhythm that sounds eerie and unnatural, Hecate’s lines are more structured and polished. This stylistic choice is significant because it immediately establishes her as a superior being. The rhyme and meter give her words a sense of inevitable power and ritualistic control. When she speaks of catching the ‘vaporous drop’ from the moon or distilling ‘magic sleights’, the musicality of her language masks the deadly nature of her intent. This contrast is vital to the play’s theme of ‘fair is foul’; her words are pleasing to the ear but contain the sad and fatal end of the protagonist. The shift in rhythm signals to the audience that they have moved from the gritty, bloody reality of Macbeth’s political murders into a higher, more orchestrated level of cosmic malice where language itself becomes a tool for deception.
Q2. What is the significance of Hecate’s reference to Acheron in the context of Macbeth’s journey?
Ans. Hecate commands the Witches to meet her at the pit of Acheron, which is a direct reference to one of the five rivers of the underworld in classical Greek mythology, often known as the river of woe. By choosing this specific location for their next meeting with Macbeth, Hecate is symbolically suggesting that Macbeth is no longer just a criminal in Scotland, but a soul that is already belonging to the underworld. This setting reinforces the idea that Macbeth’s path has led him to the gates of hell itself. It is significant because it elevates the play from a local political struggle to a classical tragedy with mythological proportions. By using the name Acheron, Shakespeare anchors the story in a tradition of divine punishment and inescapable doom. When Macbeth arrives at this pit in the following act, he is literally and figuratively descending into the depths of darkness to seek knowledge that is forbidden to mortals. The reference also highlights Hecate’s status as a classical deity who has the power to bridge the gap between the living world and the land of the dead. It foreshadows that the destiny Macbeth seeks to know will not lead to his continued reign, but to his spiritual and physical journey across the river of death from which there is no return.
Q3. How does Hecate’s critique of Macbeth’s motives change the audience’s perception of his evil?
Ans. Hecate’s critique of Macbeth as a wayward son, who is spiteful, wrathful, and loves for his own ends is a fascinating moment that forces the audience to reconsider Macbeth’s villainy. Usually, we think of a villain as someone who is fully committed to the side of evil, but Hecate suggests that Macbeth is actually a failure even at being a good servant of darkness. She views his murders and ambition as petty and selfish rather than grand and dedicated to the glory of the dark arts. This reveals a layer of pathetic evil in Macbeth; he is not a dark priest or a devoted follower of the Witches, but merely a man who is using supernatural forces as a shortcut to power. This changes the perception of his character by making him seem smaller and more manipulated. If the goddess of witchcraft herself finds him rude and unworthy, it implies that Macbeth is being played by both sides, he has lost his humanity, yet he is held in contempt by the supernatural world he tried to join. This adds a level of tragic isolation to his character. He is not a partner to the Witches; he is their victim and their laughingstock. Hecate’s disdain shows that Macbeth has committed the ultimate sin of pride by thinking he could ‘trade and traffic’ with spirits for his own benefit without paying a spiritual price.
Q4. What role does the vaporous drop from the moon play in Hecate’s magical plan?
Ans. Hecate describes a vaporous drop hanging from the corner of the moon that she intends to catch before it hits the ground. This profound drop is a primary ingredient for the magic sleights she plans to perform. In Renaissance folklore, the moon was often associated with madness and the changing of tides and minds. By distilling this lunar essence, Hecate is creating a substance that will produce artificial sprites or illusions. These illusions are the apparitions Macbeth sees in Act 4, such as the Armed Head and the Bloody Child. The significance of using a lunar substance lies in its power to distort reality. Hecate isn’t planning to kill Macbeth with a physical weapon; she is planning to kill him with his own perceptions. The vaporous nature of the magic reflects how Macbeth’s future has become a mist, it looks solid and promising, but it has no substance. This magical distillation is the catalyst for the confusion she wants to cause. It symbolizes the shift from the ‘dagger of the mind’ that Macbeth saw earlier, which was a product of his own guilt to a deliberate, external deception manufactured by Hecate. The magic trickery ensures that the prophecies Macbeth hears are technically true but functionally false, leading him to interpret them in a way that fuels his overconfidence and guarantees his defeat at the hands of Macduff and Malcolm.
Q5. Why does this scene conclude with Hecate being called away by a little spirit in a cloud?
Ans. The scene ends with Hecate noticing her little spirit or familiar waiting for her in a foggy cloud, signaling that her time in the mortal realm is limited. This conclusion serves several dramatic and practical purposes. First, it emphasizes the spectacle of the scene. During the Elizabethan era, this would likely have involved a stage machine that lifted the actress playing Hecate into the rafters, providing a visual display of her supernatural power. Second, it reinforces the theme of the supernatural being irresponsible and unpredictable. Hecate is not a servant who waits on Macbeth; she has her own great business to attend to in the air. This heightens the tension for the audience, as they realize that the forces Macbeth is dealing with are far beyond his control and operate on a timeline that humans cannot understand. The foggy cloud also maintains the play’s motif of fog and filthy air, suggesting that the truth is being hidden and the environment is becoming increasingly blurred. As Hecate exits, the First Witch tells the others to make haste, which creates a sense of urgency. The departure of the goddess suggests that the trap is now set and the gears of Macbeth’s destruction are in motion. It leaves the audience in a state of suspense, waiting to see how the artificial sprites Hecate mentioned will finally confront the wayward King in the upcoming scene.