Welcome to our blog post ISC Macbeth Workbook Answers : Act 3, Scene 1 of William Shakespeare’s timeless masterpiece, “Macbeth.” As dedicated learners and educators, we recognize the importance of unraveling the nuances of Shakespearean literature, which is why we’ve curated this comprehensive guide specifically tailored to the ISC curriculum.
Within this blog, we’ll explore Act 3, Scene 1, utilizing the meticulously crafted workbook provided by Morning Star publishers. Our objective is to not only present multiple-choice questions (MCQs) and detailed answers but also to foster a deeper comprehension of the play’s themes, characters, and linguistic complexities.
While our responses are structured based on the workbook, we encourage students to use this resource as a springboard for their own exploration. Shakespeare’s works offer rich layers of interpretation, inviting individual analysis. Therefore, feel empowered to adapt and personalize our insights to suit your unique learning style and needs.
Whether you’re striving for academic excellence or simply eager to unravel the depths of “Macbeth,” join us on this enlightening journey through Act 3, Scene 1. Let’s embark on an adventure where Shakespeare’s words transcend time, captivating minds across generations.
Table of Contents
Workbook Summary :
Macbeth, the newly anointed king of Scotland, now resides in the castle at Forres, along with his noblemen. In his soliloquy, we find one of his noblemen, Banquo, in a reflective and suspicious mood as he is turning over what the witches had prophesized regarding Macbeth who has got all that was predicted. This makes him wonder whether the prophecies will also come true in his case and whether his descendants will be a line of kings.
King Macbeth and Queen Macbeth invite Banquo to the grand Banquet to be held that evening in honour of his coronation. Banquo, unaware of Macbeth’s murderous intentions towards him and his son, Fleance, trustingly accepts the invitation. Macbeth, through a series of clever questions which he asks in a very casual manner, cunningly elicits information from Banquo about his and especially his son. Fleance’s whereabouts regarding that day.
Having got all the information he wanted, Macbeth, in a soliloquy, vents out his fears regarding Banquo. He is more than aware of all the good qualities in Banquo which he feels he lacks. He feels insecure as king as he remembers the prophecy of the witches regarding Banquo and his sons being kings of Scotland in the future. He says that if the throne of Scotland is to pass down to Banquo’s descendants, then all that he has done to attain the throne will be in vain and that he has unnecessarily sold his soul to the devil. He also fears that Banquo, most likely is aware of his hand in Duncan’s murder. Considering all the above, the now cold and calculating Macbeth finally decides to defy fate and prevent those of Banquo’s lineage from becoming the future kings to make sure that he is safely established on his throne.
Macbeth’s soliloquy is interrupted by the entry of the two men who are the murderers he will hire to kill Banquo and his son. With his wily (say why-le) tongue, he inflames their passions against Banquo to such an extent that the first Murderer is ready to go ahead with Macbeth’s plans even at the cost of their lives. Macbeth, satisfied with their high spiritedness, tells them that he will inform them of the exact time when they are to murder Banquo and his son. Thus, Banquo and his son will be discreetly killed to ensure that his sons and not Banquo’s become the future kings.
Workbook MCQs :
1. Thou hast it now, king, Cawdor, Glamis, all…. Who is Banquo referring to?
a. Macbeth
b. Banquo himself
c. His son, Fleance
d. Macduff
Answer :- b. Banquo himself
2. What is the hope that Banquo harbours within himself?
a. to become King himself
b. his sons should become Kings
c. to subjugate Macbeth and not allow him to become King
d. to have a secret meeting with the witches at the heath.
Answer :- b. his sons should become Kings
3. Banquo’s soliloquy tells us that:
a. He too can kill to get the throne.
b. He too has been influenced to some extent by the weird sisters’ prophecies.
c. He has not at all been influenced by the weird sisters’ prophecies.
d. He has no ambition to see his son and his descendants as future kings.
Answer :- b. He too has been influenced to some extent by the weird sisters’ prophecies.
4. Who is the chief guest of the Banquet?
a. Macduff
b. Banquo
c. Ross
d. Lennox
Answer :- b. Banquo
5. Which one of the following character traits describe Macbeth’s character while he is trying to elicit information from Banquo?
a. conniving and cunning
b. rude and mean.
c. authoritative and pompou
d. humorous
Answer :- a. conniving and cunning
6. What according to Macbeth would Banquo have done if he had not ridden that afternoon?
a. sought his company in a game of cards
b. sought his advice at the meeting of the Council on that day
c. sought his help in addressing the Council on that day
d. sought his suggestions as to who should be given important posts
Answer :- b. sought his advice at the meeting of the Council on that day
7. What does Macbeth inform Banquo about his bloody cousins, Malcolm and Donalbain?
a. They have taken refuge in England and Ireland
b. They have joined hands with the King of Norway
c. They have taken refuge in Wales
d. They have decided to enter into an agreement with the Lords of Scotland against Macbeth
Answer :- a. They have taken refuge in England and Ireland
8. In order to confirm that Banquo and his son, Fleance are going together for a ride, Macbeth elicits information from Banquo by asking which two of the following questions?
1 Ride you this afternoon?
2. Have you considered of my speeches?
3. Goes Fleance with you?
4. Will you be available to give good advice in this day’s Council?
a. 1 and 4
b. 1 and 3
c. 2 and 4
d. 1 and 2
Answer :- b. 1 and 3
9. What does Macbeth fear about Banquo?
a. his kingly nature
b. bad temper
c. conniving nature
d. his deceitful nature
Answer :- a. his kingly nature
10. ‘Goes Fleance with you?’
How important is Fleance’s accompanying Banquo?
a. Not important.
b. Very important as both Banquo and his son are invited to the Banquet.
c. Very important as Macbeth has planned that Fleance must be killed along with Banquo.
d. Important as Fleance must look after Banquo, his father.
Answer :- c. Very important as Macbeth has planned that Fleance must be killed along with Banquo.
11. What aspect of Macbeth’s character is revealed by his asking about Fleance?
a. Macbeth’s cunning to elicit information.
b. Macbeth’s concern for Fleance.
c. His deep concern for Banquo.
d. His protective nature towards father and son.
Answer :- a. Macbeth’s cunning to elicit information.
12. Why are Macbeth’s fears regarding Banquo so deep-rooted?
a. Banquo possesses such royal dignity, great courage and wisdom.
b. He inspires awe and is greatly loved by everyone.
c. He hates Macbeth.
d. He knows all of Macbeth’s secrets.
Answer :- a. Banquo possesses such royal dignity, great courage and wisdom.
13. Which poetic device is the phrase ‘My Genius is rebuked.”?
a. Simile
b. Personification
c. Anaphora
d. metaphor
Answer :- b. Personification
14. ‘Upon my head they placed a fruitless crown,’
Why does Macbeth consider the crown to be fruitless?
a. The crown is of no use to Macbeth.
b. Because he has uselessly murdered his king.
c. Macbeth’s children will never inherit his throne.
d. He is not successful in bringing back Malcolm and Donalbain.
Answer :- c. Macbeth’s children will never inherit his throne.
15. What does the line. Put rancours in the vessel of my peace’ mean?
a. Placed snakes in my vessel.
b. Poisoned the vessel of my peace.
c. Disturbed my peace of mind.
d. Put conflicting thoughts in my mind.
Answer :- b. Poisoned the vessel of my peace.
16. Macbeth regrets that he has sold his immortal soul to the devil to:
a. make the descendants of Banquo kings
b. make Banquo King
c. deprive his descendants of kingship
d. to lose the kingship to Banquo
Answer :- a. make the descendants of Banquo kings
17. Who does Macbeth hire murderers to kill?
a. Banquo
b. Banquo and Fleance
c. Macduff
d. Ross and Lennox
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18. Who is referred to as ‘the seed of Banquo’s kings’?
a. Banquo’s sons and his descendants.
b. Banquo’s parents.
c. Banquo’s grandparents.
d. His ancestors.
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19. What had Macbeth made known to the two Murderers at an earlier meeting with them?
a. That it was he, Macbeth, who is responsible for their misfortunes.
b. That it was Banquo, and not Macbeth who is responsible for their misfortunes.
c. That Macbeth does not like murderers.
d. That the two murderers would no longer be allowed to kill his people.
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20. Which two points are the topics of discussion at the second meeting?
1. Patience
2. Anger
3. Ambition
4. Religious minded
a. 1 and
b. 2 and 3
c. 1 and 4
d. 3 and 4
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21. Why does Macbeth compare the murderers to species of high bred dogs?
a. to show them their worth and segregate them from the masses
b. to show them their strength
c. make them realise that they are no better than dogs
d. to fill them with courage to kill Banquo
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22. Which aspect of Macbeth’s character is revealed in his interaction with the two murderers?
a. Macbeth is cunning and conniving as he tries to instigate the two Murderers against Banquo
b. He is concerned about the misfortunes of the two Murderers.
c. He is least concerned about their misfortunes.
d. he is filled with the milk of human kindness.
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23. Macbeth reasons with the murderers about not killing Banquo himself as
a. it may antagonise the common friends they share
b. he bears too much love for Banquo and it would break his heart to do so
c. he fears Banquo may over power him and kill him instead
d. he does not want to dirty his hands with Banquo’s blood
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24. What kind of words does Macbeth use in order to incite the murderers against Banquo?
a. encouraging words
b. provocative words
c. enticing words
d. Intriguing words
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25. What is Macbeth’s intention in speaking against Banquo to the two Murderers?
a. To tempt them with a better life.
b. brainwash them that Banquo has been their oppressor and instigate them against him.
c. Try to convince them that he, Macbeth, cannot be blamed for their misfortunes.
d. To let them know what a bad man Banquo really is.
Answer :- For Full Answers Get The Workbook Answers PDF – View
26. How long will Macbeth take to instruct the murderers ?
a. A day or two
b. an hour
c. a few minutes
d. the next few days
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27. Where does Macbeth want Banquo to be killed?
a. in the castle
b. In the Banquet
c. at some distance from the castle
d. In front of the castle
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28. Which of the following character traits tell us why Macbeth has murdered Duncan and now plans to kill Banquo?
a. His vaulting ambition.
b. His ambition
c. Revenge
d. Hatred
Answer :- For Full Answers Get The Workbook Answers PDF – View
29. What has Macbeth embarked upon?
a. a career of crimes
b. a sedentary life of kingship
c. a path of renunciation
d. the path of goodness.
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30. Why does Macbeth equate the murderers to “hounds”?
a. Finds them to be bloodthirsty.
b. Finds them to be ravenous.
c. Finds them to be wild.
d. Finds them to have a distinctive trait of their own.
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31. The murderers are so disgusted with the hardships of life that they are ready to
a. take any risk in order to reek their revenge upon the world
b. take any risk to secure a position in Macbeth’s realm
c. take any risk to take the blame of Killing Banquo and Fleance
d. take the risk of exposing themselves to be hired murderers
Answer :- For Full Answers Get The Workbook Answers PDF – View
32. What according to Macbeth, is ‘concluded”?
a. That Banquo will be murdered that night.
b. That Banquo will be killed and his soul will go to heaven that night itself.
c. Banquo will attend the Banquet that night.
d. Banquo will no longer be able to live.
Answer :- For Full Answers Get The Workbook Answers PDF – View
Contextual Questions :
(I) Banquo is wondering about the prophecy of the witches because in the case of Macbeth they are literally fulfilled.
(II) Macbeth decides to kill Banquo and Fleance because he does not want the crown to pass down to Banquo’s descendants.
(III) Banquo decides to be silent about the prophecy of the witches to come true in his case because he feels if they have come true in the case of Macbeth they will prove true in his case also.
(IV) Macbeth asks Banquo the question “Ride you this afternoon?” because he wants to keep an eye on his whereabouts to get a chance to have him killed.
(V) Macbeth hires two murderers because he does not want that suspicion should fall on him if Banquo is murdered.
(VI) Macbeth’s fears regarding Banquo are deep rooted because Answer :- For Full Answers Get The Workbook Answers PDF – View
(VII) Macbeth feels dejected by the prophecy of the witches because Answer :- For Full Answers Get The Workbook Answers PDF – View
(VIII) Macbeth regrets murdering King Duncan because Answer :- For Full Answers Get The Workbook Answers PDF – View
(IX) The murderers utter the words we are men” because Answer :- For Full Answers Get The Workbook Answers PDF – View
(X) Macbeth expresses his inability to kill Banquo on his own because Answer :- For Full Answers Get The Workbook Answers PDF – View
Question Answers :
(I) “Macbeth is unhappy in his happiness.” Explain with special reference to the heinous crime that Macbeth has just committed. Write your answer in a short paragraph of about 100-150 words.
Answer :- (i) Macbeth, the newly anointed King of Scotland is unhappy and restless. He is fearful regarding Banquo. He is aware of his good qualities which he (Macbeth) lacks. He feels insecure as king because he remembers the prophecy of witches regarding Banquo and his sons being kings of Scotland. He is sad to think that if the crown is to pass down to Banquo’s descendants then all that he has done to attain the throne will be in vain. He is unhappy to think that he has unnecessarily sold his soul to the devil. He also fears that Banquo most likely knows that he has a hand in the murder of King Duncan.
(II) At the beginning of the Act 3 scene I what aspect of Banquo’s character is revealed in his soliloquy regarding the prophecy of the witches? Write your answer in a short paragraph of about 100-150 words.
Answer :- For Full Answers Get The Workbook Answers PDF – View
(III) (a) How does Macbeth convince the murderers to kill Banquo? Is he successful in his attempt? Write your answer in a paragraph of 200-250 words.
Answer :- Macbeth manipulates the murderers with cunning rhetoric, twisting their grievances to serve his own purpose. He reminds them that Banquo is their common enemy, claiming Banquo had oppressed them in the past and crushed their hopes, leaving them as beggars. He suggests that their suffering will continue as long as Banquo lives, subtly implying that eliminating him is the only path to freedom. Macbeth questions their patience, asking “Are you so gospell’d / To pray for this good man and for his issue?”—mocking their willingness to endure injustice. By flattering their sense of injustice and inflaming their resentment, he convinces them that murder is justified.
Macbeth is successful in his attempt—the murderers agree to kill Banquo, showing how effectively he exploits their anger and desperation. However, this success is hollow, as Fleance escapes, ensuring Banquo’s line survives to fulfill the witches’ prophecy. Macbeth’s paranoia and tyranny only deepen, proving that violence begets more violence.
(b) Analyse the attitude of the two murderers. Write your answer in a paragraph of 200-250 words.
Answer :- For Full Answers Get The Workbook Answers PDF – View
Essay Question :
Q. Describe the plot against Banquo and Fleance.
Answer :- Macbeth appoints two murderers in order to kill Banquo and Fleance. He calls them in to a private conversation after ascertaining from Banquo all about his movements till that evening when they are to join the Banquet in honour of Macbeth’s coronation ceremony. Macbeth refers to his previous conversation with them and tells them that they are mistaken in what opinion they have about Banquo. For Full Answers Get The Workbook Answers PDF – View
Q.2. State clearly the reasons why Macbeth seeks the death of Banquo and his Fleance.
Answer :- Macbeth forms the plan of murdering Banquo and his son Fleance and executes it with the consummate skill of an intriguer. He realises fully well that as long as Banquo is alive his position on the throne is not safe. He feels intimidated by Banquo’s superiority and over- towering personality, but what mainly goads Macbeth to murder Banquo is the prophecy of the witches who had predicted that Banquo’s sons would be kings. Macbeth not only fears Banquo but also his son Fleance who is now a threat to his position. Taking into consideration that Banquo has a good many partisans, he refrains from murdering Banquo on his own So he makes a plan to hire murderers to kill Banquo and Fleance and in this way he can get them out of his way. Macbeth has no qualms in committing one murder after the other, as he has become devoid of conscience, and now does not feel the need to consult his wife any longer, as he has gone far ahead in his career of crimes and there is no turning back for him. He has become a first class intriguer and an unscrupulous criminal ready to commit crimes.
