Welcome to our blog post ISC Macbeth Workbook Answers : Act 3, Scene 4 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 4, 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 4. Let’s embark on an adventure where Shakespeare’s words transcend time, captivating minds across generations.
Table of Contents
Workbook Summary :
This is the famous Banquet Scene taking place in the huge banquet hall in honour of Macbeth’s coronation as King. All the nobles of the realm, except for Banquo and Fleance, are assembled and seated according to their ranks. Macbeth and Lady Macbeth play the perfect hosts and just as Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are welcoming their guests, the First Murderer appears at the entrance of the hall.
To his great dismay and disappointment, Macbeth is informed that though Banquo’s throat has been cut, Fleance has made good his escape under the cover of darkness. Macbeth is once again, a deeply worried man especially remembering the witches’ predictions regarding Banquo’s progeny. Macbeth at once realizes the consequences of Fleance’s escape- had Fleance also been killed, he would have felt perfectly secure in his position as king.
Feeling stifled and strangled inside, he puts on a show and returns to join his guests at the table expressing a hypocritical wish that if only Banquo too was here, when lo and behold! Banquo’s ghost enters the hall and goes and sits in Macbeth’s place. Macbeth is taken aback, he is horrified at the sight of Banquo’s ghost shaking his ‘gory locks’ at him and he goes into a frenzy, nearly giving himself away by loudly proclaiming that he had not killed Banquo! The guests are surprised to see Macbeth addressing a vacant chair as only Macbeth can see the ghost.
Lady Macbeth rises to the occasion and taking charge of the situation, assures the guests that it is just one of his fits which last for a few minutes and requests them to ignore him in this condition or it will make him worse. She speaks with Macbeth, chides and encourages him in turns to return to his normal self. Macbeth calms down and the ghost disappears Macbeth regains his composure expressing surprise that a dead man has come to life to cause him embarrassment. He apologises to his guests and even sends for wine to drink to everyone’s health including that of Banquo’s! The lords pledge their loyalty to Macbeth.
Macbeth once again makes a wish that Banquo should have been present when his hypocritical wish is fulfilled and the ghost of Banquo reappears throwing Macbeth into wild agitation again. In his agitation, he even challenges the ghost and bids it to disappear and much to his relief, it does. Lady Macbeth once again comes to his rescue as she feels he has nearly betrayed his secret and before the situation gets worse, she bids a hasty farewell to the guests.
Macbeth tells his wife that Banquo’s ghost had appeared to seek revenge. He voices his inhibitions regarding Macduff who did not attend the banquet which makes him suspicious of him. He expresses his wish to go meet the Weird Sisters in order to find out what his future holds for him for now as he says, I am in blood stepped in so far, that he cannot retrace his steps.
Lady Macbeth, herself in a state of mental collapse, and an anxious Macbeth prepare for their downfall and doom.
Workbook MCQs :
1. The scene opens with
a. the Coronation of Macbeth
b. the Banquet attended by the Lords
c. the assembly of the Lords in the Council
d. the appearance of the murderers
Answer :- c. the assembly of the Lords in the Council
2. How does Macbeth address the Lords when he begins the Banquet?
a. To know their social ranks and sit accordingly
b. To express their concern over King Duncan’s murder
c. To go and find Banquo and his son
d. To enjoy the feast
Answer :- a. To know their social ranks and sit accordingly
3. What does Macbeth to do along with Lady Macbeth at the Banquet?
a. mingle with society and play the humble host
b. not be warm and friendly
c. welcome the guests with a cold demeanour
d. justify to the guests as to why they killed King Duncan
Answer :- a. mingle with society and play the humble host
4. How would Lady Macbeth keep her state?
a. welcome the guests
b. leave the Banquet
c. mingle with the guests
d. give orders for the dinner to be served
Answer :- a. welcome the guests
5. What happens soon after the welcome address?
a. The First Murderer appeared at the door
b. The Second Murderer appeared at the door
c. Fleance entered
d. The Ghost of Banquo appeared
Answer :- a. The First Murderer appeared at the door
6. What does Macbeth, on seeing the Murderer tell him?
a. he has got the news that Fleance has escaped
b. There’s blood upon thy face.
c. he is anxious of the outcome of the mission
d. he is not happy to see him.
Answer :- b. There’s blood upon thy face.
7. What news does the Murderer give Macbeth?
a. Banquo’s head is cut off
b. Banquo’s throat is cut off
c. Banquo has escaped
d. Banquo killed the Second Murderer
Answer :- b. Banquo’s throat is cut off
8. What is the explanation of the lines: “Tis better thee without, Than he is within is that”
1. It’s better that the blood of Banquo is on your face than in his body
2. It is better that you should be outside than he should be inside
3. It is better that you came without Banquo than with him
4. It is better that Banquo went out for a ride than stayed in the palace
a. 1 and 4
b. 1 and 2
c. 2 and 4
d. 2 and 3
Answer :- b. 1 and 2
9. What compliment does Macbeth pay to the Murderer?
a. He is very strong
b. He is matchless
c. He is faithful in his duties
d. He is best o’ th’ cut throats
Answer :- d. He is best o’ th’ cut throats
10. When does Macbeth suffer from his fit of anxiety?
a. Banquo has escaped
b. Fleance has escaped
c. Fleance killed the Second Murderer
d. Fleance is likely to be declared King
Answer :- b. Fleance has escaped
11. Macbeth: “Then comes my fit again; I had else been perfect”
How had Macbeth been formerly?
a. whole as a marble
b. cribb’d
c. cabin’d
d. confin’d
Answer :- a. whole as a marble
12. “But now, I am cabin’d, cribb’d, confin’d, bound in What is the literary device used in the words above?
a. Personification
b. Metaphor
c. Alliteratio
d. Irony
Answer :- a. Personification
13. What kind of feelings preoccupy Macbeth’s mind at this juncture?
a. doubts and fears
b. happiness
c. anger
d. Joy
Answer :- b. happiness
14. What does the Murderer report about Banquo to Macbeth?
a. That Banquo lies in a ditch with forty gashes on his head
b. That Banquo lies in a ditch with twenty gashes on his head
c. That Banquo lies in the park with his head cut off
d. That Banquo lies in the ditch half dead
Answer :- For Full Answers Get The Workbook Answers PDF – View
15. What does Macbeth refer to Fleance as?
a. worm that’s fled
b. full grown serpant
c. venomous snake ready to sting
d. a harmless snake that lies in the ditch
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16. What does Macbeth tell the Murderer?
a. He will never speak to him again
b. He will speak to him the next day
c. He will speak to him after the Banquet
d. He will speak to him after sometime
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17. Why does Lady Macbeth tell Macbeth that it is important to welcome the guests?
a. It makes the meal worthwhile
b. It makes the guests more comfortable
c. The guests will pray for their good health
d. The guests will feel honoured to be present at the Banquet
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18. How does Macbeth regard Banquo’s absence in the Banquet as?
a. sheer negligence
b. disrespect
c. tardiness
d. accident
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19. Why can Macbeth not find a seat to sit on?
a. because he sees Banquo’s ghost seated on his chair
b. because the guests have occupied all the seats
c. because Lennox has occupid his chair
d. a servant has removed his chair
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20. How does he address the ghost?
a. not to point it’s finger at him
b. not to sneer at him
c. not to shake his gory locks at him
d. not to scare him
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21. What does Lady Macbeth justify to the guests about her husband’s abnormal behaviour?
a. He suffers from this fit since his youth
b. He suffers from amnesia
c. He fears company
d. He suffers from hallucinations
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22. Why does Lady Macbeth asks the guests not to pay any attention to Macbeth?
a. It will anger him
b. It will alarm him and prolong the fit
c. It will embarrass him
d. It will make him attack them
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23. What does Macbeth shout out to the ghost which exposes his guilt?
a. it’s bones are without marrow and it’s blood is cold
b. it is foul smelling
c. it has a mocking appearance
d. it keeps changing it’s shape
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24. Why does Lady Macbeth call off the Banquet?
a. She fears their guilt of murder will be exposed
b. She fears the guests may attack Macbeth
c. She fears that Macbeth may attack the guests
d. She wants to avoid the guests from revelling any further
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25. Which theme is this scene an example of?
a. Order and disorder
b. Blood
c. Violence
d. Ambition
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26. Who does Macbeth decide to visit at the end of the scene?
a. The grave of Duncan
b. The three weird sisters
c. The place Banquo was murdered
d. The King of England
Answer :- For Full Answers Get The Workbook Answers PDF – View
Contextual Questions :
(I) Macbeth is displeased with the report of the Murderer because they have not been able to kill Fleance.
(II) Lady Macbeth reminds Macbeth to heartily welcome the guests because if they are welcomed cordially they will feel comfortable.
(III) Ross asks the guests to leave the Banquet because Macbeth seems to be sick.
(IV) Lady Macbeth requests the guests to ignore Macbeth’s peculiar behaviour because he suffers from this fit which will pass away is a moment.
(V) Lady Macbeth admonishes Macbeth for his strange behaviour because he is quite unnerved by his imaginary fears.
(VI) According to Macbeth the murder of Banquo is strange when compared to murders committed in the past because though dead Banquo is still before his eyes moving about before him.
(VII) Macbeth on seeing the ghost of Banquo for the second time cries out “Avaunt! and quit my sight because he is completely mad with fear and doubt.
(VIII) Lady Macbeth requests the guests to leave at once because Answer :- For Full Answers Get The Workbook Answers PDF – View
(IX) Macbeth is confident that his deed will lead to further bloodshed because Answer :- For Full Answers Get The Workbook Answers PDF – View
(X) Macbeth decides to go to visit the weird sisters early in the morning because Answer :- For Full Answers Get The Workbook Answers PDF – View
(XI) It is evident that Macbeth has become a hardened criminal because Answer :- For Full Answers Get The Workbook Answers PDF – View
(XII) Macbeth and Lady Macbeth seem to have drifted apart from this scene because Answer :- For Full Answers Get The Workbook Answers PDF – View
(XIII) It seems as if Macbeth is troubled by his conscience because Answer :- For Full Answers Get The Workbook Answers PDF – View
Question Answers :
(i) Provide two details from the scene which show that Macbeth has become a hardened criminal and has entered into a career of crimes. Write your answer in a short paragraph of about 100-150 words.
Answer :- There is no doubt that Macbeth has become a hardened criminal. He does not mind meeting the murderers even when he is in the council. Seeing the blood stained
face of the murderer, he remarks that “Its better thee without than he within.” meaning thereby that it is better, the blood of Banquo is on his face. Secondly, he suspects that Macduff is disloyal to him because the latter has not attended his coronation. He sets spies on his house. He says, “For mine own good/ All causes shall give way.” Wherever he suspects some disobedience, he plans fresh murders. He says to himself, “I am in blood/ stepped in so far that should I wade no more;/ Returning were as tedius as go o’er”.
It seems that he has stifled the voice of his conscience.
(II) What are Lady Macbeth’s reasons to justify for Macbeth’s peculiar behaviour at the Banquet? How far is she able to convince the guests? Write your answer in a short paragraph of 100-150 words.
Answer :- For Full Answers Get The Workbook Answers PDF – View
(III) (a) Write with any two supporting details that Macbeth’s mind is heat oppressed with all the heinous crimes he has committed. Write your answer in about 200-250 words.
Answer :-Macbeth’s heat-oppressed mind vividly reflects the psychological torment caused by his crimes through two haunting hallucinations:
The Bloody Dagger (Act 2, Scene 1):
Before murdering Duncan, Macbeth sees a floating dagger with its “handle toward [his] hand”, urging him toward the crime.The “gouts of blood” on its tip mirror his guilty conscience, proving he is not a natural killer but a man tormented by his own ambition.His famous line—”Is this a dagger which I see before me?”—shows his mind already fracturing under moral conflict.
Banquo’s Ghost (Act 3, Scene 4):During the banquet, Macbeth alone sees Banquo’s ghost sitting in his chair, “shaking [its] gory locks” at him. His hysterical reaction (“Thou canst not say I did it!”) exposes his crumbling sanity and subconscious guilt. The ghost symbolizes how his crimes haunt him relentlessly—he cannot escape the consequences of murdering his once-loyal friend.
These visions prove Macbeth’s “heat-oppressed” brain is consumed by guilt and paranoia. Though he gains power, his mind becomes a hell of hallucinations, showing that evil deeds punish the doer first.
(b) Give a vivid account of the Banquet scene. In what way is this scene a turning point in Macbeth’s fortunes? Write your answer in 200-250 words.
Answer :- For Full Answers Get The Workbook Answers PDF – View
Essay Question :
Q.1 Describe the Banquet scene in brief.
Answer : A Banquet is thrown in honour of Macbeth’s coronation. It is attended by all the nobles of the realm and they are all seated according to their ranks. Lady Macbeth appears for the first time in the play as a ‘Queen’ and is seated in her royal seat. As the Banquet proceeds the murderers appear at the door and Macbeth discreetly meets and speaks to them. For Full Answers Get The Workbook Answers PDF – View
Q.2. Comment on the dramatic significance of the Banquet Scene.
Answer :- The Banquet scene is dramatically appropriate and psychologically suggestive, as it reveals the inner mind of Macbeth and his evil intentions. Shakespeare introduces the ghost of Banquo with a definite artistic purpose and in this way illustrate the real thought and ideas of Macbeth. The very fact that only Macbeth sees the ghost it clearly shows that Macbeth is troubled by the pricking of his conscience which has conjured up before his eyes the ghost of Banquo who had been murdered under the instructions of Macbeth. The last voice of his conscience dies within him and he morally collapses into the hands of evil. The contrast in the attitude of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth is seen. Macbeth is seen to be a driven to a frenzy, whereas Lady Macbeth is composed and though is not aware of what crime Macbeth has further indulged in, she appears to very calm and collected. She rises to the occasion and keeps up a pretended appearance as if nothing serious has happened as it’s just one of those occasional fits Macbeth suffers from time to time. But her pretence does not last long as she breaks down completely. The Banquet is one on which the doom of both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth is very imminent.
