Get summary, workbook solutions, questions, answers, notes, pdf, and extras to the drama/play “Macbeth” Act 3 Scene 6 by William Shakespeare, which is a part of Class 12 English syllabus for students studying under ISC.
Summary
Lennox and another Lord are discussing recent events in Scotland. Lennox speaks in a cautious, ironic manner, hinting that strange things have been happening surrounding King Duncan’s death. He notes that Macbeth pitied Duncan, yet Duncan ended up dead. Banquo was killed by Fleance, who then fled, implying Banquo walked too late at night. Lennox sarcastically remarks how monstrous it was for Malcolm and Donalbain to kill their gracious father, Duncan. He pretends to be outraged at how they denied their guilt, portraying Macbeth as nobly angered.
Lennox continues his irony, saying Macbeth admirably imprisoned Duncan’s sons to avenge their father’s murder, wishing the same fate upon Fleance. The other Lord ignores Lennox’s mocking tone, responding seriously that Malcolm and Donalbain have fled to England under King Edward’s protection. The Lord shares that Macduff has gone to England as well to convince Edward, Northumberland, and Siward to provide troops to overthrow Macbeth.
The Lord reveals that England is preparing for war against Macbeth. When Lennox asks if Macbeth summoned Macduff, the Lord replies that Macduff defiantly refused. Lennox advises caution to avoid Macbeth’s wrath. He hopes angels will speed Macduff to England so Edward can send aid swiftly to save Scotland from Macbeth’s cursed rule. The Lord agrees, saying he will pray for Macduff’s mission to succeed. The lengthy conversation establishes Lennox and the Lord as pragmatic realists aware of Macbeth’s terrible deeds. It foreshadows Macbeth’s downfall at the hands of those assembling forces in England. The scene builds dramatic tension without advancing the plot.
Workbook answers
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. Lennox is speaking to
a. Ross b. a nobleman c. himself d. Macduff
Answer: b. a nobleman
2. Lennox voiced the sentiments of the Scottish people in a
a. guarded manner b. rude manner c. caustic manner d. indifferent manner
Answer: a. guarded manner
3. The murder of King Duncan was
a. a monstrous act b. a sacrilegious murder c. an obligation d. a parricide
Answer: b. a sacrilegious murder
4. Lennox ended his speech by enquiring about the whereabouts of
a. Macduff’s family b. Malcolm and Donalbain c. Macduff d. the cursed tyrant
Answer: b. Malcolm and Donalbain
5. Malcolm was aided by
a. Northumberland and Siward b. Donalbain c. Ross d. the witches
Answer: a. Northumberland and Siward
Context questions
1. Lennox: My former …….. have but hit their……
Which can interpret further: only I say,
Things have been strangely borne The gracious.
Duncan was pitied of Macbeth: marry he was dead:
And the right valiant Banquo walk’d too late:
Whom you may say, If t please you, Fleance killed,
For Fleance fled:
a. Who is the speaker? Who is he speaking to?
Answer: The speaker is Lennox, and he is speaking to another Lord.
b. What is the speaker trying to say about Duncan and Banquo in his speech? What is he hinting at?
Answer: The speaker, Lennox, is hinting at the suspicious circumstances surrounding the deaths of Duncan and Banquo. He implies that their deaths were not natural but were part of a sinister plot. Lennox suggests that Macbeth pitied Duncan only after his death, hinting at Macbeth’s possible role in Duncan’s murder. Similarly, he hints that Fleance might be blamed for Banquo’s death because Fleance fled, similar to how Malcolm and Donalbain were suspected due to their immediate flight after Duncan’s death.
c. Give the meanings of
i. borne ii. right valiant
Answer: i. “Borne” in this context means carried out or conducted, especially in a mysterious or secretive manner.
ii. “Right valiant” refers to someone who is very courageous or brave.
d. What does ‘My former speeches’ indicate?
Answer: “My former speeches” indicates that Lennox has previously spoken about similar matters or has expressed his thoughts on these issues before. This phrase suggests that he has been consistently observing and commenting on the suspicious events in the kingdom.
e. How can we conclude about the speaker that he is very guarded in his conversation?
Answer: We can conclude that the speaker, Lennox, is very guarded in his conversation because he expresses his suspicions and opinions in an indirect and subtle manner. He uses irony and hints rather than stating his accusations outright, reflecting caution and the need to protect himself in a dangerous political environment.
2. Lord: thither Macduff
Is gone to pray the holy king, upon his aid
To wake Northumberland and war like Siward;
That, by the help of these-with him above
To ratify the work – we may again
Give to our tables…………to our nights,
Free from our feasts and…… bloody knives,
Do faithful homage, and receive free honours;
At which we pine for now
a. Fill in the blanks in the extract.
Answer: Lord: thither Macduff
Is gone to pray the holy king, upon his aid
To wake Northumberland and warlike Siward
That, by the help of these-with Him above
To ratify the work – we may again
Give to our tables meat, sleep to our nights,
Free from our feasts and banquets bloody knives,
Do faithful homage, and receive free honors;
All which we pine for now.
b. Thither has Macduff gone? Why has he gone there?
Answer: Macduff has gone to England to seek the aid of the holy king (King Edward the Confessor) to help overthrow Macbeth. He has gone there to gather support and raise an army for the restoration of peace and rightful rule in Scotland.
c. Name the holy king. What strange powers did the king possess?
Answer: The holy king referred to is King Edward the Confessor. He was believed to possess the strange power of the ‘royal touch’, a healing ability that was said to cure scrofula, known as the King’s Evil.
d. Explain ‘bloody knives’.
Answer: “Bloody knives” is a metaphorical expression used to describe the violent and murderous reign of Macbeth. It symbolises the brutal and bloody actions taken to maintain power, resulting in a reign characterised by tyranny and fear.
e. Was it a wise decision for Macduff to go to that place? Which family member of his criticised him for going there, and why?
Answer: Yes, it was a wise decision for Macduff to go to England, as it was crucial for gathering support against Macbeth’s tyrannical rule. His wife, Lady Macduff, criticised him for leaving, as she felt abandoned and feared for their family’s safety in his absence, especially given the dangerous political climate.
Extra MCQs
1. What does Lennox suggest about Macbeth’s reaction to Duncan’s death?
A. He was indifferent to it B. He grieved deeply and acted nobly C. He was secretly pleased D. He had no knowledge of the event
Answer: B. He grieved deeply and acted nobly
10. What does the Lord imply about the future of their country?
A. It is doomed under Macbeth’s rule B. It will prosper and grow stronger C. It will remain stable but oppressed D. It has hope for liberation and restoration
Answer: D. It has hope for liberation and restoration
Extra Questions and Answers
1. In his conversation with another lord, what does Lennox imply about Macbeth’s role in the deaths of Duncan and Banquo?
Answer: Lennox implies that Macbeth is likely responsible for the deaths of King Duncan and Banquo. He does this through a series of sarcastic remarks, questioning the official accounts of the deaths. Lennox suggests that it is suspiciously convenient that Duncan’s guards, who were blamed for his murder, were killed by Macbeth before they could speak. Similarly, he hints at disbelief in the narrative that Fleance, Banquo’s son, was responsible for his father’s death, a crime for which Macbeth again blamed others. Lennox’s tone and choice of words subtly express his suspicion that Macbeth orchestrated these events to eliminate threats to his power.
4. What are Lennox and the Lord’s hopes for the future of Scotland, and how do they plan to achieve it?
Answer: Lennox and the Lord express hope for a future where Scotland is freed from Macbeth’s tyrannical rule and restored to a just and rightful leadership. They pin their hopes on Malcolm and Macduff, who are gathering forces in England to challenge Macbeth. The conversation indicates their belief that only through external intervention, specifically the military support from England and the rightful claim of Malcolm, can Scotland return to a state of peace and proper governance. Their discussion reflects a sense of urgency and a desire for a coordinated effort to remove Macbeth and end his reign of terror.
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