MACBETH:

LESSON TWELVE

‘O, full of scorpions is

my mind’.
 THE BIG QUESTION

How has Macbeth’s state of mind

developed from the beginning of the
play to this point?
 READ ACT THREE, SCENE TWO
In this scene, you will meet…

Macbeth and Lady Macbeth discuss the danger Banquo presents,

and Macbeth darkly hints at the plot he has set in motion.
 READ ACT THREE, SCENE TWO

Comprehension Questions

1. How is Macbeth feeling at the beginning of this scene?

2. What do you think Macbeth means when he says, ‘we have scotch’d the snake, not
killed it.’
3. What does Macbeth say about Duncan in his grave?
4. How does Lady Macbeth ask her husband to act around his guests?
5. Why do you think Macbeth says to Lady Macbeth that she should give Banquo her
special attention by making him feel important?
6. Why does Macbeth ask for darkness again at the end of the scene?

Summarise Act Three, Scene Two in no more than three sentences.

YOUR TASK: ‘O, FULL OF SCORPIONS IS MY MIND’
Complete the following quotation drill. Be prepared to share your ideas.

Using your
completed
quotation drill,
summarise
verbally to your
partner what you
think is happening
to Macbeth’s state
of mind.
 REVISITING THE BIG QUESTION

How has Macbeth’s state of mind

developed from the beginning of the
play to this point?
RESOURCES
 ‘O, full of scorpions is my mind’ (3.2)
What is happening at this point in the play? Define the term ‘metaphor’. Highlight the metaphor. Identify the term ‘monosyllabic’.

‘O, full of scorpions is my

mind’

Complete single word analysis on Highlight the nouns. Define the term ‘noun’. Highlight the monosyllable.
‘scorpions’.
‘O, full of scorpions is my ‘O, full of scorpions is my
mind’ mind’

What is Macbeth saying about his mind in Why does Shakespeare include the What is Shakespeare saying about guilt in this quotation? What message is he trying to
this quotation? monosyllable? What does it tell us about convey to his audience?
Macbeth?

Is this quotation an admission that Macbeth Why does Shakespeare use dark, natural How can you connect this quotation to other areas of the text?
has committed terrible deeds? imagery in this quotation to convey
Macbeth’s state of mind?