The Tragedy
of Macbeth
by William Shakespeare
Name ___________________________________
English 12 – Mr. McGuire
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Act I, Scene i
(page 319)
1. What kind of mood is established in this scene?
2. “Man proposes, God disposes” is an example of antithesis from a poem by Alexander
Pope. What are other examples of antithesis in this scene?
Act I, Scene ii
(pages 319-321)
1. What news has the caption brought to King Duncan?
2. What further news is brought by Ross?
3. What is King Duncan’s reaction to the news about Cawdor?
Act I, Scene iii
(pages 321-327)
1. What do the witches discuss as they await Macbeth?
2. How do the witches surprise Macbeth and Banquo?
3. What does Macbeth demand of the witches?
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4. How do Macbeth and Banquo react differently to Ross’ news?
Act I, Scene iv
(pages 327-329)
1. How had King Duncan always felt about Cawdor?
2. What announcement does King Duncan make after he, Macbeth, and Banquo exchange
greetings?
3. How does Macbeth view the Prince of Cumberland?
Act I, Scene v
(pages 329-332)
1. How was Lady Macbeth advised of the witches’ prophecies? What is Lady Macbeth’s
main concern about her husband?
2. On whom does Lady Macbeth call for guidance and strength?
Act I, Scene vi
(pages 332-333)
1. What is ironic about the way King Duncan and Lady Macbeth speak?
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Act I, Scene vii
(pages 333-335)
1. What methods does Lady Macbeth use to push Macbeth into action?
2. What plan has Lady Macbeth formulated for King Duncan’s demise? What does Macbeth
add to this plan?
Act II, Scene i
(pages 338-340)
1. What offer does Macbeth make to Banquo?
2. What feelings does Macbeth reveal in his soliloquy at the end of this scene?
Act II, Scene ii
(pages 340-343)
1. What does Macbeth hear, or imagine he heard, while he was in King Duncan’s chamber?
2. In what ways does Lady Macbeth’s reaction to the murder differ from Macbeth’s?
3. What advice does she give Macbeth?
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4. Macbeth is overwhelmed with guilt. What lines indicate this?
Act II, Scene iii
(pages 343-348)
1. Why might Shakespeare have included the porter and his long speech? In what way is
the porter’s speech ironic?
2. What was Macbeth’s reaction to the discovery made by Macduff?
3. Why do Malcolm and Donalbain leave?
Act II, Scene iv
(pages 348-350)
1. Who is under suspicion for King Duncan’s murder?
2. Who will now be king?
Act III, Scene i
(pages 353-357)
1. Paraphrase Banquo’s first speech in this scene.
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2. What has Macbeth realized about Banquo?
3. How does Macbeth get the murderers on his side? What does Macbeth want the
murders to do?
Act III, Scene ii
(pages 357-359)
1. How does Lady Macbeth try to comfort her husband?
2. Is Macbeth able to accept her advice? Why or why not?
Act III, Scene iii
(pages 359-360)
1. Summarize the events of this scene.
Act III, Scene iv
(pages 360-365)
1. How does Macbeth react to the news that Banquo’s throat has been cut?
2. Why is Macbeth distressed by the escape of Fleance?
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3. What “surprise guest” appears at the feast? What is Macbeth’s reaction to the
apparition?
4. What does Macbeth plan to do as soon as possible?
Act III, Scene v
(pages 365-366)
1. Who is Hecate and why is she angry?
Act III, Scene vi
(pages 366-367)
1. Lennox and other Thanes are now suspicious of Macbeth’s role in the death of King
Duncan, two guards, and Banquo. In this scene, what does Lennox reveal about Macduff?
Act IV, Scene i
(pages 370-376)
1. What are the first three apparitions to appear, and what does each tell Macbeth?
2. What is Macbeth’s reaction to the final apparition?
3. Why is it important that Macbeth learned of Macduff’s plan for revenge right after he
meets the witches?
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Act IV, Scene ii
(pages 376-379)
1. What is Lady Macduff complaining about?
2. On what do Lady Macduff and her son disagree?
3. What is the outcome of this scene?
Act IV, Scene iii
(pages 379-386)
1. Why does Malcolm tell Macduff that when he, Malcolm, becomes king, “black Macbeth/
Will seem as pure as snow ”? How does Macduff convince Malcolm he can be trusted?
2. What information does Ross have for Macduff? What is Macduff’s reaction?
3. What help has the English king offered Malcolm and Macduff?
Act V, Scene i
(pages 389-392)
1. Why has the doctor been called to Dunsinane? What motion does Lady Macbeth make
continuously?
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2. What is the doctor’s evaluation of Lady Macbeth’s problem?
Act V, Scene ii
(pages 392-393)
1. Who are Menteith, Caithness, and Angus?
2. Why is it significant that Macbeth is now referred to as a tyrant? Does he have the
support of those he commands?
Act V, Scene iii
(pages 393-395)
1. What report does the servant bring Macbeth, or try to? Why does Macbeth make light of
the servant’s reports?
Act V, Scene iv
(pages 395-396)
1. Why does Malcolm tell the soldiers to cut boughs from the trees in Birnam Wood?
Act V, Scene v
(pages 396-398)
1. Paraphrase Macbeth’s soliloquy following an announcement about Lady Macbeth
2. What message is delivered to Macbeth? What effect does this have on him?
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Act V, Scene vi and Scene vii
(pages 398-400)
1. What are the attitudes of Siward and Macduff as they prepare to fight?
2. Why is Macbeth unafraid of Young Siward?
Act V, Scene viii
(pages 400-402)
1. What does Macbeth learn about Macduff’s birth?
2. What “prize” does Macduff bring to Malcolm?
3. Who will now be King of Scotland?
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