Comprehension Questions ACT ONE
Act One Scene 1
L. Oescribe the opening scene in terms of atmospheric
elements established,
2. What is the significance of their chant 'fair is foul, and
foul
is
fair'?
Act One $cene 2
1,
Why does King Duncan reward Macbeth?
2. For what reason is the existing Thane of Cawdor to be
executed?
3. What do
the others think of Macbeth?
Act One $cene 3
1. What strange predictions do the three witches make
about Macbeth and Banquo?
2. How do we know that the witches r€present
evil?
is Macbeth so confused and upset regarding the
predictions?
3, Why
Ellen Terry as Lady Macbeth- lohn singer S.rgent (1889)
4. What warning does Banquo give Macbeth about the
witches prophesies?
Act One Scene 4
L, How does Macbeth react to the King's news that
Malcolm shall be the next king?
Act one Scene 5
1. As Lady Macbeth reads her husband's letters, how does
she react? What does she believe?
2, Comment on Lady Macbeth's dramatic speech 'Unsex
me here...'
3, What have we learned about Lady Macbeth in
comparison with her husband?
Act One Scene 6
1. As King Duncan enters Macbeth's castle, what other side
of Lady Macbeth do we see?
2.
Discuss
the dramatic irony of this scene.
Act one Scene 7
1. How does Lady Macbeth react to her husband's doubts?
2. How should the blame for the murders
be divided up?
3. Why does Macbeth finally agree go ahead with the
crime?