English III CP – Macbeth Study Guide. Act I Questions Scene i 1. What reasons can you think of as to why Macbeth is first introduced to us through the witches? 2. Explain what you think is meant by the paradoxical: Fair is foul, foul is fair. Scene ii 3. Paraphrase the Captain’s description of the battle and the part played by Macbeth in securing the victory. 4. What impression does the reader gain of Macbeth from this description? 5. The Thane of Cawdor was obviously a traitor. What does Duncan’s comment suggest about Duncan’s former relationship with him? “No more that Thane of Cawdor shall deceive/ Our bosom interest.” 6. Do you think that Macbeth is really brave and noble? Scene iii 7. Carefully read the witches’ discussion of their attempt to take revenge on the sailor’s wife. What does this episode suggest about the extent and the limits of their powers? 8. What might Macbeth mean in a literal sense when he repeats the paradoxical, “So foul and fair a day I have not seen”? 9. How does this quote affect the reader’s perception of him? Macbeth and Banquo are confronted by the witches who predict both Macbeth’s and Banquo’s future. Analyze Banquo’s reaction to the prophesy regarding Macbeth in questions 10-­‐12. 10. What does Banquo suggest about Macbeth’s reaction? 11. What is significant about his use of the words “fear” and “fair” in this context? 12. What does his challenge to the witches suggest about his character? Immediately following the disappearance of the witches, Ross and Angus bring the news that we, as an audience, already know regarding the Thaneship of Cawdor. This situation where the audience knows more than the character is called dramatic irony. 13. How does Banquo react? 14. Macbeth’s reaction takes the form of a metaphor: “Why do you dress me/ In borrowed robes?” Explain the metaphor. The clothes metaphor is used throughout the play. Pay careful attention to how and why it is used whenever you come across it. 15. Why does Banquo warn Macbeth about his reaction to the prophesies? 16. What does this warning suggest about Banquo’s understanding of Macbeth’s character and ambitions? 17. Paraphrase this warning. Macbeth’s response comes in the form of a soliloquy. 18. Paraphrase this soliloquy. 19. What does the soliloquy say about Macbeth’s state of mind? 20. What is Macbeth considering? 21. What decision does Macbeth come to? 22. Explain Banquo’s use of a clothing metaphor. Scene iv 23. How does Duncan’s comment reflect the “fair is foul” theme? Duncan: “There’s no art/ Find the mind’s construction in the face.” 24. What does Duncan say to each of Macbeth and Banquo? 25. How does each respond? 26. How does Macbeth react to the naming of Malcolm as heir to the throne? 27. What does Macbeth mean when he says, “Stars hide your fires;/ Let not light see my black and deep desire:/ The eye wink at the hand; yet let that be/ What the eye fears, when it is done, to see?” Scenes v-­vii Act One, Scenes 5, 6, and 7 introduce Lady Macbeth and explore her relationship with Macbeth. These are very important scenes because our response to the relationship between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth is crucial to our interpretation of the play. 28. What does the tone of Macbeth’s letter suggest about his relationship with her? 29. Explain her assessment of Macbeth and his ambition. 30. How does she see her role? Carefully read her “unsex me” soliloquy. 31. What is she attempting to do? 32. What do these lines suggest about her psychological state? “Come thick night/ And pal; in the dunnest smoke of hell,/ That my keen knife see not the wound it makes,/ Nor heaven peep through the blanket of the dark,/ To cry ‘Hold hold!’” 33. How does Lady Macbeth further develop the “fair is foul” theme in this play? Carefully read Macbeth’s soliloquy in scene vii. 34. What does he mean by: “If it were done when ‘tis done, then ‘twere well/ It were done quickly. If th’ assassination/ Could trammel up the consequence, and catch,/ With his surcease, success; that but this blow/ Might be the be-­all and end-­all-­here,/ But here , upon this bank and shoal of time,/ We’d jump the life to come.” 35. What arguments does he provide against the assassination? 36. What motive does he provide for the murder? Analyze Lady Macbeth’s response to his declaration that he will proceed no further in the business. 37. What tactics does she use to persuade him? 38. What does the tone of her attack upon him suggest about her psychological state? 39. What is it that finally persuades him? 40. How is clothing imagery used in this scene? 41. How is the “fair is foul” theme further developed? Act II Scene i 1. Why is Banquo wandering late at night as the scene begins? 2. How does he react as Macbeth walks in the room? What might this reaction indicate about his state of mind? 3. When Banquo mentions the three witches, what is Macbeth’s response? 4. After Banquo and Fleance and leave, what signal does Macbeth send to his wife? 5. Upon finding alone, Macbeth sees a dagger floating. How does he know that it is not real? 6. Where does the dagger lead him? 7. What changes about the dagger’s appearance as Macbeth follows it? 8. What is the only sound to be heard? 9. What does Macbeth mean when he says, “I go, and it is done. The bell invites me./Hear it not, Duncan, for it is a knell/ That summons thee to heaven or to hell.” Scene ii 10. As this scene begins, Lady Macbeth is alone waiting for Macbeth’s return. What makes her fear that he has been discovered? 11. When Macbeth reenters the room, what is he carrying? What is wrong with this? 12. Lady Macbeth gives a reason why she could not murder Macbeth herself. What is it? 13. What did Macbeth hear from the chamber where Malcolm and Donalbain sleep? 14. Macbeth attempts to say something after hearing this. What is it and why can’t he say it? 15. In detail, recount what Macbeth thinks he heard an unidentified voice crying throughout the house. 16. What order does Lady Macbeth issue to her husband? What is his response? 17. After Lady Macbeth leaves to “do Macbeth’s dirty work”, he hears something. What is it? 18. What does it mean when Macbeth says, “…No, this my hand will rather/ The multitudinous seas incardine,/ Making the green one red.” 19. Lady Macbeth says she is alarmed to have a “heart so white.” Is she right? Scene iii 20. As the porter answers the door, what does he pretend to be? 21. According to the porter, what three things does drink provide? What does it both provoke and unprovoked? 22. Why does Shakespeare provide comic relief at this point in the play? 23. Why have Macduff and Lennox come to Inverness? 24. List the strange happenings of the previous night. What is the significance of these happenings? 25. Who discovers Duncan’s body? What is his reaction? 26. Who tells Malcolm and Donalbain that their father has been murdered? 27. What has Macbeth done to the chamberlains and what is his explanation for this action? 28. Why do Malcolm and Donalbain choose to speak privately on the murder of their father? 29. Why does everyone decide to split up again and meet later? 30. In their solitude, what do Malcolm and Donalbain decide to do? Why? Scene iv 31. The old man and Ross are discussing the strange events of the previous night as this scene begins. What three strange things have they noticed? 32. Next, Macduff reveals the prevalent theory on who killed Duncan and why. What is this theory? 33. Why are some of the characters headed to Fife at the end of this scene? Who isn’t going? Act III Questions Scene i 1. As the act begins, Banquo reveals his thoughts. What does he say about Macbeth’s situation? About his own? 2. Why will Banquo not be present this afternoon? When will he return? Who will accompany him? 3. What does Macbeth say about Malcolm and Donalbain? 4. Why has Macbeth begun to refer to himself as “we” and “us”? 5. Analyze Macbeth’s “To be thus is nothing” soliloquy. a. What is Banquo’s “royalty of nature” which Macbeth fears? b. What is Macbeth saying about Banquo when he compares their relationship to that of Mark Anthony and Caesar? c. Explain why Macbeth is so jealous of the witches’ predictions for Banquo. d. What is the “eternal jewel” to which Macbeth refers? What is the “common enemy of man?” e. Who or what does Macbeth threaten to fight to the death in lines 76-­‐
77? f. What do you think Macbeth is considering in this soliloquy? 6. Macbeth tells the two murderers (who are not yet murderers) that Banquo is responsible for something – what is it? 7. Macbeth tries to rouse the men’s anger by comparing them to what? (This might remind you a little of his wife!) 8. He tells the men that an execution would both put them in the favor (and thus the pocket) of the throne AND would protect the health and the life of the king. To whose execution is he referring? 9. What excuse does Macbeth provide for not simply ordering the open execution of Banquo? 10. Where is Banquo to be killed? 11. Who else is to be killed? Scene ii 12. In lines 6-­‐9, Lady Macbeth indicates all is not well. Why? 13. A moment later, however, she attempts to calm Macbeth’s nerves by telling him what? 14. In lines 15-­‐19, Macbeth compares their situation to something. What is the comparison and what does it mean? 15. He also reveals (in lines 21-­‐23) that he and his wife have not been sleeping well. Which prophecy from earlier in the play does this fulfill? 16. What does Macbeth say would be better than their current situation? 17. How is the theme of “fair is foul, foul is fair” revisited in this exchange? 18. Macbeth and his wife discuss the danger that lives in Banquo, but Macbeth never directly tells her that Banquo is to be killed that night. How do we know this fact? Scene iii 19. Why is the First Murderer initially suspicious of the Third? 20. As Banquo dies, he issues his son TWO orders. What are they? 21. How do the murderers botch their mission? Scene iv 22. Just as all of Macbeth’s guests are seated, the First Murderer arrives. What is wrong with his appearance? 23. How did the Murderer kill Banquo? 24. After hearing that Banquo is dead and Fleance escaped, Macbeth once again employs a serpent metaphor. Explain this comparison. 25. Lady Macbeth encourages her husband to be a better host as Banquo’s ghost enters the dining room. Who is aware of his presence at this point? 26. Why can Lennox not understand why Macbeth insists the table is full? 27. At what line does Macbeth finally realize who is sitting in his seat? 28. What excuse does Lady Macbeth give for her husband’s odd behavior? 29. Lady Macbeth compares this incident to an earlier supernatural happening/hallucination. Which one? 30. Macbeth refers to the “good old days” when doing what was enough to get rid of someone? 31. As soon as Macbeth begins his toast to Banquo, what happens? 32. How does Macbeth say his reaction would be different if Banquo were alive, or a tiger, rhinoceros, etc.? 33. Lady Macbeth is finally forced to do what to cover up Macbeth’s persistently bizarre behavior? 34. Macbeth seems suddenly more sane and remembers that Banquo was not the only guest missing from his party. Who else failed to arrive and what is Macbeth’s reaction to this snub? 35. What does Macbeth determine to do the next day? 36. What does it mean when Macbeth says, “Strange things I have in head, that will to hand,/ Which must be acted ere (before) they may be scanned.” 37. What does this statement indicate about an impending change in Macbeth’s behavior? 38. What is Lady Macbeth’s explanation for Macbeth’s troubled mind? Macbeth’s explanation? Scene v 39. Who is Hecate? 40. Why is she so upset with the three witches? 41. Why does Hecate instruct the others to meet her in the morning? 42. What does Hecate mean when she says that, “Shall raise such artificial sprites/ As by the strength of their illusion/ Shall draw him on to this confusion.” 43. The nature of Macbeth’s downfall is shadowed by Hecate’s words: “Security/Is mortals’ chiefest enemy.” What do you think will lead to Macbeth’s downfall (other than ambition)? Scene vi 44. As Lennox speak with another Lord, he indicates the prevailing rumor about who killed Banquo. What is it? 45. How does the reader know that Lennox’s tone is sarcastic as he lists the “obvious” explanations for all of the recent murders? (Look at lines 15-­‐17) 46. What does Lennox suggest Macbeth would like to do to Malcolm, Donalbain and Fleance? 47. Where has Macduff gone and why? 48. How has Edward the Confessor received Macduff’s request? 49. What does this exchange indicate about Macbeth’s reign as king? 50. Have Macbeth and Lady Macbeth gotten away with their murders? Act IV Questions Scene i 1. What do the witches seem to be doing in the first 37 lines of the act? 2. How can we, the audience, tell that Macbeth is aware of the danger in asking the witches for his future? 3. The First With offers Macbeth two ways to receive his answers: what are they? What is Macbeth’s choice? 4. What warning does the First Witch issue Macbeth after he attempts to question the Armed Head? 5. What is the first apparition’s message? 6. What is the second apparition’s message? 7. What does this second apparition’s message seem to mean? 8. After hearing this warning, Macbeth vows to be doubly sure of his own safety. What do you think he plans to do? 9. What is the message of the third apparition? 10. What does this message mean? 11. What is Macbeth’s reaction to this message? 12. What question does Macbeth insist on having answered after the third apparition disappears? 13. What warning to the witches issue about this request? 14. What is the last apparition? 15. After the witches vanish, who appears? 16. What news does he bring? 17. What does Macbeth mean when he says, “…From this moment/ The very firstlings of my heart shall be/ The firstlings of my hand.” 18. What does Macbeth vow to do next? 19. What does Margaret vow to do next? Scene ii 20. Why is Lady Macduff so upset as this scene begins? 21. What does Lady Macduff say about the wren in comparison to her husband? 22. How does Ross attempt to reassure her? 23. Why does Ross say he needs to leave right way? 24. Why does Lady Macduff tell her son that Macduff is dead? Is he? 25. What does Lady Macduff say a traitor is? What does she mean? 26. What does her son think she means? 27. How does the son know that his father is not, in fact, dead? 28. A messenger runs in with what advice for Lady Macduff? 29. How does she plan to defend herself? 30. How effective is this defense? Scene iii 31. What is Malcolm’s state of mind as this scene opens? 32. What is Macduff’s immediate response to Malcolm’s comment? 33. Why does it sound as if Scotland itself is crying? 34. What does Malcolm say he does not trust Macduff? 35. Malcolm admits that Macduff is a good man but questions his current motives. Why? 36. To what does Malcolm refer when he says, “Angels are bright still, though the brightest fell?” 37. Malcolm questions Macduff’s choice to leave his family unprotected and then excuses himself by saying what? 38. Malcolm discloses that the king of England has offered him an army to reclaim Scotland, but he has not accepted the offer. Why not? 39. What is the first weakness of character to which Malcolm confesses (what vice does he claim to have)? 40. What is Macduff’s response to this weakness? 41. What is next in Malcolm’s list of vices? 42. Again, how does Macduff respond? 43. What does Malcolm say of his other graces, such as justice, patience and mercy? 44. Describe Macduff’s response to this description of Malcolm’s nature. (Write two sentences or more) 45. Malcolm demonstrates a complete change of heart after hearing this. Why? 46. What does Malcolm mean when he says, “…But God above/ Deal between thee and me, for even now/ I put myself to thy direction and/ Unspeak my own detraction, here abjure/ The taints and blames I laid upon myself/ For strangers to my nature.” 47. Malcolm discloses that Siward has already departed to do what? 48. Malcolm’s description of England’s good work with “the evil” is an example of what Renaissance belief about royalty? 49. How does Ross initially mislead Macduff? 50. Why does Ross want Malcolm to return to Scotland? 51. Ross is pleased by the news of the impending revolution, but he answers it with what bad news? 52. How does Malcolm respond to Macduff’s grief? What is odd about this? Why do you think he responds this way? 53. How does Macduff respond to the news (two stages)? Act V Questions Scene i 1. Why has a doctor been summoned at the beginning of this scene? 2. Where is Macbeth as this scene is taking place? 3. Why will the Gentlewoman not report what Lady Macbeth says in her sleep? 4. What does Lady Macbeth do with her hands when walking her sleep 5. What does Lady Macbeth seem to be recalling in her sleep? 6. Why does the doctor say he cannot help Lady Macbeth? Scene ii 7. This whole scene begins with Mentieth, Caithness, Lennox and Angus gathering their troops and preparing for battle. Whose side are they on? 8. Where do the English army and the Scottish rebels plan to meet? 9. Where has Macbeth gathered his forces? 10. Why is this significant? 11. What does Angus mean when he says, “…Now does he feel his title/Hang loose about him, like a giant’s robe/ Upon a dwarfish thief”? Scene iii 12. To what does Macbeth refer when he says, “Bring me no more reports. Let them fly all.” 13. Why does Macbeth say he has nothing to fear? 14. What news does his servant bring? 15. Why does Macbeth tell the servant to “prick thy face”? 16. In a speech in lines 25-­‐32, Macbeth indicates that he might want to die. Why? 17. As Macbeth puts on his armor, who arrives? 18. What else does Macbeth ask the doctor to heal? 19. Explain what the doctor means when he says, “Were I from Dunsinane away and clear,/ Profit again should hardly draw me here.” Scene iv 20. In lines 6-­‐10, Malcom issues a very important order. What is the order and why is it significant? 21. Who is fighting for Macbeth? Who has revolted against him? Scene v 22. How does Macbeth say the battle would have been different if some of his men had not deserted? 23. What does Macbeth say about the effect that screaming women have upon him? 24. What was the scream they heard? 25. What is his reaction to Lady macbeth’s death? 26. What does Macbeths’ state of mind seem to be in his “Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow” speech? 27. What does the messenger claim to have seen in lines 39-­‐40? 28. How does Macbeth’s outlook change at the end of this scene? Scene vi 29. What orders does Malcolm issue in this scene? Scene vii 30. The battle is underway as scene 7 begins. Who is the first soldier to encounter Macbeth? 31. What is the result of this encounter? 32. Why does Macduff insist that he be the one to kill Macbeth? 33. Why does Macduff not want to fight any other soldiers? 34. As the scene ends, what do Malcolm and Siward prepare to do? Scene viii 35. What idea does Macbeth dismiss at the beginning of this scene? 36. Why does Macbeth initially refuse to fight Macduff? 37. After they begin to fight, Macbeth brags that Macduff cannot win. Why? 38. What is Macduff’s response? 39. After hearing Macduff’s response, Macbeth refuses to fight. What option does Macduff offer him? 40. What does Macbeth choose and why? 41. When Siward hears his son is dead, what does he want to know about the corpse? Why is this insignificant? 42. When Macduff meets his friend, what is he carrying?