Macbeth Review Questions-Act 1
Directions: On your own paper, answer the following questions in a complete sentence.
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Why is Macbeth upset when Malcom is chosen as “Prince of Cumberlan
What does Lady Macbeth mean by saying “Thy nature is too full of the milk of human kindness”?
Name your favorite “paradox” and explain it.
Name three reasons that Macbeth discusses for NOT killing Duncan.
Explain the “sticking place” metaphor and how it is connected to the plot.
Name the three prophecies that the witches give to Macbeth.
Name the three prophecies that the witches give to Banquo.
What does Lady Macbeth mean when she says “unsex me here”
How has the witches’s prophecies changed Macbeth’s character?
Explain the quote, “There is not art to find the construction in the face”, and how does it relate to Lady Macbeth?
Macbeth Review Questions-Act 2
Directions: On your own paper, answer the following in a complete sentence.
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Explain how Shakespeare prepares the reader through a vision for the death of Duncan.
Name and explain three metaphors used to symbolize sleep in the “extended metaphor”
Banquo said, “the night’s candles are out”. How does this quote connect to Macbeth?
After Macbeth kills Duncan, why does his wife get mad at him? Explain what she does.
Name two themes mentioned, and how they are connected to the story.
Explain the first part of scene three and the importance of the porter.
Explain the meaning of the Macbeth quote, “Macbeth hath murdered sleep”.
Explain the connection between water and the blood on Macbeth’s hands.
After Duncan’s death, Macduff says, “murder hath broke open the Lord’s anointed temple”. Explain the meaning
of the quote and its allusion to the Bible.
10. After the death of Duncan, explain the decision made by Malcom and Donalbain and what it foreshadows.
Macbeth Review Questions -Act 3
Directions: On your own paper, answer the following in a complete sentence.
1. Explain why Macbeth wants to know where Banquo and Fleance are riding?
2. After Banquo leaves, what does Macbeth tell the murderers?
3. Explain this quote "There the grown serpent lies; the worm that's fled”.
4. During the party in the castle, explain what happens to Macbeth?
5. Explain why Hecate is upset with the other witches
6. What is different about Macbeth’s thoughts about killing Duncan and Banquo?
7. Explain how Macbeth changes at the end of this act.
8. Explain what is discussed in the last scene among the warriors.
9. Explain what goes wrong when Banquo is assassinated.
10. Explain happens at the banquet?
Macbeth Review Questions - Act 4
Directions: On your own paper answer the following in complete sentence.
1. Explain why Ross is talking to Lady Macbeth before she is killed? What do you think of Ross?
2. Explain the following quote by Macduff’s son: The liars and swearers are fools; for there are liars and swearers
enough to beat the honest men and hang up them.
3. Explain why Macduff left his family in Scotland instead of taking them with him.
4. What does Malcom’s test of Macduff’s loyalty tell the reader about Malcom as a person?
5. Explain what causes Macbeth to lower himself to a “killer of women and children”.
6. Explain what the plan is for Malcom to return to Scotland and fight Macbeth.
7. Explain how the witches’ prophecies appear to be positive for Macbeth.
8. Share three images of a fallen world in Act 4, Scene 3 in talking about the country of Scotland.
9. When talking to Lady Macduff, what does Ross say to indicate his discomfort in being with her?
10. Explain the 3 new witch’s prophecies.
Macbeth Review Questions – Act 5
Directions: On your own paper, answer the following in complete sentence.
1. In the sleep walking scene, explain what Lady Macbeth talks about.
2. Explain the quote: “Out Damned Spot, out I say”, by Lady Macbeth.
3. Explain the quote: “Those Macbeth commands move only in command, nothing in love.
4. Why does Macbeth tell the “false thanes” to fly in scene 3.
5. When Malcom’s forces meet the Scottish army, what does Malcom tell the men to do? How does this relate to
the last
6. prophecies of the witches.
7. Explain the “bloody baby” prophecy.
8. Explain the “Moving Forrest” prophecy.
9. Explain the “Beware Macduff” prophecy.
10. Explain the meaning of the quote: “Out, out brief candle, Life is but a walking shadow”.
11. In the end, what happens to Macbeth?