Royal History
This Scottish king became James I of England after Elizabeth I died.
James VI of Scotland.
This term names a humorous break in the tension of a tragedy.
Comic relief.
In Shakespeare’s English, “wherefore” means this.
Why.
Duncan gives his son this title to identify him as his successor. Name both the son and the title.
Malcolm; Prince of Cumberland.
Macbeth reacts to this unexpected guest at his banquet, alarming the other guests.
Banquo’s ghost.
Elizabeth’s reign gave this era its name. James’s reign began this next era. Name both.
The Elizabethan and Jacobean eras.
A character gives a long speech revealing private thoughts that other characters are not intended to hear. Name the device.
Soliloquy.
Translate all three: hark, hie, and anon.
Listen; hurry; soon.
Macbeth already holds Glamis when he meets the witches. This is the new thaneship he soon receives.
Thane of Cawdor.
What two things are used to direct suspicion toward Duncan’s guards?
Lady Macbeth smears them with blood and leaves the bloody daggers with them.
This history of Britain supplied material for Macbeth. Give the author’s name and the title.
Raphael Holinshed’s Chronicles.
Name the device for each: a brief private comment to the audience; a conversation between characters; instructions such as “Enter Macbeth.”
Aside; dialogue; stage directions.
Translate each sentence: “Thou givest.” “He giveth.” “I love thee.”
“You give.” “He gives.” “I love you.”
The witches predict that this soldier’s descendants will rule. His son escapes the murderers. Name father and son.
Banquo and Fleance.
Malcolm pretends that he would be a terrible ruler while speaking with Macduff. Explain why.
He is testing Macduff’s loyalty to Scotland to determine whether he can trust him.
James wrote this book about witchcraft and claimed descent from this character in Macbeth. Name both.
Daemonologie and Banquo.
Define blank verse and explain the rhythm of one iamb.
Unrhymed iambic pentameter. Each iamb has an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable; there are five iambs per line.
Translate each directional word: thence, thither, whence, and whither.
From there; to there; from where; to where.
Name Duncan’s other son and the country to which he flees after Duncan’s murder.
Donalbain; Ireland.
After Macduff leaves Scotland to seek help against Macbeth, what does Macbeth order against his household, and what does this reveal about his rule?
Macbeth orders the murder of Macduff’s wife and children. This reveals his cruelty and willingness to attack innocent people to preserve his power.
Explain three features of Macbeth that could have appealed to King James I.
Its Scottish setting connects to his homeland; its witches connect to his interest in witchcraft; Banquo connects to his claimed ancestry.
Explain why Macbeth fits the idea of a tragic hero. Include his early qualities, his inner flaw, and its consequence.
Macbeth begins as a brave, honored soldier. His ambition drives him to betrayal and violence, contributing to his downfall.
Translate this practice sentence: “The king’s issue never ere durst fly. So wherefore would he fly to thine home anon?”
“The king’s child never before dared to flee. So why would he flee to your home soon?”
Name all three: the goddess of witchcraft; the English general supporting Malcolm; the officer attending Macbeth.
Hecate; Siward; Seyton.
Explain both surprises that undo Macbeth’s confidence: Birnam Wood moving and the prediction about “woman born.”
Malcolm’s soldiers carry branches from Birnam Wood toward Dunsinane. Macduff reveals that he was cut from his mother’s womb, defeating Macbeth’s understanding of the prediction.