Background and Literary Terms
People thought that saying the name MACBETH was bad luck, so the play was often referred to as...
The Scottish Play
What sign convinces Macbeth that he must go forward with killing King Duncan?
He sees a floating dagger pointing towards Duncan's bedroom.
What trait does Macbeth have that makes him interpret the prophesies wrong?
HINT... It is also his fatal flaw.
Hubris
"There's no art to find the mind's construction in the face (Act 1 Scene 4).
King Duncan
Where is Macduff's castle located?
Fife
The use of humor to take attention away from earlier gruesome or horrific actions on stage
Comic relief
What moral reasons does Macbeth give when hesitating to kill King Duncan?
King Duncan is in double trust because Macbeth is his kinsman and Duncan is in his home.
Possible answers include that Duncan is a widely respected and virtuous ruler and Macbeth does not want to spend all of eternity in Hell.
The doctor taking care of Lady Macbeth says she needs a ____ to cure her.
Priest
"From the prickings of my thumb, something wicked this way comes. Open, locks, whoever knocks" (Act 4, Scene 1)
This character is in line for the throne after Malcolm
A characteristic or error in judgement that causes the downfall of a tragic hero is called...
Fatal flaw
"Knock, knock, knock! Who's there, I th' name of Beezlebub? Here's a farmer that hanged himself on the expectation of plenty. Come in time!"
After Duncan's murder, the Porter compares the castle to _____, which is an example of ____ irony.
Hell, dramatic
What is NOT one of the three warnings that the witches gave Macbeth in Act 4, Scene 1?
a. No man of woman borne shall harm Macbeth
b. Beware the Thane of Fife
c. Macbeth will not have children
d. Macbeth will not be defeated until Birnam Wood moves to Dunsinane.
c. Macbeth will not have children
"Here's the smell of blood still. All the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little hand. O, O, O!" (Act 5 Scene 1).
Lady Macbeth
I attempted to kill Macbeth but was defeated
Young Siward
What is the definition of MOTIF and what are two examples in the play?
A motif is an element that recurs throughout and contributes to, or creates, other aspects of the narrative such as mood or theme.
Possible answers include...
Sleep
Blood
Nature/ Weather
Supernatural
Duplicity
Water/ Washing
What is symbolic about Lady Macbeth washing her hands when she returns after planting the daggers in the hands of the king’s servants?
What does Malcolm say he will after Macbeth had been killed?
HINT: It is the final soliloquy of the play..
"I cannot strike at wretched kerns, whose arms are hired to bare their staves. Either thou, Macbeth or else my sword with an unbattered edge, I sheathe again undeeded" (Act 5 Scene 8)
Macduff
Duncan and Macbeth are related how?
They are cousins
When a character is speaking on the stage and only the audience can hear them, it is considered THIS type of device, creating ____ irony.
Aside, dramatic
Who are the two characters that Macbeth is referring to in this quote and why is the symbol of the snake important?: "There the grown serpent lies. The worm that's flead hath nature that in time will venom breed, no teeth for the present".
Macbeth is referring to Banquo and Fleance and how Fleance will soon get power as the prophecy states. The symbol is an example of a motif.
Name ONE of the reasons that Malcolm and Macduff have their army use tree branches to camouflage themselves.
Possible answers include...
So that Macbeth will not get an accurate read on how many soldiers they have
To intimidate Macbeth
"If I had died an hour before this happened, I'd have lived a blessed life span. From now on, there's nothing left worth living for. Everything is sham. Honor and dignity are dead" (Act 2 Scene 3).
Macbeth
Where do the kings go to be crowned?
Scone