Background
What has 14 lines of iambic pentameter?
A Sonnet
This character heavily influenced Macbeth to kill the King.
Lady Macbeth
Explain this quote:
"So foul and fair a day I have not seen."
Macbeth says this after winning the battle in Scotland against the Norwegian troops. Macbeth had never experienced such a good and bad day. He won the battle for his country but many of his men died.
Give detail on Act 1 Scene 1 about the Witches Prophecy
The three witches meet Macbeth and Banquo and tell them Macbeth will be Thane of Cawdor and the King and Banquos descendants will be King
Who was the play Macbeth based on?
A real Scottish King
This character suspects that Macbeth had killed King Duncan.
Banquo
Explain this quote:
“All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, Thane of Glamis! All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, Thane of Cawdor! All hail, Macbeth, that shalt be king hereafter!”
The witches greet Macbeth with these surprising titles. This is the beginning of the predictions and how they played a role in Macbeth’s further decision. They were placing the idea in Macbeth’s head that he was soon to be raising to ultimate power.
Give detail on Act 1 Scene 5 about Macbeths letter to Lady Macbeth, and how does she react?
Macbeth writes -Lady Macbeth a letter about his new role of Thane of Cawdor and how the witches told him he will also be king.
She starts plotting on King Duncan's murder so her husband can be king
Who was Macbeth first performed for?
King James of Scotland and England
This character admits to the murder of the guards after King Duncan's body was found.
Macbeth
Explain this quote:
"Bring forth men-children only, / For thy undaunted mettle should compose /
Nothing but males."
Macbeth says this to LMB after she asks evil spirits to remove the femininity from her body and make her cruel enough to be able to kill King Duncan. Macbeth thinks LMB has become too cold hearted to raise a girl.
Give detail on Act II Scene 5 about Macbeth seeing the floating dagger.
Macbeth has a soliloquy and imagines a floating bloody dagger leading him to King Duncan's chamber.
Macbeth then feels more guilty of his plan to kill the king.
How was the concept of the “Divine Right of Kings” understood in the early 1600s?
It meant that kings were chosen by God and had unquestionable authority. Going against the king was seen as both treason and a sin.
Who was supposed to be the heir to the throne after King Duncan.
Malcolm
Explain this quote:
“One cried ‘God bless us’ and ‘Amen’ the other, 37 As they had seen me with these hangman’s hands, 38 List’ning their fear. I could not say ‘Amen’”
Macbeth is talking to LMB asking if she heard the cries that were let out when Macbeth killed Duncan. He was startled and realized he could not utter the word “Amen.” He felt so evil and cruel after betraying and killing Duncan, which resulted in him not being able to say such a holy word.
Give detail on Act II Scene 2 about the plan to kill King Duncan, and what happens.
-Macbeth and Lady Macbeth go through with the plan of killing the king in his sleep
-Macbeth messes up the plan and doesn’t plant the daggers by the guards, so Lady Macbeth gets mad and does it for him
What are some characteristics of a Shakespearean tragedy?
Tragedies involve a noble hero with a tragic flaw, a series of poor choices or fate, and a downfall that ends in death or destruction.
Who flees to Ireland after King Duncan’s death?
Explain this quote:
"No, this my hand will rather / The multitudinous seas incarnadine, / making the green one red."
Macbeth had just previously killed Duncan. His hands are so bloody that he believes the ocean can’t wash it off. Instead, he would turn the ocean red with blood. This implies that his guilty conscience is so strong that it can’t be aided.
Give detail on Act II Scene 3 about what happens the day after the Kings death.
-Its the morning after King Duncan was killed and Macduff discovers his body
-Macbeth admits to killing the guards “out of rage” which makes him look more guilty of the crime
-King Duncan's sons, Malcom and Donalbain flee of England and Ireland fearing they could also get killed
-Macbeth gets crowned king