Quotes
Fair is foul, and foul is fair." Who says this?
(The Witches)
Yet do I fear thy nature; It is too full o' th' milk of human kindness."
(Lady Macbeth)
What title does Macbeth receive before being told he will be king?
(Thane of Cawdor)
What does blood symbolize in Macbeth?
(Guilt and murder)
What is the witches’ first prophecy for Macbeth?
(That he will be Thane of Cawdor and then King)
"Is this a dagger which I see before me?" Who says this and in what context?
(Macbeth, before killing Duncan)
"Thou shalt get kings, though thou be none."
The Witches, speaking to Banquo
What is Lady Macbeth’s plan for killing Duncan?
(Get the guards drunk, kill Duncan in his sleep, frame the guards)
Why does Macbeth believe he will never sleep again
(His guilt haunts him after the murder of Duncan)
What role do the witches play in Macbeth’s actions?
(They plant the idea of ambition but don’t directly tell him to act on it)
"Sleep no more! Macbeth does murder sleep!" What does this quote signify?
(Macbeth's guilt and descent into paranoia)
"Look like the innocent flower, but be the serpent under it."
(Lady Macbeth, advising Macbeth to deceive others)
What vision does Macbeth see before he murders Duncan?
(A floating dagger)
What does the knocking at the gate symbolize in Act II?
(The return of order and justice, as well as Macbeth’s fear)
What unnatural events occur after Duncan’s murder?
(Horses eat each other, an eclipse, an owl kills a falcon)
"A little water clears us of this deed." Who says this and why?
(Lady Macbeth, trying to downplay the murder)
"I am settled, and bend up each corporal agent to this terrible feat."
(Macbeth, deciding to kill Duncan)
Who discovers Duncan’s murder?
(Macduff)
What does darkness represent in Acts 1 and 2?
(Evil, chaos, and the unknown)
Why does Banquo distrust the witches?
(He fears they will lead to ruin)
"There’s daggers in men’s smiles." What does this mean and who says it?
(Donalbain, expressing distrust after Duncan’s murder)
"My hands are of your color, but I shame to wear a heart so white."
Lady Macbeth, criticizing Macbeth for his guilt
Where do Malcolm and Donalbain flee to after Duncan’s murder?
(England and Ireland)
Why does Lady Macbeth repeatedly reference washing her hands?
(She believes it will cleanse her of guilt)
How do the witches’ prophecies for Banquo contrast with Macbeth’s? How will this influence events in the play?
(Banquo’s descendants will be kings, but he won’t be one himself)
Macbeth is distrustful and power hungry.