Act I
What prophecy do the witches give to Macbeth?
They tell him he will become the Thane of Cawdor and eventually the King of Scotland.
What does Macbeth see before he kills Duncan?
A bloody dagger.
Who becomes suspicious of Macbeth and begins to investigate him?
Banquo.
Banquo's son.
Fleance.
What is a soliloquy?
A speech in which a character speaks their thoughts aloud, often alone on stage.
Who is the current king of Scotland at the beginning of the play?
King Duncan
Who discovers King Duncan's body?
Macduff
What plan does Macbeth create to eliminate Banquo?
He hires two murderers to kill Banquo and his son, Fleance.
The Prince of Cumberland.
Malcolm.
Define 'dramatic irony.'
When the audience knows something that the characters do not.
What is Lady Macbeth's reaction to Macbeth's letter about the witches' prophecy?
She is excited and begins to plot Duncan's murder.
Why does Lady Macbeth faint after Duncan's murder?
To distract attention from Macbeth and to appear innocent.
How does Macbeth react to Banquo's ghost at the banquet?
He becomes visibly shaken and disturbed, leading to a chaotic scene.
Calls Macbeth a coward.
Lady Macbeth.
What is a tragic hero?
A protagonist with a tragic flaw that leads to their downfall.
What is the setting at the beginning of Act I?
Scotland
What is the significance of blood imagery in Act II?
It symbolizes guilt and the consequences of murder.
What does Lady Macbeth suggest to calm Macbeth during the banquet?
She tells him to act normal and not show his fear.
Who says: "Fair is foul, and foul is fair?"
The witches.
What does 'foreshadowing' mean?
A literary device that gives hints or clues about what will happen later in the story.
How does Macbeth initially react to the idea of killing King Duncan?
He is hesitant and conflicted about the morality of the act.
What reason does Macbeth give for killing the guards?
He claims he did it out of rage over Duncan's murder.
What theme is explored through Macbeth's descent into tyranny in Act III?
The corrupting power of ambition/power.
Who says: "Oh, horror, horror, horror! This is beyond words and beyond belief!"
Macduff.
Explain the term "equivocation."
An expression or statement that is vague and deliberately misleading.