Symbolism
What does blood symbolize?
Blood is a symbol of guilt, corruption, and remorse.
What was Banquo's effect on Macbeth when he was a ghost?
Banquo's ghost acts as a physical state of Macbeth's overwhelming guilt and moral corruption as Macbeth descends into tyranny.
Knowing that Macbeth's prophecies have come true, who is the first person to suspect Macbeth of Duncan's murder?
Banquo.
Who is working to help Malcom take the throne back from Macbeth and his family is eventually killed by Macbeth?
Macduff.
What was the reason that Macbeth hired the murderers to kill Banquo and his family?
Macbeth hired the murderers to stop the prophecy that Banquo's heirs will reign.
What does the armed head symbolize?
The armed head symbolizes Macduff as a war threat and foreshadows Macbeth's eventual decapitation.
How has Macbeth's character changed ever since he has become king?
He has been unable to cope with his actions which makes him turn to evil and become unstable.
Who says that being king is worthless if his position is not safe and feels that Banquo is a threat to him?
Macbeth.
What prediction does Macbeth make about how he will die?
He will die a natural death, rather than be murdered by his enemies.
What is Macbeth's response to hearing the prophecies about Macduff?
He orders the murderers to kill Macduff's family.
What does Banquo's ghost symbolize?
It represents Macbeth's overwhelming guilt and psychological consequences of his actions.
How has Macduff influenced by Macbeth due to the killings?
He is now grieving, and desires to take action against Macbeth.
After arranging Banquo's murder, who dies and who survives?
Banquo is killed and his son Fleance survives by running away.
What does Macbeth decide to do after his visit with the witches in the cave?
Attack Macduff's castle and kill his wife and children.
What was the effect of Macbeth yelling at Banquo's ghost?
After Macbeth yells at Banquo's ghost, Lady Macbeth then decides to dismiss the guests.
What does dark night symbolize in the end of ACT 3?
It symbolizes hiding evil plans as Macbeth plans murder.
How is Lady Macbeth's control changing over time?
Over time as Macbeth's control grows as he becomes king, and Lady Macbeth's control is slowly fading.
Finish this sentence: "all things gained through evil..."
This describes Macbeth's character after arranging Duncan and now Banquo's murders.
Are made and secure through more evil.
What does Malcolm do to test Macduff's loyalty?
Malcolm describes his character flaws.
What were the consequences of Fleance escaping his assassination attempt?
It shifts Macbeth's fortune from secure tyranny to paranoid decline.
What does the Ghost in the chair symbolize for Macbeth's future?
When the ghost takes Macbeth's seat it shows how Macbeth's authority is unstable and is shown to be taken by others.
What does Lady Macbeth's actions during the banquet reveal about the development of her character?
Lady Macbeth, while she initially displays a stronger character than Macbeth, now starts to switch roles with Macbeth. The banquet acts as the climax of her power before she starts an eventual metal deterioration.
This goddess of witchcraft is angry that the weird sisters got involved with Macbeth without including her and angry with Macbeth for using them.
Hecate.
What are the three apparitions that the witches reveal to Macbeth and what do they mean?
A head wearing a helmet- beware Macduff thane of Fife, a bloody child- no person born of a woman can hurt Macbeth, and a child wearing a crown- he cannot be defeated unless the forest of Birnam Wood comes to Dunsinane
How does Malcolm test Macduff's loyalty?
Malcolm pretends to be an even more corrupt and greedy tyrant than Macbeth has become to see if Macduff is truly concerned for Scotland's future.