Banquo
What prophecy do the witches make about Banquo?
They predict that Banquo’s sons will be kings, though Banquo himself will not be
What does Lady Macbeth urge Macbeth to do after hearing the witches’ prophecy?
She urges him to kill King Duncan so he can become king
Who is Macbeth at the beginning of the play?
A brave Scottish general and a loyal subject of King Duncan
Why is Macbeth a tragic hero?
His ambition is his fatal flaw that leads to his downfall
In Act I, when did the witches plan to meet Macbeth?
At sunset and after the war was over.
How does Banquo react differently to the witches’ prophecies than Macbeth does?
Banquo is cautious and skeptical, while Macbeth becomes obsessed and ambitious.
How does Lady Macbeth challenge Macbeth’s hesitation?
She questions his masculinity and courage to manipulate him
What prophecy do the witches make about Macbeth?
They predict that Macbeth will become Thane of Cawdor and eventually King of Scotland
What does the dagger symbolize in Macbeth?
Ambition
What role do the witches play in the story?
They introduce prophecies that influence Macbeth’s actions
Why does Macbeth see Banquo as a threat?
Banquo’s prophecy suggests that Macbeth’s crown will not last and that Banquo’s descendants will replace him.
How does Lady Macbeth contradict the gender norms for women at that time?
She rejects her submissive and nurturing ways by being ruthless and having ambition
How does Macbeth change after hearing the witches’ prophecy?
He becomes increasingly ambitious and begins to consider gaining power through immoral actions
What internal conflict does Macbeth struggle with before killing King Duncan
He struggles between his sense of honor and loyalty and his desire for power and ambition
Why are the witches’ prophecies dangerous?
They are misleading and encourage Macbeth to act on his worst ambitions
What makes Banquo a noble character?
His loyalty to Duncan and resistance to temptation
How does Lady Macbeth’s mental state change over the course of the play?
She shifts from confident and controlling to guilt-ridden, anxious, and unstable.
What ultimately causes Macbeth’s downfall?
His growing reliance on violence (murder) and dependence on the witches' prophecies
What does the recurring imagery of blood symbolize?
Guilt and the consequences of violent actions
When Macbeth goes back to the witches and demands to know more about his fate, what do the witches show him?
What does Banquo's ghost represent?
Macbeth's guilt and declining mental state
Why do you think Lady Macbeth was sleepwalking at the beginning of Act 5?
Her subconscious mind was feeling guilty
How did Birnam Wood move, and why was Macduff able to kill Macbeth?
- Malcolm orders soldiers to use tree branches as camouflage as they march to Dunsinane Hill
- Macduff was delivered through a C-Section (aka he was "ripped out" not born)
How does the theme of appearance vs. reality affect the characters’ decisions?
Characters are deceived by false appearances, leading them to make dangerous choices
Which theme relates to the witches' line:
"Fair is foul, and foul is fair."
- Corrupting power of unchecked ambition
- Appearance vs Reality
- Unsettling influence of the supernatural
Appearance vs Reality