Witches & Prophecies
In the opening scene, the witches chant this famous line, meaning that things will not be what they seem.
What is "Fair is foul and foul is fair"?
This character is the first king murdered by Macbeth; he was described as being "far too trusting" of others.
Who is Duncan?
This character sleepwalks and tries to wash an imaginary "damned spot" of blood from her hands.
Who is Lady Macbeth?*
When Lady Macbeth says, "Look like the innocent flower, but be the serpent under't", she is illustrating this major motif.
Macduff calls sleep "death's counterfeit". In this context, what does counterfeit mean?
What is a false/fake imitation?*
This character is told by the witches that he will never be king, but he will get kings.
Who is Banquo?
Immediately after murdering the King, Macbeth is so distressed that he realizes he is unable to say this holy word.
What is "Amen"?*
This character's "tragic flaw" is his overwhelming ambition.
Who is Macbeth?
The "chief nourisher in life's feast" that Macbeth believes he has "murdered" is actually this.
What is sleep?*
Macbeth describes life as a tale told by an idiot, "full of sound and fury". In other words, he means life amounts to this much meaning.
What is nothing?
Macbeth is told in one apparition that he will never be harmed until this forest comes to Dunsinane.
What is Birnam Wood?*
This character flees the scene when his father, Banquo, is murdered, remaining as a threat to Macbeth's throne.
Who is Fleance?
This character accuses her husband of being a traitor before she is murdered.
Who is Lady Macduff?
Strange events in nature, such as an owl killing a falcon, represent this recurring motif.
What is the unnatural/supernatural?
Lady Macbeth tells her husband to be "jovial" among his guests at their feast, meaning he should act in this sort of manner.
What is cheerful?
Macbeth sees several apparitions, including a crowned child holding a tree and a head wearing this type of armor.
What is a helmet?
Macbeth orders the slaughter of this character's wife and children after said character ignores and insults him by not attending his coronation.
Who is Macduff?
This character tests Macduff's loyalty by pretending he will be a more tyrannical and greedy king than Macbeth.
Who is Malcolm?
How is the following an example of dramatic irony: Macduff tells Lady Macbeth that the news of murder is too "gentle" for her ears, even though the audience knows she did this.
What is helped plan & cover up the murder?
When Macbeth asks for an "antidote" to cleanse a "stuffed bosom", he is looking for one of these.
What is a remedy/solution?
Macbeth sees a final horrifying apparition of a long line of men carrying these objects, representing Banquo's endless lineage.
What are mirrors?
During the final battle, Macbeth realizes he is doomed but continues to fight because he prefers an honorable defeat over this.
What is a humiliating surrender?
This character shouts, "Tyrant, show thy face!" and seeks to kill Macbeth to avenge his family's ghosts.
Who is Macduff?
Macbeth uses this Greek God's name when wondering if all the water in the world can wash the blood from his hands.
Who is Neptune?
When Macbeth describes his crown as "fruitless" and his scepter as "barren", he realizes he has no one to do this.
What is pass down his inheritance/throne to?