Macbeth
What is Macbeth’s initial reputation at the start of the play? How did he earn the title “Brave Macbeth?”
Good reputation ; Excellent warrior
How does Lady Macbeth defy traditional gender norms?
Demonstrates more control over her husband
Willing to do gruesome deeds
Has extreme ambition
What role do the weird sisters play in the plot?
Catalysts of the main plot. Intervene in the lives of mortal men.
What do the witches prophesize about Banquo?
That his dependents will become the kings of Scotland.
In what ways do Macbeth and Macduff differ?
Macduff = honorable
Macbeth = Dishonorable ; consumed by ambition and bloodlust
What is Macbeth’s fatal flaw?
Ambition
In act 1, what does Lady Macbeth ask the spirits to do? Why does she ask the spirits to do this?
Asks the spirits to unsex her, or de-feminize her, so that she is able to commit violent and horrible deeds.
What are the three most important prophecies the witches tell Macbeth?
1. Macbeth will be King
2. No man of Woman born shall harm Macbeth
3. Macbeth will fall when Birnam Wood comes to Dunsinane
How does Banquo’s reaction to the witches differ from Macbeth’s?
Banquo is more hesitant to trust them. He is unnerved by them rather than fascinated.
What do the witches prophesize about Macduff?
That he will be the one to kill Macbeth
How is Macbeth mentally afflicted throughout the play? What infirmities does he suffer from?
Hallucinations, paranoia, increased violent urges
How does Lady Macbeth use manipulation to influence her husband’s decisions?
Pressures Macbeth into going through with the murder plot by calling him a coward, a child, a woman, and questioning his strength and honor.
Why were the witches not given names? What effect does this have on the reader/audience?
Reinforces idea that the weird sisters are not human, but supernatural creatures.
Why does Macbeth view Banquo as a threat even after Duncan is dead?
Because Banquo's dependents are prophesied to become kings of Scotland.
Why does Macduff flee Scotland so suddenly? Where does he go and why?
Name at least one object that symbolizes Macbeth’s guilt.
Bloody dagger
What does the "damned spot" symbolize in her sleepwalking scene?
imaginary spot of blood = manifestation of guilt
What characteristics does Malcolm share with his father? How are they similar, and how are they different?
Duncan: Trusting, kind, honorable
Malcolm: Slow to trust, kind, honorable
How does Banquo torment Macbeth after his death?
He haunts Macbeth as a ghost.
What tragedy does Macduff suffer in Act 4?
His wife and children are killed by Macbeth
What is Macbeth’s mindset like by the end of the play? What is his outlook on life?
Macbeth is completely hopeless by the end of the play. He believes life is pointless.
At what point does the power dynamic shift between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth?
When Macbeth stops confiding in Lady Macbeth about his murder plots.
When Lady Macbeth starts to mentally unravel.
Why do Malcolm and Donalbain flee to England and Ireland?
for their own safety after their father's murder. They do not know who they can trust.
How does Banquo die?
Macbeth hires assassins to kill him.
How does Macduff restore peace to Scotland?
Macduff kills Macbeth and hands the throne back to Malcolm.