Structure

Epic structure basics

100

• What part of an epic introduces the setting and main characters?

• The exposition

200

• Which structural element introduces the main conflict in Macbeth?

• The inciting incident (the witches’ prophecy)

300

• What term describes the series of events that build tension after the inciting incident?

• The rising action

400

• What is the turning point of the play where Macbeth’s fate becomes unavoidable?

• the murder of King Duncan

500

• What part of the structure shows the consequences of Macbeth’s actions?

• The falling action (leading to the resolution)

Macbeth & the Tragic Hero

100

• What tragic flaw drives Macbeth’s actions throughout the play?

• Ambition

200

• How does Macbeth fit the definition of a tragic hero at the beginning of the play?

• He is noble, brave, and respected

300

• What moment shows Macbeth’s moral decline becoming irreversible?

* his hallucination/ killing king Duncan 

400

• What realization does Macbeth have near the end of the play that reflects tragic awareness?

• That life is meaningless and his actions were pointless/ and that Macduff is torn from his mother womb 

500

• What quality makes Macbeth a tragic hero rather than a villain?

• He begins as a noble and honorable man whose downfall is caused by his own tragic flaw

Key Moments by Act

100

• In which act are the witches introduced, setting up the main conflict?

• Act 1

200

• In which act does Macbeth murder King Duncan?

• Act 2

300

• Which act contains Banquo’s ghost, showing Macbeth’s guilt?

• Act 3

400

• In which act does Lady Macbeth begin to unravel mentally?

• Act 5

500

• Which act serves as the resolution where order is restored?

• Act 5

Rising Action Events

100

• What prophecy first plants the idea of power in Macbeth’s mind?

• That he will become King of Scotland

200

• Who pressures Macbeth to act on the prophecy?

• Lady Macbeth

300

• What crime deepens the rising action after Duncan’s murder?

• The murder of Banquo

400

• Why does Macbeth fear Banquo more than other characters?

• Because Banquo’s sons are prophesied to be kings

500

• What supernatural event represents Macbeth’s growing paranoia and guilt?

• Banquo’s ghost

Themes & Structure

100

• What theme is most closely connected to Macbeth’s tragic flaw?

• Ambition

200

• Which theme explains how power corrupts Macbeth over time?

• Corruption of power

300

• What theme is reinforced by the witches’ misleading prophecies?

• Appearance vs. reality

400

• How does fate vs. free will affect the structure of the play?

• The prophecies influence events, but Macbeth freely chooses his actions

500

• Why does Shakespeare use supernatural elements to shape the epic structure?

• To foreshadow events and influence the hero’s choices