Level 1
What is Macbeth's title at the beginning of the play?
Thane of Glamis
What is Mavbeth's wife?
Lady Macbeth
Who wrote Macbeth?
William Shakespeare
Who gives Macbeth the prophecy that he will be king?
The Three Witches
What is the name of the king that Macbeth murders?
King Duncan
What does Lady Macbeth repeatedly try to wash from her hands in Act 5?
Blood(symbolic of guilt)
Which character flees to England after Duncan's murder?
Malcolm
What vision does Macbeth see before killing Duncan?
A floating dagger
What is the main theme of Macbeth?
Ambition and its consequences
What discovers Duncan's body?
Macduff
What literary device is used in "Fair is foul, and foul is fair"?
Paradox
What is ironic about Macbeth's belief that "none of woman born shall harm Macbeth"?
Macduff was born via C-section, which technically means he was not "born of woman" in the usual way
Who says, Out, damned spot!" and what does it mean?
Lady Macbeth; is hallucinating and trying to wash away imaginary blood, symbolizing guilt
Which character serves as a foil to Macbeth by representing honor and justice?
Macduff
Why does Macbeth fear Banquo?
The witches predict that Banquo's descendants will be kings
What does the "tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow" soliloquy reveal about Macbeth's state of mind?
He feels hopeless, numb, and believes life is meaningless
What role does the motif of hallucinations play in the play?
They symbolize guilt and psychological torment(dagger, Banquo's ghost)
How does nature react to Duncan's murder?
Strange occurrences, such as darkness during the day and horses eating each other, reflect disorder in nature
Why does Lady Macbeth sleepwalk?
She is consumed by guilt over Duncan's murder
What is the significance of the apparition that tells Macbeth he will not be defeated until Birnam Wood moves to Dunsinane?
It foreshadows the soldiers using branches from Birnam Wood as camouflage, making it appear as though the forest is moving
What was the Gunpowder Plot, and how might it have influenced Macbeth?
It was a failed assassination attempt on King James I, and Macbeth reflects themes of treason and the consequences of regicide
What does Lady Macbeth's inability to kill Duncan herself reveal about her character?
She claims Duncan looks like her father, showing a moment of hesitation and humanity despite her ruthlessness
How does Macbeth reflect King James I's interests?
King James was fascinated by witchcraft and was a descendant of Banquo, making the play politically favorable to him
Why is Macbeth often called "the Scottish play" in the theater?
There is a superstition that saying the play's name brings bad luck
How does the play explore the concept of fate vs. free will?
The witches give Macbeth prophecies, but his actions (driven by ambition) ultimately lead to his downfall, raising the question of whether fate or choice determines destiny