Witches and Prophecies
These beings open the play with the line “Fair is foul, and foul is fair.”
Who are the three witches?
This thought, which Macbeth tries to suppress in Act 1, concerns how he might speed up the prophecy.
What is the thought of murdering Duncan?
Lady Macbeth calls on dark forces with this famous line to make herself ruthless enough for murder.
What is “Unsex me here”?
Before the murder, Macbeth sees this vision leading him toward Duncan’s chamber.
What is the hallucinated dagger?
These two characters flee out of fear of being blamed for the murder.
Who are Malcolm and Donalbain?
This prophecy is given to Banquo, even though he will never be king himself.
What is the prophecy that he will “beget a line of kings”?
This moment reveals Macbeth’s inner conflict after hearing the prophecies: “If good, why do I yield to that suggestion…?”
What is Macbeth’s reaction to the witches' predictions?
This is the tactic Lady Macbeth uses to convince Macbeth that the murder must be done.
What is questioning his manhood and courage?
This sound makes Macbeth fear that the whole house is waking up during the murder.
What is the owl’s cry or the ringing of the bell?
Macbeth claims he killed the guards for this reason, though his explanation is suspicious.
What is that his love for the king drove him to rage?
This is the place where Macbeth and Banquo first encounter the witches.
What is the heath?
This decision Macbeth makes just before Lady Macbeth persuades him to change his mind.
What is the decision not to kill Duncan?
Lady Macbeth advises Macbeth to do this when guests arrive: “Look like the innocent flower…”
What is to hide his evil intentions behind a harmless exterior?
After the murder Macbeth says he cannot utter this word, though he tries.
What is “Amen”?
This character knocks at the gate while Macbeth and Lady Macbeth panic after the murder.
Who is Macduff?
This is why Macbeth is initially skeptical of the witches but soon becomes intrigued.
What is that they greet him with titles he doesn’t know he has yet?
This character stands in Macbeth’s way when Duncan names him Prince of Cumberland.
Who is Malcolm?
Lady Macbeth fears this trait in Macbeth, which she believes makes him too gentle for the crime.
What is his “milk of human kindness”?
Lady Macbeth tells Macbeth to wash this away, insisting it can be easily removed: “A little water clears us of this deed.”
What is the king’s blood?
This strange event during the night is interpreted as a sign that something terrible has happened.
What are the unnatural omens: storms, earthquakes, the owl killing the falcon, darkness during the day?
This prophecy is fulfilled almost immediately when Ross and Angus arrive with news.
What is the prophecy that he will become Thane of Cawdor?
Lady Macbeth must perform this task because Macbeth refuses to do it after the murder.
What is placing the daggers on the king’s guards?
Macbeth hears a voice cry this, making him believe he has destroyed his future.
What is “Sleep no more!”?
This character provides comic relief after the murder by pretending to be the porter of hell.
Who is the Porter?