Witches & Omens
“The three supernatural characters who open Act 1.”
Who are the three witches
“A wounded man who brings news of the battle to this important King (Act 1, Scene 2).”
Who is King Duncan
“This characters immediate reaction to the witches’ greetings is skepticism — he asks if they are real and questions their motives .”
Who is Banquo
“What item arrives that tells Lady Macbeth about the witches’ predictions?”
What is Macbeth’s letter reporting the witches’ prophecies
“This succession system leads to election among the adult male relatives - but not a direct child.”
What is the Law of Tanistry?
“The short paradoxical refrain the witches speak about appearance and reality.”
What is ‘fair is foul, and foul is fair’
“The villainous rebel Macbeth defeats, is then displayed this way.”
What is head spiked and put up on a wall
This character has an emotional reaction after the witches’ prophecies begin to come true and he starts to contemplate murder
Who is Macbeth
“Lady Macbeth’s plan to ensure Duncan’s servants look guilty — two actions she will take.”
What is she will drug the guards and smear them with Duncan’s blood and place the daggers with them
"This Macbeth did this a pilgrimage to Rome and donations to the church to improve his reputation and show piety."
Who is the real Macbeth
“The weather and place described in Scene 1 where the witches meet.”
What is thunder and lightning on the heath
“After Macbeth’s victory, Duncan decides to remove and punish a traitor and give Macbeth his title—name the punished thane.”
Who is the thane of Cawdor?
This character finds the idea of power heady and wishes she were a man if only to be taken seriously in her resolve
Who is Lady Macbeth
How Lady Macbeth challenges Macbeth to commit the murder (what tactic does she use)?
What is she questions his courage and manhood to shame/persuade him
The real Macbeth takes revenge for the death of his father by doing this.
What is burning his cousin and 50 of his men alive and marrying his cousin's widow
“The two men that speak on the heath after the witches vanish.”
Who are Banquo and Macbeth
“The king’s eldest son who is named heir, creating an obstacle for Macbeth.”
Who is Malcolm
This character gives several reasons for hesitation to kill such as - the man is a kinsman and guest, murder has consequences in life and afterlife (justice), and pity for Duncan’s virtues.
Who is Macbeth
“The deceptive behavior Lady Macbeth instructs Macbeth to adopt in front of Duncan.”
What is to appear welcoming and innocent while hiding murderous intent (look like the innocent flower)
“A major contrast between the historical Macbeth and Shakespeare’s Macbeth is the this Macbeth was well-liked"
Who is the real Macbeth
“The three things the witches greet Macbeth by upon meeting him.” (the titles/predictions)
What are thane of Glamis, thane of Cawdor, and future king
“The location Duncan intends to visit that night (prompting Macbeth’s plotting).”
What is Inverness (or Macbeth’s castle)
This character is giving the honor of being "future King" by Duncan - angering Macbeth
Who is Malcolm
“By the end of Act 1, Scene 7, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth decide to do this."
What is they decide to go ahead with the plan to murder Duncan
This Macbeth plotted murder while also appearing controlled by the whims of his "Lady"
Who is Shakespeare’s Macbeth