Characters
Who were the two heroes that fought together for Scotland in the beginning of the play? (Act 1, Scene 2)
Macbeth and Banquo
Which country is the play set?
Scotland
Who stated the following: "Fair is foul, and foul is fair." (Act 1, Scene 1)
Explain the context of when this was said, and what they meant by this.
Answers may vary.
The witches said this in the very beginning of the play. They are claiming that things are not as they may seem: things that are bad may be good, and things that are good may be bad.
Expand on the major theme that the following quote (from Macbeth) addresses:
"What hands are here? Ha! They pluck out mine eyes! Will all great Neptune's ocean wash this blood clean from my hand? No; this my hand will rather the multitudinous seas incarnadine, making the green one red." (Act 2, Scene 2)
Answers may vary.
Guilt that Macbeth is feeling after he kills Duncan.
Who is the author of Macbeth? (full name)
Who was the traitor to Scotland in the beginning of the play? (Act 1, Scene 2)
Previous Thane of Cawdor
Where was Duncan killed? (Act 2, Scene 2)
Macbeth's castle
Who stated the following: "And oftentimes, to win us to our harm, the instruments of darkness tell us truths." (Act 1, Scene 3)
Explain the context of when this was said, and what they meant by this.
Answers may vary.
Banquo says this after the witches' prophesy (Macbeth becoming Thane of Cawdor) comes true.
He is explaining to Macbeth that sometimes agents of evil earn people's trust by telling them the truth, which will ultimately harm them.
Does Macbeth's ambition go away when he becomes king? Explain your answer.
No, it gets worse. He now plans to kill Banquo and Fleance.
What gift does Duncan give Lady Macbeth in Act 2, Scene 1?
A Diamond
What is the name of Duncan's second son, who fled to Ireland? (Act 2, Scene 3)
Donaldbain
Where did Macbeth first see Banquo's ghost? (Act, Scene 4)
The Banqueting Hall
Who stated the following: "Where we are, there's dagger in men's smiles; the nea'er in blood, the nearer bloody." (Act 2, Scene 3)
Explain the context of when this was said, and what they meant by this.
Answers may vary.
Donaldbain says this to Malcolm soon after they find out about their father's murder. He suspects that he and his brother (Malcolm) may be the next victims and decides to flee Scotland.
He reinforces the idea of "fair is foul, foul is fair" and "look like th'innocent flower, but be the serpent under't" by saying that they cannot trust anyone, despite their smiles and outward appearance.
Expand on the major theme that the following quote (from Lady Macbeth) addresses:
"Yet do I fear thy nature, it is too full o'th'milk of human kindness to catch the nearest way." (Act 1, Scene 5)
Answers may vary.
This quote addresses the theme of gender. Throughout the play, Lady Macbeth tries to insult Macbeth by characterizing him with womanly traits and challenging his masculinity. She is able to use this to manipulate him into participating in particular deeds.
What excuse did Macbeth give for killing the guards? (Act 2, Scene 3)
He says that he could not control his anger towards them because of the loyalty and love he held for King Duncan.
Who discovered King Duncan's dead body? (Act 2, Scene 3)
Macduff
Where was Macduff's castle?
Fife
Who stated the following: "O, I could play the woman with mine eyes and braggart with my tongue. But gentle heavens, cut short all intermission." (Act 4, Scene 3)
Explain the context of when this was said, and what they meant by this.
Answers may vary.
Macduff says this after he finds out that his family was murdered. Macduff is feeling devastated at the loss of his family and Malcolm tells him to take it like a man ("Dispute it like a man").
Macduff is saying he may act like a woman by crying and like a man by voicing threats. But he seems to be caught somewhere in the middle - not abiding to one particular gender stereotype. And he is not ashamed by this.
This is the turning point for Macduff as now he seeks to avenge his family by facing Macbeth and killing him.
What are the 4 apparitions? (Act 4, Scene 1)
State them in the proper order. What did each apparition tell/show Macbeth? What was their significance?
1. Armed head (Beware Macduff; decapitated head of Macbeth)
2. Bloody child (None of woman born; Macbeth was born from "c-section")
3. Crowned child holding a tree (Safe until Great Birnam Wood moves up Dunsinane Hill; Malcolm leads his army up the hill from the Great Biram Wood holding branches)
4. Line of eight kings, followed by Banquo's ghost (Banquo's descendants will be kings)
What are the three things that the Porter said drinking provokes? (Act 2, Scene 3)
1. Red nose (nose-painting)
2. Sleep
3. Urine
Who attempted to kill Macbeth but was not able to? (Act 5, Scene 7)
Young Siward
Where do Malcolm and Macduff meet to discuss their allyship? Be specific! (Act 4, Scene 3)
The English Court (in England)
Who stated the following: "Out, out brief candle! Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player that struts and frets his hour upon the stage and is heard no more: it is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing. (Act 5, Scene 5)
Explain the context of when this was said, and what they meant by this.
Answers may vary.
Macbeth says this after he finds out about Lady Macbeth's death.
He is suggesting that life (reality) is nothing but an illusion or an act that will eventually disappear and be forgotten. He deems it to be futile and meaningless. Our existence ends up meaning nothing to ourselves and signifying nothing to anybody else.
What was the purpose of the conversation between Ross and the old man in Act 2, Scene 4? What major theme/idea is being addressed? Explain. Consider the context.
Answers may vary.
This conversation took place after Duncan was killed and his body was discovered. Ross and the old man discuss how strange, unnatural, and disorderly things have been happening recently.
This points to the idea of the Great Chain of Being, and how changes in the "proper" chain will cause chaos in nature.
What word is Macbeth unable to say just after killing King Duncan? (Act 2, Scene 2)
"Amen"