Characters
This character is the protagonist of the play, known for his ambition and tragic flaw.
Who is Macbeth?
This character is prophesied to become king of Scotland, leading to Macbeth's ambitious plot to seize the throne.
Who is Macbeth?
This literary device involves the use of contradictory terms in close proximity.
What is oxymoron? (Example from the play: "Fair is foul, and foul is fair.")
This quote is spoken by Lady Macbeth as she encourages Macbeth to commit murder to achieve his ambitions.
What is "Look like the innocent flower, but be the serpent under't"?
This historical figure was the reigning monarch of England during the time when Shakespeare wrote Macbeth.
Who is King James I?
This character is Macbeth's ambitious wife, who plays a significant role in influencing his actions.
Who is Lady Macbeth?
This event serves as the catalyst for Macbeth's murderous ambition, as he encounters three witches who make prophecies about his future.
What is meeting the witches?
This literary device involves the repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words.
What is alliteration?
This quote is spoken by Macbeth after he hears of his wife's death, expressing his nihilistic view of life.
What is "Out, out, brief candle!"?
This is the setting of the play, which is known for its dark and ominous atmosphere.
What is Scotland?
This character is the king of Scotland at the beginning of the play, whose murder sets off a chain of events.
Who is King Duncan?
This is the title given to Macbeth by King Duncan for his bravery in battle against the rebels.
What is Thane of Cawdor?
This literary device involves giving human qualities to non-human entities.
What is personification? (Example from the play: "Stars, hide your fires, Let not light see my black and deep desires.")
This quote is spoken by Lady Macbeth as she tries to wash imaginary bloodstains from her hands.
What is "Out, damned spot!"?
This historical event occurred in 1603, marking the union of the crowns of England and Scotland under King James VI of Scotland (later King James I of England).
What is the Union of the Crowns?
This character is Banquo's son, whose survival poses a threat to Macbeth's throne.
Who is Fleance?
This character is killed by Macbeth to prevent him from fathering a line of kings, as prophesied by the witches.
Who is Banquo?
This literary device involves the use of a word or phrase to represent something closely associated with it.
What is metonymy? (Example from the play: "The crown does sear mine eyeballs.")
This quote is spoken by Macbeth upon hearing of his wife's death, expressing his despair and the meaninglessness of life.
What is "Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow"?
This is the castle where Duncan is murdered by Macbeth, setting off the chain of events in the play.
What is Inverness Castle?
This character is a nobleman who suspects Macbeth's involvement in King Duncan's murder and flees to England to join Malcolm.
Who is Macduff?
This event marks the beginning of Macbeth's downfall, as he sees Banquo's ghost during a banquet.
What is the Banquet scene?
This literary device involves the use of an implied comparison between two unlike things using "like" or "as."
What is simile?
This quote is spoken by the witches in Act 1, foreshadowing their role in Macbeth's downfall.
What is "Fair is foul, and foul is fair"?
This is the name of the forest that moves towards Macbeth's castle, fulfilling one of the witches' prophecies.
What is Birnam Wood?