Act 1
In the play Macbeth, who are the 2 characters that meet the witches and what prophecies do the witches make?
Banquo and Macbeth: Macbeth will be Thane of Glamis, Thane of Cawdor, and King; Banquo will not be king but his descendants will.
At the beginning of Act II, Banquo is outside with his son, and they are joined by Macbeth. What is Banquo's son's name, and what does Banquo tell Macbeth he has dreamed about?
Banquo's son is Fleance. Banquo has dreamed of the three witches.
At the beginning of Act 3, Banquo plans to go for a horseback ride with whom?
His son Fleance.
Macbeth demands the witches tell him more about his future. What are the first 2 apparitions (spirits) he sees and what do they mean?
1st apparition: head with a helmet; meaning: Beware of Macduff
2nd apparition: bloody child; meaning: No man born of a woman will harm Macbeth
At the beginning of Act 5, Lady Macbeth's nurse tells the doctor several strange things her mistress is doing. Name two of the odd behaviors and what diagnosis the doctor makes.
The odd behaviors are sleepwalking and mimicking washing her hands. The doctor feels she has an "infected" mind and cannot be healed by a physician.
What are the names of King Duncan's sons and which one does Duncan announce will be his successor?
Duncan's sons are Malcolm and Donalbain. Duncan announces Malcolm will be next on the throne.
Why doesn't Lady Macbeth kill Duncan herself?
She says Duncan looks like her father.
As Act 3 begins, of whom does Macbeth say, "There is none but he, whose being do I fear," and what action does he take?
Macbeth is talking about Banquo and he then asks 2 murderers to kill Banquo and Fleance.
What are the 3rd and 4th apparitions?
3rd apparition: a crowned child with a tree in his hand; meaning: Macbeth shall not be beaten until Birnam Wood marches to Dunsinane
4th apparition: a line of 8 child kings and then Banquo; meaning: Banquo's descendants will rule for many generations
As Macbeth waits in the castle in Dunsinane, he receives bad news from Seyton. What is the news he brings?
Lady Macbeth is dead.
Why does Duncan travel to Macbeth's castle and what gift does he bring to Lady Macbeth?
Duncan travels to Macbeth's castle to celebrate the battle victory and Macbeth's promotion. He gives Lady Macbeth a diamond.
After Macbeth kills Duncan he returns to his wife. What was he not able to say and what does he tell her he has also killed?
He was not able to say "Amen" when the guards were praying, and he says he has also killed "sleep."
What happens when Macbeth's hired men attempt to carry out his plan?
They kill Banquo but Fleance escapes.
When Macbeth learns that Macduff has gone to England to meet with Malcolm, he decides to no longer think before he acts. What does he decide to do?
Macbeth has Lady Macduff and her son killed.
Explain how the witches' warning about Birnam Wood marching to Dusinane did in fact come true.
Malcolm had his soldiers who were gathered in Birnam Wood cut branches from the trees and carry them to camouflage their numbers.
During Act I, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth plot to kill Duncan. Who is more driven to do the deed and who needs convincing?
Lady Macbeth is clearly most driven and Macbeth needs convincing.
Who arrives at Macbeth's house to awaken King Duncan and who is he in conversation with that provides some comic relief?
Macduff arrives to awaken the king and he talks to the Porter who makes jokes about all he had to drink.
As Macbeth attempts to dine with his close friends, what unexpected event happens that Lady Macbeth must try to explain?
Macbeth sees the ghost of Banquo.
In England, why does Malcolm give Macduff false information about himself and claim his greed would make him a bad king?
Malcolm feels he needs to test Macduff's loyalty to him and not Macbeth.
How did Macduff explain to Macbeth that he was the "man not born of a woman"?
Macduff's birth was not a natural birth, but a cesarean birth.
What is the plan that Macbeth and Lady Macbeth devise to get rid of Duncan?
Lady Macbeth will get the guards drunk so they won't hear the noise. They will both take care of Duncan using the guards' daggers, then return them to make the guards look guilty.
When Duncan's sons find out he has been murdered they fear for their safety. Where does each go?
Malcom goes to England and Donalbain goes to Ireland.
At the end of Act 3, Lennox speaks with another lord about where Macduff has now gone. What does he tell him?
The Lord tells Lennox that Macduff has gone to England to try to convince Malcolm to return with an army.
Ross travels to England in search of Macduff. Ross has a painful message for him ; Malcolm has an inspirational one. What does each have to say?
Ross tells Macduff his family has been killed by Macduff.
Malcolm tells Macduff to take his grief and turn it into anger on the battlefield.
How do we know Macbeth is dead and who becomes King of Scotland then?
Macduff comes in with Macbeth's head. Malcolm (son of Duncan) inherits the throne.