Act 1
Act 1, Scene 3
What, according to the witches, is the fate of Banquo, Macbeth’s fellow commander?
The witches say that Banquo will be the father of kings.
Act 2, Scene 4:
At the end of the scene, where is Macbeth? Why is he there?
Macbeth is in a city called Scone. He’s there to be crowned as the new king of Scotland
Act 3, Scene 3:
How many men does it take to kill Banquo?
There are three murderers
The oldest son of King Duncan
Who is Malcolm?
"Fair is foul, and foul is fair / Hover through the fog and filthy air"
Who are the Weird Sisters
Act 1, Scene 5
When Lady Macbeth reads the letter from her husband that tells about the Weïrd Sisters’ prediction, what is her reaction?
She immediately believes the prophecy and begins thinking of ways she can assist her husband in having the strength to do what needs to be done to make the prophecy come true ... murder!
Act 2, Scene 2
What mistake did Macbeth make when he left the scene of the crime?
He took the guards’ daggers with him. He was supposed to leave them with the passed-out guards who were to be smeared with Duncan’s blood.
Act 3, Scene 1:
Why does Macbeth decide to have Banquo killed?
Macbeth is upset that, according to the Weïrd Sisters’ prediction, Banquo’s sons will be the ones who ultimately benefit from Macbeth’s murderous actions rather than Macbeth’s own family. He knows that Banquo is smart and cautious. He decides Banquo knows too much.
The goddess of witchcraft, helps the three witches work their mischief on Macbeth.
Who is Hecate?
"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"
Who is Macbeth
Act 1, Scene 5
Explain the double-meaning in Lady Macbeth’s line: “He that’s coming / Must be provided for, and you shall put / This night’s great business into my dispatch...
She’s saying that Duncan needs to be taken care of. They’ll need to take care of him by feeding and entertaining him. They’ll also “take care” of him by murdering him tonight.
She also says that Macbeth should leave all the work to her. She’ll handle everything
Act 2, Scene 1:
Lady Macbeth drugged the guards’ drinks and took their daggers, leaving them where Macbeth would find them. What’s the only thing that prevented her from then killing Duncan herself?
She says Duncan resembled her own father as he slept and she didn’t have the heart to kill him.
Act 3, Scene 5
What is Hecate’s opinion of Macbeth? Will she help him?
She says he is spiteful, wrathful, and cares only for himself. She is not a fan. No, she will not help him; instead, she’ll spin an illusion that will confuse him and make him think he’s greater than fate.
This nobleman is with Macbeth when Macbeth kills the two guards after Duncan's murder.
Who is Lennox?
"Where we are, there's daggers in men's smiles. The near in blood, the nearer bloody."
Who is Donalbain
Act 1, Scene 6
Describe in detail Lady Macbeth’s plan about how to kill Duncan.
When Duncan falls asleep, she will visit his two guards and give them plenty of wine to get them drunk. When they pass out, she and Macbeth will take the guard’s daggers and use those weapons to kill the king. Then, they’ll place the bloody daggers back on the sleeping guards, who will appear to have murdered Duncan in a drunken state. When everyone awakens, the Macbeths will grieve and cry with everyone else so as to avoid suspicion.
Act 2, Scene 3
What do Malcolm and Donalbain, the king’s sons, decide to do? Why?
They decide to flee. Malcolm will go to England and Donalbain will go to Ireland. They are worried that they will be targeted by the same person/people who murdered their father. They can properly grieve their father’s death only when they know they are safe and it’s safer for both of them if they are not in the same place.
Act 3, Scene 4:
What does Lady Macbeth say to the dinner guests to try and explain away her husband’s strange behavior?
First, she tells everyone that Macbeth has strange fits like this sometimes and it’s not a big deal. He’s had this mild condition since he was a child. When Macbeth’s fits continue and ruin the evening, she says he’s getting worse and she dismisses the dinner party guests.
This nobleman is hostile to Macbeth's kingship and becomes Macbeth's adversary.
Who is Macduff?
“Naught’s had, all’s spent / Where our desire is got without content.”
Who is Lady Macbeth
Act 1, Scene 6:
As King Duncan and his entourage arrive, what two natural elements do they notice as they stand at Macbeth’s front door? What meaning do they seem to assign to these natural signs?
They comment on the sweet air that’s pleasing and the fact that a bird has chosen to build its nest there. They seem to take those elements as a sign that the Macbeth household is welcoming and blessed.
Act 2, Scene 4:
In the wake of Duncan’s death, the natural world seems to be in revolt. Explain three odd, unnatural things that have recently happened, as described by Ross, one of Scotland’s nobles, and the Old Man
It’s the middle of the day, but the sun is not shining; the world is dark.
Last Tuesday, the Old Man saw an owl that usually just eats mice stalk and kills a falcon.
Ross reports that Duncan’s horses broke out of their stalls as though they wanted to make war against humanity; these same horses ended up eating each other.
Act 3, Scene 6:
Macduff, the Scottish noble who went home to Fife after the discovery of Duncan’s murder, is now traveling again. Where is Macduff headed now? Why?
The unnamed lord in his scene reports that Macduff is headed to England where Malcolm, one of King Duncan’s sons is staying with the English royal family. Macduff is going there to request that King Edward of England work with Macduff and Malcolm to rally allies to declare war against Macbeth and reclaim Scotland for Duncan’s family
The name of Banquo's son.
Who is Fleance?
"And when we have our naked frailties hid, That suffer in exposure, let us meet And question this most bloody piece of work, To know it further. Fears and scruples shake us"
Who is Banquo