Major Plot Events
The witches give Macbeth these three prophecies.
What are:
Thane of Glamis
Thane of Cawdor
King
“Bring forth men-children only;/ For thy undaunted mettle should compose/ Nothing but males.” (Act 1, Scene 7)
Who says this, when does he say this, and what does this mean?
Who is Macbeth? He says this to Lady Macbeth after she persuades him to kill Duncan. He's suggesting that Lady Macbeth should only ever have sons due to her ruthless nature (stereotypical gender norms of the time).
The reigning King in Act 1
Who is Duncan?
Due to superstition surrounding the title of the play, Macbeth is often referred to as *this* instead.
What is "the Scottish play"?
The setting of Macbeth
What is Scotland?
Explain Macbeth and Lady Macbeth's plan to murder the King
What is getting the chamberlains drunk, stabbing him, then framing the chamberlains?
“Will all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood/ Clean from my hand?” (Act 2, Scene 2)
Who says this, what is the context, and what is one literary device that is being used?
What is Macbeth? He is looking at his bloody hands after murdering Duncan. Allusion (Neptune) and hyperbole (an exaggeration) are being used here.
This character is seeking England's help to take Scotland back from Macbeth
Who is Macduff?
Shakespeare's plays were performed here.
What is the Globe Theatre?
A line spoken by a character that presents their inner thoughts but isn't heard by everyone on stage
What is an aside?
Malcolm describes Cawdor's last moments before execution. What is Duncan's reply?
What is you can't tell what is in a person's heart by looking at their face?
Macduff says, "Oh, gentle lady!/ 'Tis not for you to hear what I can speak;/ The repetition in a woman's ear/ Would murder as it fell." (Act 2, Scene 3)
Explain the context of the quote + name a literary device that is used in this quote.
What is speaking to Lady Macbeth after the discovery of Duncan's body? Literary devices include dramatic irony (b/c we know that Lady Macbeth is actually behind the murder), personification (repetition murdering), and hyperbole (an exaggeration).
King Duncan's two sons
Who are Malcolm and Donalbain?
Macbeth is a combination of both these kinds of Shakespearean plays
What are tragedy and history?
"Yet do I fear thy nature; / It is too full o' the milk of human kindness." (Act 1, Scene 5)
Who says this, and what is the context and meaning of this quote?
Who is Lady Macbeth? She says this after reading Macbeth's letter to her about his encounter with the witches. She's suggesting that Macbeth is too kind and is incapable of doing the dirty work of killing Duncan to become King.
Why does Macbeth freak out at the banquet, and what excuse is given to cover up for his erratic behaviour?
What is sees Banquo's ghost + illness (infirmity/fits)?
“The worm that's fled/ Hath nature that in time will venom breed,/ No teeth for the present.” (Act 3, Scene 4)
Who says this, which character are they referring to, and what is the meaning of this quote?
Who is:
Macbeth
Referring to Fleance
Fleance may eventually cause issues, but is not a threat right now
Character who sarcastically says that Banquo was killed by Fleance & calls Macbeth a tyrant
Who is Lennox?
Shakespearean tragedies include *this element*, which can be defined as a purging of tension and emotion
What is catharsis/katharsis?
Term for a long speech given by a character alone on stage
What is a Soliloquy?
As he freaks out over Banquo's ghost, Macbeth names some creatures that he would prefer the ghost take the form of (i.e. anything but Banquo!). Name two of the creatures that Macbeth mentions.
What are "rugged Russian bear", "arm'd rhinoceros", and/or "Hyrcan tiger"?
“Rather than so, come fate into the list,/ And champion me to the utterance!” (Act 3, Scene 1)
Who says this, and what is the context/meaning of this quote?
What is Macbeth? He is refusing the prophecy of Banquo's sons becoming kings, and is saying that he will fight fate and come out victorous.
Name three noblemen of Scotland who have appeared so far (Hint: Macbeth and Banquo do not count)
Who are Macduff, Lennox, Ross, and Angus?
The monarch whom Macbeth was first performed for
Who is King James I?
“We have scotch’d the snake, not kill’d it” (Act 3, Scene 2)
Who says this? Explain the significance of this line and what it reveals about the speaker’s state of mind.
Who is Macbeth? He is unsatisfied even though he has successfully taken the throne. His ambition is still pushing him to do more, and he still perceives threats to their power (i.e. Banquo).