Act 1
What are the three prophecies that Macbeth receives at the beginning of the play?
1. Thane of Glamis
2. Thane of Cawdor
3. King
Macbeth hallucinates in Act 2 as he nears King Duncan's room. What does Macbeth think that he sees?
A dagger
Whom does Macbeth hire to kill Banquo and Fleance?
Two "murderers."
Macbeth visits the ________________ at the beginning of Act 4.
witches
Who finds King Duncan's dead body?
Macduff
This character wants to be "unsexed." What does this character mean by saying "unsex?"
Lady Macbeth wants to rid herself of perceived feminine weakness.
Who orchestrates (plans) King Duncan's murder? Explain why.
Lady Macbeth due to her strong will and tenacity--qualities that Macbeth does not hold.
How does Macbeth convince the murderers to kill Banquo?
Macbeth convinces the murderers that Banquo is responsible for their low positions in life--for their suffering.
What does Macduff plan to do?
He plans to overthrow Macbeth.
How are the witches described in the play?
weird, ugly, haggish, bearded
How does Lady Macbeth know Duncan will stay at her castle?
A messenger informs her.
Who is framed (blamed) for King Duncan's murder? Explain how.
The servants/guards. Lady Macbeth drugs their drinks from the night before, smears Duncan's blood on their bodies, and places daggers in their hands.
True or False: When the murder plot is completed, Fleance survives, but Banquo dies.
True
Macbeth visits the witches for a second time to receive answers. What are the three NEW prophecies that he receives?
1. Beware Macduff.
2. No one born from a woman will be able to harm Macbeth.
3. Macbeth will be safe until Birnam Wood meets at Dunsinane Hill.
After they find out their father has been murdered, where do Malcolm and Donalbain go?
Malcolm escapes to England while Donalbain goes to Ireland.
True or false: Lady Macbeth doesn't think Macbeth has what it takes to kill Duncan.
True
What is the real reason why Malcolm and Donalbain run from the castle?
They are afraid that they are next in line to be murdered.
Why does Macbeth see Banquo's ghost at the banquet?
Macbeth's guilt is manifesting, and he is mentally unraveling because of his deeds.
Why is Lady Macduff upset with her husband?
He left his family to go to England, leaving them unprotected and unaware.
Explain the meaning of the following quotation: "Fair is foul, and foul is fair."
Things are not as they appear--what seems good is bad and what seems bad is good.
What is Lady Macbeth's plan to ensure that Duncan dies while Macbeth and Lady Macbeth remain innocent?
She will "drug" the guards with wine, smear their faces with Duncan's blood, and place the daggers in their hands.
The "dagger" passage is considered a soliloquy. Define soliloquy.
A person is alone on stage while offering his/her thoughts to the audience.
Near the end of the act, we learn that Hecate is angry with the witches. Explain why.
They interacted with Macbeth without her knowledge or permission, helping a man who "is only interested in himself."
How does Malcolm prove that Macduff is loyal to Scotland's health and not to Macbeth?
Malcolm calls himself greedy, lustful, and unfit as the next king. Instead of continuing to support Malcolm, Macduff agrees that Malcolm should not become king.
Near the end of Act 4, Scene 1, Macbeth sees a parade of ghostly kings, and Banquo brings up the rear. Explain why Macbeth was made to see these apparitions (ghosts).
Macbeth has been reassured by his new prophecies, but one of the old prophecies still lingers, endangering his entire plan.