Lady Macbeth
How does Lady Macbeth help kill Duncan?
She gets the guards drunk and plants the daggers witth blood on them.
What title is given to Macbeth at the beginning of the play for bravery in battle?
Thane of Cawdor
How do the witches greet Macbeth after battle?
They greet him as Thane of Glamis, Thane of Cawdor, and as the future King.
Who are Duncan's sons?
Malcolm and Donalbain
Where does Macbeth take place?
Scotland
Why does Lady Macbeth say she can't kill King Duncan?
He looks like her father
What does Macbeth do to the supposed murderers (chamberlains) of King Duncan and why?
He kills them, saying he was so furious he couldn't stop himself.
Who is the leader of the Witches?
Hecate
Who kills Macbeth?
Macduff
Who is the author of Macbeth?
What is the meaning behind Lady Macbeth fainting when learning of King Duncan's death? Why is this ironic?
It gives the people the sense that she is completely shocked that the King has been murdered. It is ironic because she planned the entire thing.
Why does the King come to Macbeth's castle?
To be his guest and to congratulate Macbeth over becoming the Thane of Cawdor
What are the witches doing at the beginning of Act 4?
They are brewing a potion and waiting for Macbeth
Who does Macbeth have killed because he thinks they know that he killed King Duncan?
Banquo
What type of play is Macbeth?
A tragedy
Why does Lady Macbeth want Macbeth to kill King Duncan after hearing of the prophecy from the Witches?
Greed, Ambition, and Power
What happens that causes Macbeth to question the Witches prophecy about him becoming king?
King Duncan names Malcolm as his heir.
How is the prophesy of Birnam Wood moving to Dusinane Hill fulfilled?
Each man in the English force cuts down a bough/branch to provide cover so that the size of the army is not known.
Who is Banquo's son that flees from death?
Fleance
What is one symbol seen throughout Macbeth? Briefly describe what it means/represents.
Blood:
Represents the violence, death, and staining guilt within the play
Supernatural/Unnatural Events:
King Duncan's murder, his horses eating each other, the storm, etc.
Represents the chaos and violation of the natural order of things
Apparition(s)/Visions/Hallucinations:
Represent internal conflict and are often representations of the temptation of ambition
Sleep/Sleeplessness:
Represents peace and innocence and by killing Duncan (& others) the Macbeths killed their own peace of mind, resulting in paranoia and the lack of peaceful sleep
Compare and contrast Lady Macbeth's initial reaction to King Duncan's death to her reaction to it at the end of the play.
Initial Reaction: She is seemingly unbothered by the whole thing, telling Macbeth that they will be absolved of the crime by simply washing their hands.
Later Reaction: "Out, damned spot, out, I say!"
She is later consumed by guilt over her and Macbeth's actions, sleepwalking and washing her hands over and over again.
Why is Macbeth so fearless when faced with the English forces and rebellion?
He thinks he is invincible because of the Witches prophecy - He cannot be killed by a man born of woman
What apparitions do the Witches show Macbeth in Act 4 and what do they symbolize?
A head wearing a helmet: symbolizes that Macbeth should be weary of Macduff, the Thane of Fife
The bloody child: symbolizes that no person of woman born can kill him.
A crowned child holding a tree: symbolizes that he will never be defeated until Birnam Wood moves towards Dunsinane.
The eight kings that look like Banquo: symbolize that Banquo's descendants will eventually rule Scotland, not Macbeth
How many people are murdered by or because of Macbeth? Name them all.
7: Duncan, (Two) Chamberlains, Banquo, Lady Macduff, Lady Macduff's Son, and Young Siward
What is one theme seen throughout Macbeth? Briefly describe what it means.
Ambition/Greed/Corruption
Free Will/Fate