Plot Points
In Act 1, Scene 3, what do witches predict will happen to Macbeth and Banquo?
Macbeth will be king while Banquo’s descendants will be kings.
What is dialogue?
Talking or a talk between two or more people
Who becomes the new king of Scotland at the end of the play and what does he want to restore?
Malcolm; order.
This strong desire for power or achievement can be a driving force, but also a dangerous flaw. What is it?
Ambition
"Fair is foul, and foul is fair." - Who says this?
The Witches
What is Lady Macbeth doing when she sleepwalks, revealing the depth of her guilt?
Reenacting the murder of Duncan and trying to wash imaginary blood from her hands
It's more than just the most exciting part; it's the turning point where the protagonist's fate is often sealed. What is it?
The Climax
When Macbeth sees Banquo’s ghost at the banquet, we can infer that Macbeth feels...
Paranoid and guilty for having his friend murdered.
What is the consequence of Macbeth ignoring the witches' warning about Macduff?
Macduff kills Macbeth
“Will all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood / Clean from my hand?” What does the blood symbolize?
Guilt
What is ONE of THREE prophecies given to Macbeth in Act 4, Scene 1?
Macbeth should be cautious of Macduff.
Macbeth will not be defeated until the forest comes to his castle.
This type of character's downfall is often the result of a combination of fate and their own free will. What kind of hero is this?
Tragic Hero
This character's actions and motivations directly conflict with Macbeth's goals. Who is it?
Macduff
How does the play Macbeth suggest that ignoring warnings can lead to further acts of betrayal?
Macbeth's initial act of ignoring his conscience sets him on a path of further violence and betrayal.
“If thou couldst, doctor, cast / The water of my land, find her disease, / And purge it to a sound and pristine health.” - What is Macbeth asking the doctor in Scene 3, Act 5 and why is it ironic?
To cure Scotland of its troubles when Macbeth is the cause of all the country’s troubles.
What three titles do the witches predict for Macbeth, setting the stage for the play's central conflict?
Thane of Glamis, Thane of Cawdor, King Hereafter
Imagine a character alone on stage, talking to themselves at length. What is this dramatic technique called?
Soliloquy
Who is a character who serves as a foil to Macbeth, whose loyalty and integrity stand in stark contrast to Macbeth's treachery?
Banquo
How do the witches' prophecies connect the themes of warnings and ambition?
The prophecies ignite Macbeth's ambition but also serve as a warning about the potential dangers of pursuing it.
In scene 5, Hecate says, “This night I’ll spend / Unto a dismal and a fatal end.” What do these lines foreshadow?
Macbeth’s death
What prophecy does Macduff reveal that makes Macbeth realize he is doomed, sealing his fate?
Macduff was not "of woman born," having been delivered by Caesarean section
What are the 5 parts of narrative structure (plot diagram)?
Exposition, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, Resolution
How does Lady Macbeth's mental state change throughout the play?
She goes from being strong and ruthless to being plagued by guilt and madness
How does Macbeth's growing paranoia contribute to his acts of betrayal?
He distrusts everyone, leading him to betray even those who were once loyal.
"Is this a dagger which I see before me, / The handle toward my hand?" Who says this, and what is happening in the scene?
Macbeth; he is hallucinating before killing Duncan.