Act I
What theme is established through the witches’ prophecy in Act 1 Scene 1?
Fate v Free Will
How does the setting in Act 2, scene 1 create a sense of foreboding?
The setting is dark, late, and Banquo is having trouble sleeping.
Who does Macbeth fear may be a threat to his throne because of the witches' prophecy?
Who is Banquo?
What is the setting at the beginning of Act IV?
What is the witches' cave or a dark cavern?
What is Lady Macbeth doing when she sleepwalks?
What is rubbing her hands as if to wash them and talking about Duncan’s murder?
What does the following quote convey to the reader about Macbeth's traits?
"But all's too weak; for brave Macbeth (well he deserves that name), Disdaining Fortune, with his brandished steel, . . ." (Act 1 Scene ii Lines 17-20)
He is brave
Why did King Duncan's sons choose to leave the castle after the murder?
Duncan’s sons believe that their father’s murderer might come after them, so they both flee to different places.
What reason does Macbeth give the murderers for why they should kill Banquo?
What is that Banquo is their enemy and the cause of their misfortunes?
What is the first apparition, and what does it tell Macbeth?
What is a floating head that tells Macbeth to beware Macduff?
What do the doctor and gentlewoman decide to do about Lady Macbeth's sleepwalking?
What is they choose to watch her but not confront her, and the doctor says she needs spiritual, not physical, help?
How is dramatic irony evident during Lady Macbeth's meeting with King Duncan?
The audience/reader knows she is planning to kill him, yet she is being kind to him when speaking to him.
What is the author foreshadowing when Macbeth hears, “Macbeth does murder sleep,” after he kills the king?
Shakespeare is foreshadowing the insomnia and madness he will face as a result of his guilt over killing the king.
How does Lady Macbeth react when Macbeth begins to see Banquo’s ghost at the banquet?
What is she tries to cover for him and tells the guests that he often has these fits?
What does the third apparition — a child crowned, with a tree in his hand — tell Macbeth?
What is that Macbeth will not be defeated until Birnam Wood comes to Dunsinane Hill?
How does Malcolm disguise his army’s approach to Dunsinane?
What is he orders each soldier to carry a branch from Birnam Wood to conceal their numbers?
What is the conclusion Macbeth comes to by the end of his soliloquy in Act 1 Scene VII?
Macbeth decides against killing King Duncan.
What is the purpose of the scene with the porter?
Comic relief
What does Macbeth mean when he says, “We have scorched the snake, not killed it”?
What is that their power is still insecure and their enemies are still a threat?
What vision does Macbeth see after the apparitions, and what does it symbolize?
What is a line of kings descended from Banquo, symbolizing Banquo’s heirs will rule Scotland?
How does Macbeth interpret the death of his wife?
What is he says “She should have died hereafter” and delivers the “Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow” soliloquy, showing his despair?
Which of the following inferences about Lady Macbeth is best supported by her conversation with her husband in Act 1, Scene 7?
Lady Macbeth is ruthless and cunning, and she will do whatever is necessary to make sure Macbeth becomes king.
Donalbain explains to Malcolm that they must leave because "There are daggers in men's smiles." What motif does this lend itself to?
Appearance vs Reality
What role does Hecate play in Act III, and why is she angry with the witches?
What is she is the goddess of witchcraft, and she’s angry that the witches acted without her and gave Macbeth misleading prophecies?
How does Macbeth respond to the witches’ prophecies by the end of Act IV, and what action does he take?
What is he becomes more ruthless and orders the murder of Macduff’s wife and children?
Why is Macbeth ultimately defeated in his fight with Macduff?
What is because Macduff was born by Caesarean section, so he was not "of woman born"?