SECTON 1
What is the best definition of a prophecy?
A. A story about the past
B. A prediction of what will happen in the future
C. A secret conversation between two people
D. A formal apology to a king
B. A prediction of what will happen in the future
Which character is hailed by the witches as the "future king"?
A. Banquo
B. Duncan
C. Macbeth
D. Macduff
C. Macbeth
What is an aside?
A. A long speech delivered by a character alone on stage
B. A stage direction telling an actor where to stand
C. A remark heard by the audience but unheard by other characters
D. The final line of a scene
C. A remark heard by the audience but unheard by other characters
True or False: The witches tell Banquo he will be a king himself.
A. True
B. False
B. False
In a royal context, what is a successor?
A. A person who defeats a king in battle
B. A person who inherits a title or position
C. A person who writes the laws of the land
D. A person who serves the king's meals
B. A person who inherits a title or position
What title does Macbeth already hold when he first meets the witches?
A. King of Scotland
B. Thane of Cawdor
C. Thane of Glamis
D. Prince of Cumberland
C. Thane of Glamis
In his aside, how does Macbeth describe the thought of killing Duncan?
A. As a "thrilling opportunity"
B. As a "horrible imagining"
C. As a "necessary duty"
D. As a "simple task"
B. As a "horrible imagining"
Which of these is an example of a paradox from the witches?
A. "All hail, Macbeth!"
B. "Lesser than Macbeth, and greater."
C. "Banquo shall be king."
D. "The battle is over."
B. "Lesser than Macbeth, and greater."
How does Macbeth become the Thane of Cawdor?
A. He kills the previous Thane in a duel
B. The witches cast a spell on the King
C. King Duncan grants him the title for his bravery
D. He inherits it from his father, Banquo
C. King Duncan grants him the title for his bravery
Which character’s ambition is "ignited" by the witches’ prophecies?
A. King Duncan
B. Macbeth
C. The Three Witches
D. The messengers
B. Macbeth
Why do the witches use paradoxes when speaking to Banquo?
A. To confuse him so he doesn't tell the King
B. To suggest a complex truth that seems impossible at first
C. Because they do not know the actual future
D. To prove they are more powerful than Macbeth
B. To suggest a complex truth that seems impossible at first
How does the concept of a successor complicate Macbeth’s feelings?
A. He is happy he won't have to have children
B. He realizes that even if he is king, his own line may not continue the throne
C. He is worried Banquo will kill him immediately
D. He wants to give his title to Banquo's sons right away
B. He realizes that even if he is king, his own line may not continue the throne
What does Macbeth’s "horror" at the thought of murder reveal about his ambition?
A. He has no ambition at all
B. His ambition is currently at odds with his moral conscience
C. He is a coward who cannot fight
D. He is only ambitious when his wife is watching
B. His ambition is currently at odds with his moral conscience
Why is the aside a necessary tool for Shakespeare in this scene?
A. To show that Macbeth is a loud and boastful person
B. To hide Macbeth's thoughts from the audience
C. To allow Macbeth to share his internal conflict without the other characters knowing
C. To allow Macbeth to share his internal conflict without the other characters knowing
How do the prophecies for Macbeth and Banquo differ?
A. Macbeth’s are immediate titles; Banquo’s are for his future line
B. Macbeth’s are all lies; Banquo’s are all true
C. Macbeth’s are told in secret; Banquo’s are told in public
D. Macbeth’s are bad news; Banquo’s are good news
A. Macbeth’s are immediate titles; Banquo’s are for his future line
How might Banquo be "greater" than Macbeth, despite not being King?
A. He is taller and physically stronger
B. He has a better moral character and integrity
C. He is richer than Macbeth
D. He is the one who actually won the battle
B. He has a better moral character and integrity
What makes the prophecy the "inciting incident" of the play?
A. It ends the war between Scotland and Norway
B. It is the first time we see the witches
C. It triggers Macbeth’s internal struggle and sets the plot in motion
D. It proves that the witches are the main characters
C. It triggers Macbeth’s internal struggle and sets the plot in motion
Macbeth hopes to become king "without stir" (doing nothing). What does this imply?
A. He believes the prophecy is fake
B. He prefers chance or fate to take its course over committing a crime
C. He is waiting for Duncan to retire
D. He wants Banquo to do the work for him
C. He is waiting for Duncan to retire
How does the definition of ambition shift for Macbeth in this scene?
A. From serving the King to wanting to replace the King
B. From wanting to be a soldier to wanting to be a witch
C. From loving his wife to loving the crown
D. From hating war to loving violence
B. From wanting to be a soldier to wanting to be a witch
Why is the existence of Banquo's successors a "threat" to Macbeth?
A. They are currently leading an army against him
B. It suggests Macbeth’s reign will be short or his legacy will end with him
C. They are older than Macbeth
D. The King likes Banquo's sons more than Macbeth
A. They are currently leading an army against him
Based on the text, what is the relationship between the prophecy and Macbeth's free will?
A. The prophecy forces Macbeth to kill Duncan
B. The prophecy merely tempts Macbeth, but his own ambition chooses how to act
C. The prophecy is a trick and nothing the witches say comes true
D. Macbeth has no free will and is a puppet of the witches
B. The prophecy merely tempts Macbeth, but his own ambition chooses how to act
The witches' paradoxical language most closely mirrors which major theme?
A. The importance of family
B. The deceptive nature of appearance vs. reality
C. The beauty of the Scottish highlands
D. The necessity of total honesty
B. The deceptive nature of appearance vs. reality
Without the aside, how would the audience perceive Macbeth in this scene?
A. As a villainous traitor from the very start
B. As a purely loyal and heroic soldier without any dark thoughts
C. As a confused man who doesn't understand English
D. As a character who has no importance to the story
B. As a purely loyal and heroic soldier without any dark thoughts
Compare the reactions: How does Banquo’s reaction to the prophecy differ from Macbeth’s?
A. Banquo is terrified, while Macbeth is joyful
B. Banquo is skeptical and cautious, while Macbeth is deeply fixated
C. Banquo immediately plans a murder, while Macbeth tries to ignore it
D. Banquo believes they are hallucinations, while Macbeth thinks they are gods
B. Banquo is skeptical and cautious, while Macbeth is deeply fixated
Why is the relationship between Macbeth and Banquo destined to collapse?
A. Because Banquo wants to be Thane of Cawdor
B. Because Macbeth's ambition and Banquo's status as a father of kings create a direct conflict of interest
C. Because they both love the same woman
D. Because the King has fired them both
B. Because Macbeth's ambition and Banquo's status as a father of kings create a direct conflict of interest