Vocab
Fret
A. To relax calmly
B. To worry or be anxious
C. To celebrate loudly
D. To forget something
B. To worry or be anxious
Condemn
A. Praise them
B. Ignore them
C. Strongly disapprove of or criticize them
D. Help them succeed
C. Strongly disapprove of or criticize them
What is the significance of the witches in the play’s opening scene? How do they set the tone for the play?
In the opening scene, the witches set a tone of darkness and supernatural influence. When they say, “Fair is foul, and foul is fair,” (scene 1, line 12) it suggests that the boundaries between good and evil are blurred in this world. This sets the stage for Macbeth’s moral decline. The witches represent the forces of fate and chaos. In this scene they hit that they will manipulate events in the play, especially through their influence on Macbeth.
What is the significance of Macbeth’s hesitation in scene 7? How does it contribute to his character development?
Macbeth’s hesitation in scene 7 reveals his internal conflict and moral awareness. It shows that he is not a cold-blooded murderer but is struggling between his ambition/desire for power and his conscience. This moment of hesitation contributes to his character developing by showing that he is aware of the consequences of his actions. It also sets the stage for his eventual downfall, because it suggests that he is not fully in control of his fate and may be swayed by others—especially Lady Macbeth—to act against his morals and better judgment.
How does the motif of “unnatural” appear throughout Act 2?
First, it is unnatural for Macbeth to kill Duncan. Arguably murder itself goes against nature, but Macbeth violates social norms with this act as well since Duncan is his king as well as a guest in his home. In scene 3, Lennox describes to Macbeth how the natural world began to react to Duncan’s death before anyone even knew what had happened, explaining how he could not remember a night ever quite like it.
Boast
A. To complain quietly
B. To help someone
C. To talk with pride about something, brag
D. To ask for advice
C. To talk with pride about something, brag
Endure
A. To avoid it
B. To stop it quickly
C. To give up immediately
D. To continue through something difficult
D. To continue through something difficult
How does Lady Macbeth take the news of the witches’ prophecies scene 5?
After Lady Macbeth reads the letter containing news of the prophesies from the witches, she resolves to persuade Macbeth to seize the throne by murdering King Duncan. She calls on spirits to make her ruthless and cruel and block all feelings of guilt, doubt, or regret that might make her change her mind or her desire for power.
Why do people suspect Malcolm and Donalbain of being involved in Duncan’s murder?
The characters seem to believe that the guards actually committed the murder, especially since Macbeth killed them because of it. However, because Malcolm and Donalbain leave the country (Malcolm to England and Donalbain to Ireland), they begin to believe that the brothers bribed the guards to kill their father.
How does the first of Macbeth’s new prophecies come true?
Malcolm and the other thanes and soldiers gather in Birnam Wood. To disguise how many of them there are, they decide to each hack off a branch from the trees to hold up as they march to Dunsinane. Thus, the prophecy that Birnam Wood will march on Dunsinane begins to come true.
Virtuous
A. Lazy and careless
B. Honest and morally good
C. Loud and confident
D. Rich and powerful
B. Honest and morally good
Vulnerable
A. Completely safe
B. Stronger than everyone else
C. Open to being hurt or harmed
D. In charge of others
C. Open to being hurt or harmed
What plan does Lady Macbeth devise to murder King Duncan in scene 7?
Lady Macbeth plans to have Macbeth wait until Duncan is asleep and then using the guards’ daggers to kill him. She suggests that they give the guards a lot of wine so that they will be too drunk to protect Duncan or remember anything. After Macbeth kills Duncan, he and Lady Macbeth will then frame the guards for the murder.
What do we learn about Macduff in scene 6 and why is it significant?
The Lord explains that Macduff has gone to England to ask King Edward for help and warriors to bring back to defeat Macbeth and restore Scotland to a place where people can put food on their tables, sleep soundly, and enjoy feasts and banquets without the fear of someone being murdered.
What is the significance of the final meeting between Macbeth and Macduff?
By the end of Act 5, Macbeth feels increasingly desperate and cornered as the prophecies come to fruition. He initially believes he is invincible because of the witches' words, but as he faces the reality of his situation, he begins to realize that the prophecies were misleading, leading to his inevitable downfall. Macduff explains to Macbeth that he was not born of a woman but instead was born C-section before he could be birthed naturally. Realizing this, Macbeth does not want to fight Macduff, so Macduff suggests surrendering instead.
Motive
A. A rule you must follow
B. A feeling of happiness
C. A reason for doing something
D. A mistake you make
C. A reason for doing something
Valor
A. Fear or worry
B. Bravery or courage
C. Anger or frustration
D. Intelligence
B. Bravery or courage
Before murdering Duncan, Macbeth has a vision/hallucination. What does he see and why is it significant?
Macbeth sees a floating dagger leading him toward the room where Duncan is sleeping. The dagger is similar to the one he is planning to use to murder Duncan with.
How does Macduff react when he learns what has happened to his family?
Macduff is devastated by the news and blames himself for not being there to protect his family.
Birds are often used to suggest what is about to happen. For example, the raven is connected with death and darkness, and its appearance before King Duncan’s arrival foreshadows his murder. Night birds, such as owls, are linked to unnatural events and signal that something terrible is about to occur. When these birds are mentioned, they create an uneasy mood and warn the audience that evil actions are approaching.
Dignity
A. Feeling embarrassed
B. Respect
C. Being afraid
D. Acting silly
B. Respect
Interpret
A. To copy it exactly
B. To ignore it
C. To explain or understand the meaning
D. To argue about it
C. To explain or understand the meaning
What do the witches show Macbeth in scene 1 and how does he respond?
The witches first show Macbeth three apparitions. The first apparition is a floating head with a helmet. The apparition says in lines 78 and 79, “Macbeth! Macbeth! Macbeth! Beware Macduff. Beware the thane of Fife. Dismiss me. Enough.” Macbeths tells them that this is exactly what he fears. The second apparition that appears is in the form of a bloody child. The second apparition says in lines 86–88, “Be bloody, bold, and resolute. Laugh to scorn The power of man, for none of woman born Shall harm Macbeth.” After the message from this apparition, he begins to have more courage because he doesn’t believe that there is any man not born of a woman. The fear he had after seeing the first apparition lessens. The third apparition appears in the form of a child wearing a crown and holding a tree in his hand.
What happens to Young Siward when he battles against Macbeth?
Macbeth kills Young Siward quickly. Although Macbeth has become frightened by the fact that one of the prophesies has come true (Birnam Wood has marched to Dunsinane), he still has confidence because he knows that no man born of a woman can kill him and he believes that all men are born of a woman.
How does Shakespeare develop the theme of ambition throughout Macbeth, and how does it affect Macbeth’s choices?
At the beginning of the play, Macbeth is brave and loyal, but after hearing the witches’ prophecies, his ambition is awakened. He begins to imagine becoming king, even though it would require committing evil acts. Influenced by Lady Macbeth, his ambition pushes him to murder King Duncan. After gaining power, Macbeth’s ambition continues to grow, causing him to commit more violent acts to protect his throne.