Multiple Choice (Macbeth)

Macbeth study guide (from unit test)

Antidote

Medicine or other remedy for counteracting the effects of poison

Nonpareil

A person or thing that has no equal

Diminutive

Small, little, tiny

Vile

Highly offensive; repulsive

Harbinger

A person sent in advance to announce another’s arrival

Hoodwink

To deceive or trick

Macbeth was a ____ when he began murdering innocent people in order to further his own ambition.

Tyrant

Macbeth became a ____ when he murdered Duncan, stealing his throne and power from him.

Usurper

Claiming that Macbeth is a power-hungry individual is a ____, based on his behavior throughout the play.

Verity

Lady Macbeth was the more ____ of the Macbeth’s in their effort to take down Duncan and gain power.

Predominant

Macbeth’s greatest _____ in regard to him gaining power was his uncontrollable greed.

Impediment

It could be considered an _____ when the witches tell Macbeth that he cannot be defeated until the Birnam Wood moves, because this statement can have more than one meaning.

Equivocation

King Duncan decide to make Macbeth the new Thane of Cawdor because…

Macbeth fought heroically for him

After reading the letter from her husband, Lady Macbeth calls upon the spirits to, “Make thick my blood,/ Stop up th’ access and passage to remorse.” She is asking…

To be made insensitive to the cruelty she is planning

In the play’s first act, Duncan’s attitude toward Macbeth is best described as…

Respectful and kind

What is Macbeth’s tragic flaw?

His lust for power

Toward the beginning of Act 2, Macbeth lies to Banquo about the witches’ predictions, claiming…

That he doesn’t think about them at all

The dagger that Macbeth sees during his scene one soliloquy…

Is part of a hallucination

Which of the following does Macbeth believe of the guards who were outside Duncan’s chamber?

One of them laughed in their sleep and one of them cried out murder in their sleep

As soon as the murder becomes known, Malcolm and Donalbain flee Scotland because4 they…

Fear for their lives

The natural disturbances that continue all night - including the murderous owl and Duncan’s horses turning wild - symbolize…

The evil of Macbeth’s deeds

The “barren scepter” Macbeth refers to is a symbol implying that he…

Will have no heirs to the throne

Why does Macbeth want Banquo dead?

The witches promised that Banquo would father kings

In the extended banquet scene, Macbeth chastises Banquo for being absent. What makes that speech ironic?

Banquo is present in the form of a ghost

When Macbeth begins talking to Banquo’s ghost, Lady Macbeth reacts by…

Telling the other that Macbeth has an illness

Who murders Lady Macduff and her children?

Macbeth’s hired assassins

When Macduff learns of the news of his wife’s death, he becomes…

Determined to unseat Macbeth

The Apparitions show to Macbeth by the witches serve to create which of the following in Macbeth’s character?

Overconfidence

The “damned spot” to which Lady Macbeth refers is…

Duncan’s bloodstain

Macbeth tries to reassure himself that Malcolm and Macduff are not a threat to him because they…

Are both “born of woman”

Macbeth’s reaction to his wife’s death shows that he…

Thinks life is a meaningless path to death

Macbeth finally realizes that the witches and apparitions…

Deceived him with ambiguous messages

As he prepares for his final battle, Macbeth expresses his disappointment that old age will not bring him…

Love, honor, and friendship

Banquo

Accompanies Macbeth in his encounter with the witches

Donalbain

Duncan’s youngest son

Ross

Scottish nobleman; warns Lady Macduff of danger

Macbeth

Tragic hero

Macduff

Plans to avenge the deaths of his family members

Duncan

Original King of Scotland

Three Witches

Enjoy manipulating people’s fate; Plot mischief against Macbeth

Malcolm

Gathers an army to attack Macbeth and take back his throne

Fleance

Son of Banquo

Lady Macbeth

Plots murders, but goes crazy from the guilt