Macbeth (Acts 4-5)

What are the witches doing?

Making a potion.

What does Macbeth want from the witches? How would you describe his tone?

He wants to know about his future. Demanding.

What is an apparition?

A ghost or ghost-like image of a person

What does the first apparition look like? What is its warning to Macbeth?

Macduff's head with a helmet. Macbeth was preparing for war. Beware of Macduff.

What does the second apparition look like? What does it tell Macbeth?

Macduff at birth. No person can harm Macbeth.

How does Macbeth react to this apparition's words?

He knows something is wrong. He'll kill Macduff.

What does the third apparition look like? What does it tell Macbeth?

Malcolm as king holding a tree. Macbeth will never be defeated until the forest moves against him.

After this apparition, what does Macbeth think of his future?

He thinks his future will be good.

What is his final question to the witches? What is the answer?

Will Fleance ever be king? Yes. Told through 4th apparition.

What is Banquo's connection to James I?

James I was king when Macbeth was written. Honorable man who died with honor.

How does Macbeth damn himself on the bottom of page 360?

Anybody who trusts the witches should be damned. He trusts the witches.

What news does Lennox deliver to Macbeth?

Macduff fled to England.

What will Macbeth now do? Why do you think he is doing this? What would be his reason?

Kill his wife and sons. Macduff will come back to the country so Macbeth can kill him. He has to kill him in his own country.

Explain Lady Macduff's reaction to her husband's sudden departure. What bird does she mention and why?

She feels he doesn't care for them. Traitor to the family. An owl and a wren. Her husband is not like the wren.

How does Ross try to calm her?

He said he was being smart by leaving.

Why does Lady Macduff tell her son that his father is dead? Does the son agree?

He's dead to her. No. She'd be weeping over him or looking for another husband.

How does Lady Macduff define a traitor? What does she say will happen to them?

Someone that swears and lies. They'll be hanged.

What does the messenger tell Lady Macduff? What does she decide to do? What truth about life does she reveal? Why does she call it a "womanly defense" to say she's done no harm?

There's danger. She stays. She reveals that everyone has their own view on people no matter good or bad. She says just because she's a woman, doesn't mean she can't do harm.

What happens to Lady Macduff and her son? How is the son "manly" in this scene?

They're both killed. He tells his mom to run first. He insults the murderers.

Why is Malcolm cautious about Macduff's sudden appearance in England? How is Malcolm not like his father?

Macduff is trying to earn Malcolm's trust. He didn't go into the situation fully trusting Macduff.

What do both Malcolm and Macduff think is happening to Scotland?

Scotland is suffering because of Macbeth.

Why does Malcolm think, that even though he is supposed to be king, he wouldn't make a good one?

He's worse than Macbeth.

What are Malcolm's three vices that he lists for Macduff?

Lust, greed, and no king becoming graces.

How does Macduff react to each vice?

There are lots of women who love powerful men, there is plenty of stuff to fulfil his greed, and no hope for Scotland.

How was all of this a test of Macduff's loyalty?

Malcolm lied about vices to see what Macduff would say. Macduff is going against Macbeth to take Scotland.

What plans for attack did Malcolm already have?

10000 soldiers with a general named Siward.

What is scrofula? What does it have to do with the King of England?

A skin disease that can be cured from the touch of the king. Scotland needs a cure from England.

Why mention it here?

Scotland needs a new king to reverse the damage Macbeth has done.

Why does Ross take so long to tell Macduff about the death of his family?

It doesn't make sense.

Why is it hard for Macduff to believe?

It doesn't make sense.

What is Malcolm's advice for Macduff?

Get revenge.

What does Macduff vow to do?

Kill Macbeth himself.

What has Lady Macbeth been doing?

Sleepwalking and talking about the murders. Hallucinating blood on her hands.

What is ironic about Lady Macbeth wanting light with her at all times?

She is a dark person who wants light.

How does Lady Macbeth incriminate herself?

She starts recalling some of the details of Duncan's murder because of a psychological disorder.

What is the doctor's diagnosis? What does he instruct the gentlewoman to do?

Only God can help her. Make sure she stays in bed.

Why are both the gentlewoman and the doctor nervous about what they've heard and seen?

Because they know the information and if she finds out they know, she could have them killed because she is the queen.

How does Lennox describe Malcolm's army that is approaching?

Young, inexperienced men.

How does Angus describe Macbeth's army or forces?

They are only doing it because their king commanded them to, not because they believe in who and what they are fighting for.

What side are the noblemen in this scene favoring? How do you know this?

Malcolm and his army because they are like the "medicine" that needs to heal Scotland.

Why is Macbeth not upset when so many noblemen are deserting him now when he most needs them?

The witches told him that nobody born of a woman could kill him.

Why is Macbeth so nasty to his servant? Why does he call him a "lily-livered boy"? What motif does this suggest?

The servant is scared because soldiers are outside. The servant is pale because he is scared. Macbeth doesn't want him to show fear. He calls him a coward to insult his manhood.

Who is Seyton? Why is he summoned by Macbeth?

Macbeth's general. He wants reports and his armor.

How does Macbeth describe his life in lines 22-28?

He feels his life is coming to an end.

What is ironic about the doctor's report on Lady Macbeth? (two answers)

He is describing himself and his own conditions. She isn't the same person as earlier scenes. She isn't strong anymore.

What instructions does Malcolm give to his soldiers?

To cut branches and hold them to cover their numbers.

What is Macbeth's plan for war according to Malcolm? Why might this be a mistake?

Hiding in the castle. He's outnumbered. He could trap himself in the castle.

According to Macbeth, why is he staying in the castle and not advancing his army?

He believes his castle is strong enough. He is outnumbered by all the men against him.

Why does the cry of women not affect Macbeth? Lines 9-14

He's a cold-hearted murderer.

How does Macbeth react to the news of Lady Macbeth's death?

He knew she would've died sooner or later.

What news does the messenger deliver?

Woods and trees are moving.

How does Macbeth react?

If he's wrong, he would be left hanging till he dies.

According to Malcolm, who will lead the first assault on the castle? And the second?

Siward and his son Young Siward. Malcolm and Macduff.

To what does Macbeth compare himself?

A bear chained to a stake.

Why is Young Siward killed so easily by Macbeth? (two answers)

He doesn't have any battle experience. Young Siward was born of woman.

According to Macduff, what will happen if he doesn't kill Macbeth? Lines 15-20

He'll be haunted by his wife and children's ghosts.

Why is the castle so easily taken, according to Malcolm?

Nobody wants to help Macbeth.

Why will Macbeth not be a "Roman fool"?

He doesn't want to kill himself because of defeat. Foolish to die by suicide.

What do lines 4-6 reveal about Macbeth?

He doesn't want to kill Macduff since he killed his family.

What is important about how Macduff was born?

He wasn't "born of woman." Mother died and he was cut out.

Why does Macbeth decide to fight if this is true? (two answers)

He doesn't want to see Malcolm become king. He doesn't want to be publicly executed.

What comforts Siward when he discovers that his son has died?

He died like a man because he died fighting. His injuries were on the front of his body. Shows he put up a fight and wasn't lying on the ground.

Why does Macduff enter with Macbeth's head? Isn't it enough that he killed him?

Alluding to beginning of play. Symbol of disrespect to get revenge for killing his family.

How does Malcolm reward his loyal troops? Why does he do this?

He is promoting his noblemen to earls. He wants everyone to be loyal to him.

How did Lady Macbeth die? Why is this ironic? (two answers)

Suicide. Macbeth stated he didn't want to die of suicide because it was foolish. She was projecting toughness and confidence.

Why wasn't Donalbain involved in the fighting?

He's in Ireland. He doesn't have any idea of what's going on.

How did Macbeth's tragic flaw lead him to his downfall?

His ambition got the best of him. He listened to what the witches said. Committed murder to keep his status. Gets a big head and runs a tyrant.

What does he learn about life before his death?

He has a negative outlook on life. Short and meaningless.

What was Lady Macbeth's advice to her husband all along? Why was she wrong?

Be a man and be strong. Stay unbothered. His emotions got the best of him. Her experience shows she's wrong.

List at least three motifs used in this play and give examples for each.

1. Two sides to every story. Fair is foul and foul is fair. Lady Macbeth and Duncan.

2. Gender roles. Banquo said the witches should be women but they have beards. Young Siward died fighting like a man.

3. Brutality of mankind. Public executions. Lady Macbeth saying she'd kill her own baby.