Macbeth Study Packet

What is the point of view of Act 1, scene 1 literally and in reference to the rest of the play?

Literally, we see things from the perspective of the witches. This introduces the reader to not only them as characters, but it introduces the main character as well, insinuating that he is a warrior engaging in battle.

What does Duncan call Macbeth when he hears Macbeth has defeated Macdonwald?

"O, valiant cousin! Worthy gentleman!"

Who is sentenced to death?

Thane of Cawdor

What do the witches predict in I.iii for Macbeth? For Banquo?

Macbeth will be Thane of Cawdor, Thane of Glamis, and the king. Banquo's decendants will rule as well and he will live happily.

What news does Ross bring Macbeth?

He is now the Thane of Cawdor.

What does Banquo say about the motives of the "instruments of darkness?"

They are plotting against Macbeth and Banquo by telling them their futures, because it will lead them to their deaths.

How does Duncan feel about Cawdor's last moments?

He feels no remorse for the seemingly repenting man, saying that if he were a good man he never would have committed treason.

Macbeth says "Stars hide your fires/ Let light see my black desires" what desires is he talking about?

He is talking about the desire to become king, the one that engulfs him until he is motivated to kill the king.

After Lady Macbeth reads the letter, what does she say her opinion on Macbeth is? How does she plan to help him?

She likes him, but he is far too noble and kind to be able to assassinate the king. She also questions his ability to lead because of this. She plans to help persuade him into killing the king, because fate and the witches will it so.

What is Lady Macbeth's prayer to the spirits when she finds out that Duncan is coming?

She prays/wills the spirits to turn her into a fierce, ruthless killing machine so she can properly assist Macbeth in murdering the king.

What advice does Lady Macbeth give Macbeth when he arrives home?

She tells him that to kill the king with no suspicion, he needs to suck up to him and lull him into a false sense of security.

What are Macbeth's arguments to himself against killing Duncan?

Macbeth is the king's advisor and subject, Duncan is a noble and good king, and Duncan's such a popular king that his death would bring sorrow upon Scotland.

What arguments does Lady Macbeth use to convince Macbeth to commit the murder?

She tells him not to be a coward, not to say later that he "could have been" when he could "be" king. She tells him to be a man and go get what he wants. She says if she had made the promise to do this, that she would have killed her own baby to carry forth with her promise.

What is Lady Macbeth's plan?

She will drug the kings grooms (guards). Macbeth will then go into the king's room and murder him in his sleep.

What is Macbeth's lie to Banquo about the witches' predictions?

He says he hasn't been thinking of them lately (miss gorl you literally killed someone bc of them be so fr)

What is the symbol Lady Macbeth is to give Macbeth once she has taken care of the guards?

She would ring the bell.

What excuse does Lady Macbeth give for not killing Duncan herself?

He reminds her of her father when he's sleeping

After Macbeth kills Duncan, he goes to Lady Macbeth and is concerned about not being able to say "Amen." What is her advice to him?

She says to just not think about it.

Macbeth is worried about hearing a voice saying, "Macbeth does murder sleep." What does Lady Macbeth tell him to do?

She instructs him to clean himself up and take the daggers back to the crime scene.

Why won't Macbeth take the daggers back to the scene of the crime?

He is too ashamed of his crime and scared to see the scene a second time

Who was knocking?

Macduff and Lennox

What 3 things does drinking provoke?

nose painting (red nose) , sleep, and urination

How does Lennox describe the night, and what is Macbeth's response?

He says it was horribly harsh and chaotic, and Macbeth says his night was rough as well.

What did Macduff discover?

Duncan's body

Macduff says, "Oh, gentle lady, 'Tis not for you to hear what I can speak. The repetition, in a woman's ear, Would murder as it fell." What is ironic about this?

She was the one who literally orchestrated the murder, so she definitely wouldn't be surprised.

What excuse or explanation did Macbeth give for killing the guards (grooms)? What is his real reason?

He says he did it out of anger for "what they did" to Duncan, but he actually did it so they couldn't give a testimony.

Why do Malcolm and Donalbain leave?

They fear that the king's murderer will be after them, too.

Why does Ross not believe that Malcolm and Donalbain are responsible for Duncan's murder?

Because he was their father, and why would they have any reason to kill their father when he was such a kind man?

Why does Macbeth want Banquo and Fleance dead?

Macbeth thinks that Banquo knows too much and he dosen't want Banquo's sons to inherit the throne

What is Macbeth's plan for killing Banquo and Fleance? Does it work?

He appoints 3 murderers to surprise and kill them. Only Banquo ends up dying.

Macbeth says, "The worm that's fled Hath nature that in time will venom breed, No teeth for the present." What does that mean?

It means that Fleance is not a worry as of now, but in the future he may become dangerous.

Who (what) did Macbeth see at the banquet table?

He saw Banquo's ghost.

How does Lady Macbeth cover for Macbeth at the banquet? What excuses does she give for his wild talk?

She says that he's been a victim of hallucinations since he was young, and this is nothing but a relapse. She also dismisses the other guests.

Who else was missing from the banquet table (besides Banquo)?

Macduff.

Macbeth says, "I am in blood Stepped in so far that should I wade no more, Returning were as tedious as go o'er." What does he mean?

He means that he's already too far gone morally to ever redeem himself, so he should simply let the bloodshed continue.

What does Hecate want the witches to do?

She wants the witches to give Macbeth some visions which will give him false impressions, false hopes for his personal safety and the safety of his rule, so he will continue on his path of destruction.

What does Lennox think about Macbeth, Fleance, and Duncan's sons?

He thinks that Macbeth is guilty of all the murders, he hopes Duncan's sons won't be punished, and he's happy that Fleance has escaped and he doesn't believe that he is guilty either.

Witch 2 says, "By the pricking of my thumb, Something wicked this way comes." Who comes?

Macbeth

What is Macbeth's attitude towards the witches this time?

He's angry and determined to learn his future from them, instead of how he used to be reverent and fearful of them.

What four things did the witches show Macbeth? What does each show/say? What is Macbeth's reaction?

They showed him an armed head, a bloody child, a crowned child with a tree in its hand, and, finally, eight kings followed by Banquo's ghost. Respectively, they showed/told Macbeth to beware of Macduff, that he would not be harmed by anyone "born of woman, "that he would not be vanquished until Birnam Wood would come to Dunsinane, and that Banquo's descendants would be kings.

Macbeth says (about the witches), "Infected be the air whereon they ride, And damned all those that trust them!" What is Macbeth, in effect, saying about himself?

He is saying that by trusting them, he, too, is damned.

Where is Macduff? Why isn't he with his family?

Macduff is in England. He is meeting with Malcolm and king. he is trying to get them to build an army. Then return to Scotland to reclaim the throne.

What is Lady Macduff's attitude at the moment about her husband Macduff?

Lady Macduff is furious at her husband's abandonment-she calls him a traitor and a coward. She tells her son it is left up to the mother to protect her young now, and that his father is dead.

Why does Macbeth have Macduff's family and servants killed?

Macduff is not loyal to Macbeth, and Macbeth is angry.

Why is Malcolm in England?

Malcolm flees to England because after his father, King Duncan, is murdered, he is afraid that he's next. He wants to get out of where he lives to be safe.

Why does Macduff travel to England?

Macduff travels to england because he does not agree with Macbeth's rule/leadership. He looks for supporters to help to overthrow him and get a new leader.

Why does Malcolm test Macduff?

Malcolm tests Macduff because he's afraid that Macbeth sent Macduff to get Malcolm and trick him to return home. He wants to assure that Macduff is actually truthful in saying that he doesn't like Macbeth. After all, they all were very fond of him before he came king.

Why does Lady Macduff's son say, "Liars and swearers are fools"

He implies that since there are more of them than honest people, they should get together and hang the honest folks. They are foolish to leave themselves in jeopardy when they could overcome the honest people.

Malcolm says, "Angels are bright still, though the brightest fell. Though all things foul would wear the brows of grace, Yet grace must still look so." What does this mean?

The devil was of course at one time the brightest angel. The point is that things aren't what they seem. One cannot judge a book by it's cover.

Macduff says, "Oh Scotland, Scotland!" Why?

Malcolm has just told him what a horrid king he (Malcolm) would be if he were on the throne instead of Macbeth. Given the choice, then, between Macbeth and Malcolm, he gravely fears for his country.

What do the doctor and gentlewoman see Lady Macbeth doing? What do they decide to do?

They see her sleepwalking and talking about the murders. The doctor decides his best move is to not mention that he heard anything, and he tells the woman to keep an eye on Lady Macbeth.

What does Macbeth want the doctor to do for his wife?

He asks him to give her some sort of medication that will cure her of her delusions and ease her mind.

What trick does Malcolm use to hide the number of men in his army?

He tells his soldiers to take branches from the Birnam Wood to hide themselves and blend into the forest.

Malcolm says, "And none serve with him but constrained things Whose hearts are absent, too." What does that mean?

He means that none of Macbeth's soldiers are helping him out of free will, and that their hearts aren't in it.

What is Macbeth's reaction to Lady Macbeth's death?

He takes it very calmly and flippantly, saying she was already bound to die eventually.

What is Macbeth's reaction to the news that Birnam Wood is moving?

He says that despite his uncertainty, he must and will fight until the bitter end even if he dies.

Who first fights Macbeth? What happens?

Macbeth slays Young Siward. And according to scene 8, Young Siward had wounds on his front side, representing he was fighting bravely and with confidence.

Macbeth says to Macduff, "But get thee back, my soul is too much charged with blood of thine already." To what is he referring?

He's referring to the fact that he has already killed Macduff's entire family, Macduff should not try to fight him as well.

When does Macbeth know that he is in trouble?

2 times: When the forest begins to move, and when Macduff tells him that he was not born of a woman, his mother had a C-section and therefore the prophecy is null and void. (is that not still birth tho???? like???)

How does Macbeth die?

Macduff fights him and beheads him.

Who will be King of Scotland?

Malcolm