Macbeth - Act 1 Test

Why is this play a blend of fact and fiction?

The characters in the play and some other facts are real, but the events in the story isnt actually real (ex. duncan + macbeth = real people: macbeth wasnt actually going to kill anyone)

Why was it lucky for Shakespeare that Queen Elizabeth named King James to be her successor?

They both loved the arts and theater. He continued to support the arts

Why is Banquo portrayed as such a good guy?

Banquo is related to King James, and to make the king like the play, he portrayed him as a good guy

What do the Norwegians have to do with the action at the start of the play?

They are invading scotland

What is a monologue

when youre on stage with other people and you have an extended speech

What is a soliloquy

when youre on stage with other no one else  and you have an extended speech

What is a aside

A quick remark only the audience is supposed to hear

Describe the Globe Theater during a performance of one of Shakespeare’s plays.

the ground around the stage was packed with “groundlings” which were the cheapest seats. Then there were “boxes” that were for more wealthy people. Only men were allowed to act due to the puritans laws.

Who or what is an Anti-Stratfordian?

a person who believes Shakespeare didnt write all of his works contributed to him

Shakespeare includes, for his audience, what would’ve been present-day politics.  Look up Guy Fawkes Day and describe what that celebration is about and how that day came to be.

on November 5th people remember when Guy Fawkes and fellow Catholic conspirators attempted to blow up Parliament and assassinate James I of England, but failed 

How does Guy Fawkes Day relate to Macbeth?

Macbeth is going to become a traitor and try to kill the king

What is a thane?

a noble person, high up in the social rankings

How are the witches characterized?  Give an example from the play.

Mean, crazy, and kind of that in between state. (dressed as women, but look like them). call themselves the weird sisters (wyrd —> linked to telling you your fate)

How does Banquo’s reaction to the witches’ prophecies differ from Macbeth’s reaction?

Macbeth immediately starts thinking about his fate - banquo doesn’t let him change him

Forres is the site of ____

King Duncan‘s castle

Inverness is the site of ____

Macbeth’s Castle

Why does Duncan plan on visiting Macbeth’s home?

To honor him since he was a brave soldier

Upon reading her husband’s letter, Lady Macbeth feels he might not be able to do what needs to be done in order to get himself on the throne.  What does she feel about her husband which might impede the action necessary?

She feels that he is too full of human kindness and wont follow through with it

Explain Lady Macbeth’s “unsex me here, / And fill me, from the crown to the toe, top-full / Of direst cruelty!” speech.  What is she asking for and why?

Shes talking to evil spirits to help her be able to kill the king (females were though of too delicate, and asking for no guilt)

Who has King Duncan named as his successor? Why does this prove problematic for Macbeth?

His son, Malcolm. He will have to kill King Duncan and then Malcolm.

What is a “tragic flaw”?

a trait that a character has that eventually leads to his downfall

What might we say is Macbeth’s tragic flaw?

His ambition and he does not stand his ground when it comes to his wife

What arguments against killing the king does Macbeth make?

King Duncan a good guy, their related, and Macbeth is hosting him so its his job to take care of him

At the end of Act I, how do Macbeth and Lady Macbeth decide to make the other prophecy come true?

They will get the guards drunk and make them black out, use the guards swords to kill the King and then blame the guards

Where do we encounter dramatic irony in Act 1? 

King Duncan talking about Macbeth’s castle, and talking about how innocent and nice it looks 

Whats the 1st prophecy?

That Macbeth will become Thane of Cawdor

Whats the 2nd prophecy?

Macbeth will become King

what was the First Folio?

the first compilation of most of shakespeare’s work after his death

where was shakespeare born?

Stratford upon Avon

what does lady Macbeth think about her husbands personality?

hes too nice

What country was invading Scotland at the beginning of the play?

Norway

who is Macbeth’s closest friend?

banquo

what prophecy was given to banquo?

his kids would have a line of monarchy

why did the globe theater have no roof?

so the sunlight could light the stage instead of candles

what is dramatic irony?

when the character says something but the audience knows whats actually true

what historical era did Shakespeare live in?

renaissance

explain the great chain of being

the order in which you are closest to God, and the closer you are to God the more wealthy you are. Nothing can be unbalanced in the chain or else all of the ripple will be felt throughout

who were the master of revels

they approved plays

name one of shakespeares acting troupes

lards Chamberland OR the kings men

what is internal conflict

when a character has an emotional conflict within their own mind

what monarch was on the throne when Macbeth was preformed

King James

tragic impulse

the tragic hero nobly confronts how own limitations

valor

(n.) great sourage in the face of danger, especially batle

treason

(n.) the crime of betraying ones country especially by attempting to kill the sovereign or overthrow the government

imperial

(adj.) relating to an empire

liege

(adj) concerned with or relating to the relationship between a feudal superior and a vassal (my lord)

sovereign

(n.) a supreme ruler, especially a monarch