macbeth complete study guide acts 1-5

god save us

When are the three witches to meet again and for what purpose?

At the heath to see Macbeth.

What do you suppose is suggested by the line, "Fair is foul, and foul is fair"?

Everything is not what it seems. Things that see well and good are not always what they seem.

What do we learn of Macbeth's courage and skill?

We learn that Macbeth is very gruesome but he is gruesome to prove his point.

What is Macbeth's relationship to King Duncan?

Cousins, or kingsmen.

Who had Macbeth and Banquo been fighting?

They were fighting the Norwegians who were helped by the Thane of Cawdor.

What does King Duncan tell Ross to do?

Ross is told to order the immediate execution of the Thane of Cawdor because Cawdor has been a traitor to Scotland.

As the scene begins, how does the conversation of the witches strike you?

The conversation seems mischievous. You don't really know what the witches are up to.

When Macbeth says, "So foul and fair a day I have not seen," to what is he referring? What could be the dramatic irony in this line?

Macbeth is referring to the battle. More importantly the foulness of death but the fairness of them winning the battle. The dramatic irony is that what is said earlier in the play and what the people live by is foul is fair and fair is foul.

Describe the physical apearence of the witches.

They look withered and not like the other humans. They also have beards.

What prophecies do the Witches make regarding Macbeth? How does he react?

The witches call him Thane of Cawdor. Macbeth is unsure of what to think.

What do the Witches see in the future for Banquo?

They say that though he won't be king himself and that he will be the father of kings. They also say that he will be more fortunate than Macbeth.

What does Banquo ask Macbeth about the experience?

Banquo asks Macbeth if the experience actually happened.

As Banquo and Macbeth are discussing the prophecies, what news does Ross bring?

Ross tells Macbeth that he is now the Thane of Cawdor.

As the thers talk, what does Macbeth's aside reveal about his thinking?

It reveals that he is thinking about killing the King and that he is letting the prophecies get to his head.

How does Banquo's comment support the "Fair is foul and foul is fair" theme?

Witches are foul, but they tell the truth which is fair.

What does Macbeth mean in his aside about two truths being prologue to the imperial theme?

The Witches told him the truth twice and it's justt beginning because he will be King.

What is Macbeth's emotional state when he hears the news?

Macbeth is distraught because he knows that if he wants to be King he has to kill King Duncan.

To fully understand Macbeth's feelings you must visualize what is happening on stage. What is occuring?

Macbeth is thinking that he has to kill the King but he doesn't want to think that because you weren't supposed to think that. At this point he is kind of scared of himself.

Why was the old Thane of Cawdor exeuted?

The old Thane of Cawdor was executed because he was a traitor and he was convicted of treason.

What is the meaning of the plant metaphor? See if you can spot further plant references.

It is saying that he has "planted" Macbeth and he will work to make him grow.

What news does the King impart to Macbeth and what is Macbeth's reaction to the news?

The King says that his eldest son Malcon, who is the Prince of Cumberland, will be the next King. Macbeth is beginning to think of the prediction to be King and he begins to think about what need to happen.

In his last speech in this scene, what does Macbeth reveal?

Macbeth reveals that he will do whatever it takes to make himself King.

After Lady Macbeth finishes reading the letter, what fear about her husband does she express?

The comment creates a link between Lady Macbeth and the Witches. This expresses the fear of Lady Macbeth contributing, along with the Witches, to Macbeth's downfall.

When she says, "Hie thee hither," what is it that she plans to do?

She wants to convince Macbeth to kill the King. She tells him her plan.

How does the news about King Duncan's expected arrival affect her? What is she planning?

She is surprised because shewasn't warned but yet she is happy because it is the perfect opprotunity. She plans to kill King Duncan by stabbing him.

Why does Lady Macbeth pray to be unsexed?

She wanted to kill King Duncan but to not feel guilty. She wants to act more like a man so she will be able to kill. She wants no sensitivity or feelings.

In what way does Lady Macbeth's advice to Macbeth relate to the "fair is foul" theme?

She tells Macbeth to look innocent. To look welcoming but then turn around and stab him.

What impression does Lady Macbeth make in Act 1 Scene 6?

She appears to be happy and honored to have King Duncan over for dinner.

After saying that if the deed is to be done it must be done quickly, what arguments doe Macbeth raise for not doing it?

Macbeth says that he has been honored and does not want to waste the honor away so quickly. He also says that anyone who kills King Duncan is not a man.

What does he finally conclude?

Macbeth finally concludes that the only thing making him want to kill King Duncan is the prospect that he would be King.

What does Macbeth decide before he speaks to Lady Macbeth?

Macbeth decides that if he is going to do it he needs to do it now. It's now or never.

What does Lady Macbeth say in an attempt to goad her husband into the murder?

She questioned her love for him and asks if he is even a man.

Macbeth's responce to her about what a man may dare is frequently quoted. What is his meaning?

He says that if a man does not kill his friend then a coward does the killing for him.

What is the point of Lady Macbeth's baby imagery? Note the many times imags of babies and mothers are presented in this play.

It adds to the dramatic irony. It adds tenderness and sincerity which is quickly turned into evil.

What does Duncan give his hostess to show his gratitude?

A Diamond

Banquo wants the prediction made by the witches to come true for his sons. What does he refuse to do so that the prediction does come true?

Kill Duncan

What is Macbeth anticipating in his soliloquy about the dagger?

Murdering Duncan

What is the significance of the ringing of the bell?

It means death. It is time for Macbeth to murder Duncan.

What did Lady Macbeth do to the guards to make them sleep?

Got them drunk.

Why couldn't Lady Macbeth murder the king herself?

He looks like her father

What does Macbeth do or say to show his near hysteria after the murder?

He can't sleep, he can't say amen, he won't go back, and he called the murder scene a "sorry sight"

What does Macbeth bring with him from the murder scene, which Lady Macbeth must return?

Bloody dagger

What does Lady Macbeth intend to do with Duncan's blood if he's bleeding?

Smear it on the guards

How does Lady Macbeth react to the murder of Duncan?

Not as disturbed, takes charge

In the opening comic interlude, the porter is pretending that he's the gate keeper in ____

Hell

What evidence does Lennox give of nature harmonizing with man's violence?

Windy, screams, the combustion, birds clamoring, earthquakes, horses went crazy and broke stalls

Who announces that Duncan has been murdered?

Macduff

What appearance does Lady Macbeth fake at the news?

Fainting

Who is accused of the murder?

The guards

Who kills the guards, and what reason does he give for his actions?

Macbeth. He said he was angry

Why do Duncan's sons, Malcolm and Donalbain, leave?

Because their father was murdered and they don't want to be next

Where does Malcolm go?

England

Where does Donalbain go?

Ireland

Who is now suspected of the murder and why?

Malcolm and Donalbain, because they left

Who is the new king?

Macbeth

What is Macduff implying when he says, "Lest out old robes sit easier than our new"?

He doesn't like Macbeth being kind

What are the two animals that are omens?

Owls and crickets

Why can Banquo be considered a threat to Macbeth?

The witches said Banquo's sons will be king, but Macbeth wants his sons and himself to be king.

What are Macbeth's motives for murdering Banquo?

-Macbeth wants his sons to be king

-Banquo knows of the prophecies

How many men does Macbeth employ for Banquo's murder?

2

How does Macbeth convince these men to murder Banquo?

Gives them motive by saying Banquo stripped the property.

Who else besides Banquo does Macbeth want to be killed?

Fleance (Banquo's son)

Is Macbeth still consulting Lady Macbeth concerning the murder? Why or why not?

No, because he wants to keep her in ignorance and out of the murder.

How is Lady Macbeths character changing?

-She is calm and isn't as concerned about the murders.

-Shows ignorance towards Macbeth.

How many murderers appear on the scene?

3

Who may the third murderer be?

It's a mystery.

Who escapes the hands of the murderers?

Fleance

What is Macbeth's reaction to the news that the murder plot was not totally successful?

He is feeling pressure b/c he didn't kill Fleance.

What occurs at the banquet to upset Macbeth?

-Banquo's ghost shows up and sits in his seat.

-He's the only one that can see him.

What excuse does Lady Macbeth make for her husband's behavior?

He's had these strange fits since his youth.

Whom does Macbeth fear, partly b/c of his absence at the banquet?

Macduff

Whom does Macbeth plan to see again?

The witches

What is the significance of Scene 5?

-Not written by Shakespeare

-Signify's adding to the caos of the struggle b/w good & evil

Who is blamed for Banquo's death b/c he fled?

Fleance

Where has Macduff gone? Why?

-England, to pray the king to come to his aid

-to get help to take out Macbeth

Name 2 quotes showing the unhappiness with Macbeth.

-"His presence at the tyrant's feast"

-"Mya soon return to this.. our suffering country under a hand accursed"

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 is demanding trying to take charge

What four things did the witches show Macbeth?

An armed head, a bloody child, a crowned child with a tree in its hand and eight kings followed by Banquo's ghost.

What did the witches prophesize based on the four things shown to Macbeth?

1. Beware of Macduff 2. You will not be harmed by anyone "born of a women." 3. You will not be vanquished until Birnam Wood comes to Duninsane. 4. Banquo's descendants will be kings.

Macbeth says (about the witches) "Infected be the air wereon they ride. And damned all those that trust them!" What is Macbeth really saying about himself?

He is damned.

Where is Macduff?

He is in England helping Malcolm.

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

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

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 news does Ross bring to Macduff?

Ross brings news of Macduff's family's murders.

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

She is 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 wants the doctor to ease her suffering, to give her something to make her oblivious to

her weighty troubles.

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

He has his men cut off tree branches and use them as camouflage.

What does Malcolm explain about the state of Macbeth's armies?

Malcolm says on the battlefield, Macbeth's army has been delibertly missing them. It seems no one wishes for Macbeth to be king, not even his own side!

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

He takes it very calmly, saying she would have died sooner or later, anyway.

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

"Arm, arm, and out!" He's going to fight to the bitter end and take down the whole universe

with him, if necessary.

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.

Why is it important that Young Siward died with wounds to the front chest?

It is important because being hit in the chest proves that he decided to fight Macbeth head on instead of fighting, indicating the respect he has earned. If his wounds originated from his back, it shows that he attempted to run away from the battle, earning him the title of a coward.

What excuse does Macbeth give Macduff for not wanting to fight him?

Macbeth didn't want to fight Macduff, because he didn't want to add any more bloodied casualties to the Fife Castle massacre body count.

When does Macbeth know he is in trouble?

When he sees the Birnam Wood moving towards the castle.

How does Macbeth die?

Macduff fights him and beheads him.

Who will be the new king of Scotland?

Malcolm will be king of Scotland