Macbeth Acts 1 & 2 Review for Final

Macbeth is not held in high regard amongst his fellow soldiers

False.

The witches do not look human

True.

Macbeth reacts negatively to the witches’ prophesies.

False.

Banquo’s decedents will be future monarchs

True.

Lady Macbeth thinks that her husband is too weak to kill Duncan

True.

Lady Macbeth thinks that Macbeth lacks ambition

True.

Lady Macbeth feels as though she needs to be more manly in order to kill Duncan.

True.

Macbeth thinks Duncan is an authoritarian aggressive king

False.

Macbeth does have doubts about killing the king.

True.

Lady Macbeth would even kill her own children if she had promised Macbeth

True.

Lady Macbeth instructs her husband to put on a fake show

True.

3 reasons Macbeth gives for not wanting to kill Duncan

• He had honored Macbeth.

• Duncan had carried his powers kindly, and had been so pure.

• His double trust as Duncan’s kinsman, his subject and as his host.

3 Witches

Tell Macbeth that he will be the future king, and call him Thane of Gladis /Thane of Cawdor. Tell Banquo he will be lesser than Macbeth and greater, not so happy, yet so much happier and should get king but not be one. In scene 1, they want to go meet up with Macbeth at his castle.

King Duncan

The King of Scotland. Lady Macbeth plans to murder him, so Macbeth could become the next heir to the throne. Makes his oldest son Malcolm, Prince of Cumberland.

Malcolm

King Duncan’s eldest son. Is given the title: Prince of Cumberland. Becomes an obstacle in the way of Macbeth becoming heir to the throne.

Captain

Fought against Macbeth’s captivity. Gives news to King Duncan that Macdonwald had gone against Macbeth. Let King Duncan know that Macbeth had killed a slave and chopped off his head and put it on their battle fields.

Lennox

Nobleman of Scotland.

Ross

Nobleman of Scotland. Told King Duncan that the Thane of Cawdor had begun a dismal conflict. And, told him that they had won against him. Tells King Duncan that he will see the Thane of Cawdor’s death be done.

Macbeth

Scottish general and nobleman. Wants to become the next heir. Is hesitant to kill King Duncan, because he starts thinking of potential consequences that could occur after doing so. Is heavily influenced by his wife to kill King Duncan.

Banquo

Friend of Macbeth and fellow noblemen. Calls the witches withered and wild in their attire. And, calls them not human like. As well as, hairy. Is unsure if the witches prophesies are honest and true.

Angus

Scottish nobleman.

Lady Macbeth

Macbeth’s wife. Has a plan to kill King Duncan at night when he is asleep, and frame his two chamberlains for killing him by putting blood on their daggers. Attacks Macbeth’s character to try to make him agree with her, and assist her with killing King Duncan.

When will the witches meet with Macbeth?

Before sunset, when the battle is lost and won.

Fair is foul, foul is fair meaning

Something pretty looking is also ugly, and something ugly is also pretty looking.

What type of soldier/ person is Macbeth reported to be by the Captain in Act 1 scene ii?

Macbeth is reported to be a brave soldier by the captain in Act 1 scene ii. “For brave Macbeth— well he deserves that name— Disdaining Fortune with his brandished steel, Which smoked with bloody execution” (I.ii. 16-18).

The Thane of Cawdor is reported as a traitor.  What does Duncan’s comment, “No more that Thane of Cawdor shall deceive our bosom interest” mean?  

His comment means that the Thane of Cawdor will not be able to betray their trust anymore. Leading to King Duncan telling Ross to go pronounce his death, and give the title to Macbeth.

At the end of Act 1, what is Macbeth’s final decision about murdering the king?

Macbeth decides to assist his wife with killing King Duncan, with a false face and a false heart. Hiding, his actual feelings about killing the king.

Reread the witches’ discussion of their attempt to take revenge on the sailor’s wife. Why would Shakespeare include this conversation in the scene?

Shakespeare includes this conversations to show the evilness behind the witches.

Macbeth’s entry is interesting because his first words echo those of the witches in scene i, “So foul and fair a day I have not seen.” Explain why Macbeth says this line and what purpose it serves. 

The line is used to link the line the witches had said in scene 1 of the play “fair is foul, and foul is fair.” He uses it describe the rainy weather as foul, and ugly. However, fair and exciting because he had won a battle.

How does Banquo describe the witches upon first glance? What does he think of the witches?

He describes them as “so withered and so wild in their attire”. And, calls them inhuman like, and have skinny lips with fissured skin. He thinks the witches are not honest and true of predicting his and Macbeth’s futures.

Banquo’s 3 prophecies in order. What literary device is used here?

-Lesser than Macbeth, and greater.

-Not so happy, yet so much happier.

-Thou shalt get kings, though thou be none.

Literary device being used: Paradox.

Macbeth’s 3 prophecies in order

-Thane of Glamis.

-Thane of Cawdor.

-King hereafter.

What warning does Banquo give to Macbeth about the witches?  What does Banquo seem to understand about the witches that Macbeth is …ignoring?

Banquo warns Macbeth that the witches are instruments of darkness (associated with evil). Banquo seems to understand that the witches are untrustworthy, and will lead to negative outcomes.

What does Macbeth mean when he says, “If chance will have me king, why, chance will crown me without my stir” (143)?  What decision has he made?

He means that if he is destined to be king, then he will allow himself to become king. He has decided to make himself become king.

Describe King Duncan as a king so far.  Why would he have said, “There’s no art/Find the mind’s construction in the face”?

He would have said this, because the Thane of Cawdor had gone against him. He said this, because he had been unable to see his true intentions, and had too much trust in him.

In Act 1 of scene 4, what announcements upsets Macbeth that makes him feel “black and deep desires”?

Malcolm receiving the title of Prince of Cumberland.

After Lady Macbeth reads Macbeth’s letter, what does she want?

She wants him to become the next future king, and murder King Duncan.

What does Lady Macbeth mean of her husband when she says, “Yet do I fear thy nature.  It is too full o’ the milk of human kindness to catch the nearest way.”(I.v.14-16)?

She means that her husband is too kind of a person.

What does Lady Macbeth want Macbeth to do?

She wants Macbeth to assist her with the murder of King Duncan She wants him to appear innocent, but inside be evil. “Look like the innocent flower, “But be the serpent under’t” (I.v. 63-64).

What does Lady Macbeth mean when she says “Was the hope drunk wherein you dressed yourself?  Hath it slept since? And wakes it now to look so green and pale?” (I.vii.35-37).

She means that her husband has changed to becoming cowardly, and hesitant on killing the king. Highlighting, that her husband has turned weak.

In what ways has Lady Macbeth influenced Macbeth’s decision.

Lady Macbeth has influenced Macbeths decision by attacking his character. Such as, calling him a coward. “Art thou afeard to be the same in thine own act and valor As thou art in desire? Wouldst thou have that Which thou esteem’st the ornament of life, And live a coward in thine own esteem” (I.vii. 39-43).

List the steps of the plan to murder the king

-When Duncan is asleep soundly invite him— his two chamberlains.

-Lady Macbeth, would convince the brain of the guard to be a vapor.

-Lady Macbeth would mark Duncan’s chamberlain’s swords with Duncan’s blood.

-Lady Macbeth would frame his chamberlains, that they had killed Duncan.

Three things Macbeth reveals in his dagger soliloquy

-He sees a dagger, and clutches it. Deciding, it was an item he was going to use.

-He feels compelled to murder King Duncan, due to the witches prophecies.

-Macbeth will go and murder King Duncan.

What is bothering Banquo?

The three weird sisters are preventing him from sleeping. “A heavy summons lies like lead upon me, And yet I would not sleep. Merciful powers, Restrain in me the cursed thoughts that nature Gives way to, in repose” (II.i. 6-8).

What does Macbeth request of Banquo?

He requests Banquo to stay loyal to him, and lead him to become a higher rank. “If you shall cleave to my consent, when ‘tis, It shall make honor for you” (II.i. 24).

Where do Banquo’s loyalties lie?

Banquo’s loyalties lie strongly with King Duncan. He lets Macbeth know that he will remain loyal to him. As long as his loyalty to the king remains unharmed. “But still keep My bosom franchised and allegiance clear, I shall be counseled” (II.i. 27).

What does Macbeth’s “dagger soliloquy” reveal about his character and current state of mind? 

It reveals that Macbeth is willing to commit the murder of King Duncan. He sees him as a threat to becoming the potential heir to the throne. “While I threat, he lives words to the heat of deeds too cold breath gives” (II.i. 59-60).

What feelings does Macbeth express in his dagger soliloquy?

He expresses feelings of guilt.

What does the bell signify at the end of Act 2 of scene 1?

The bell signifies that the murder is ready to happen.

How will Macbeth know it’s time to commit the murder?

Macbeth knows it's time to commit the murder, when he announces King Duncan’s death. “Hear it not, Duncan, for it is a knell That summons thee to heaven, or to hell” (II.i. 62-63).

What steps of the plan did Lady Macbeth do herself?

She had made the guards drunk, so they could lose their memory. Lady Macbeth puts the blood on the faces of King Duncan's chamberlains, and on their daggers. And, accuse them for killing the king. “Give me the daggers. The sleeping and the dead Are but as pictures. ‘Tis the eye of childhood That fears a painted devil. If he do bleed, I’ll gild the faces of the grooms withal, For it must seem their guilt” (II.ii. 50-54).

What steps of the plan did Macbeth do himself?

Macbeth kills King Duncan, because Lady Macbeth is unable to herself. “I have done the deed. Didn’t thou not hear a noise” (II.ii. 14).

Why was Lady Macbeth unable to kill Duncan herself?

Lady Macbeth was unable to kill Duncan herself, because she felt he had resembled too much of her father. “I laid their daggers ready, He could not miss ‘ em. Had he not resembled my father as he slept, I had done’t” (II.ii. 11-13).

Which character was sleeping in the bedroom next to the king?

Donalbain.

What are some of the things that Macbeth imagined/hallucinated during the crime? 

-Macbeth imagined one of the servants laughing and one crying “murder.”

-One of the servants cried “God bless us”, the other “Amen.”

-He thought he heard a voice cry “Sleep no more, Macbeth does murder sleep.”

-He thought he heard a voice still cry “Sleep no more,” to all the house. “Glamis hath murdered sleep, and therefore Cawdor Shall sleep no more. Macbeth shall sleep no more.”

What mistakes does Macbeth make in Act 2 of scene 2?  

Macbeth is unable to smear blood on the chamberlain’s swords. As well as, on their faces. And, is unable to frame the chamberlain’s for King Duncan’s murder.

What directions does Lady Macbeth give Macbeth as they hear knocking at the gate?

Lady Macbeth tells Macbeth to go back to the chamber, and put on his nightgown. “Hark, more knocking. Get on your nightgown, lest occasion call us, And show us to be watchers. Be not lost So poorly in your thoughts” (II.ii. 68-70).

How does Macbeth react to having just killed the king?  

Macbeth feels guilty and fearful after having just killed the king. “I am afraid to think what I have done. Look on’t again I dare not” (II.ii. 49).

How does Lady Macbeth react to the murder they just committed?

Lady Macbeth feels the same amount of guilt as Macbeth does. However, does not want to feel as cowardly as he does. “My hands are of your color, but I shame To wear a heart so white” (II.ii. 62).

Who discovers the murder of King Duncan?

Macduff.

Who does Lennox say committed the murder?

King Duncan’s chamberlain’s.

What evidence is there for who was to blame?

The Chamberlain’s daggers had been marked with blood. As well as, their hands/faces.

What happens to those blamed?

Macbeth will kill them.

“‘Twas a Rough night.” (2.3.61) Who says this, and how is it an example of an understatement?

Macbeth. It is an example of an understatement, because Macbeth had been able to successfully kill King Duncan.

”There’s daggers in men’s smiles.” Who says this, and what it is an example of?

Donalbain. It is an example of a metaphor. Comparing daggers to men’s smiles.

Why does Lady Macbeth faint in Act 2 of scene 3?

Lady Macbeth faints to create a diversion, so the men can have their attention on her. Instead of Macbeth whom they are asking about the murder of King Duncan. She does this, as a way to hide from Macbeth saying he actually killed King Duncan

What do Malcolm and Donalbain decide after the death of the king? Why do they decide this?

They decide to not involve themselves with the murder of their father, and shift away. They do this to protect themselves from any potential dangers, as being the sons of the king. And, potential heirs.

Whom might be an obstacle for Macbeth and Lady Macbeth going forward?

Malcolm might become an obstacle for Lady Macbeth/ Macbeth. He is already Prince of Cumberland, and Duncan’s eldest son.

Where do the brothers go?  Why do they leave?

Malcolm decides to go to England. Donalbain decides to go to Ireland. They leave to protect their safety of potentially getting killed as Duncan’s sons.

What do Malcolm and Donalbain think of the murder?

Malcolm and Donalbain feel they could be potentially next to be killed, as Duncan’s sons. They are scared for their own safety. “Our separated fortune shall keep us both the safer. Where we are, there’s daggers in men’s smiles. The near in blood, the nearer bloody” (II.iii.140-142).

Who is the Porter, what is he talking about, and what is his purpose in the play?

The Porter is the gate/door keeper of Macbeth’s castle. He is talking about a farmer who had hung himself. An equivocator who committed treason. An English tailor. Drinking provokes noise painting, sleep and urine. Lechery provokes the desire, but takes away the performance. Drinking lots of alcohol can persuade him and disheartens him; makes him stand to, and not stand to; equivocates him in a sleep. His purpose in the play is to provide comic relief, after Macbeth had killed the king.

List the unnatural events that take place around the time of Duncan’s murder.

-The darkness is taking over the light.

-A falcon was attacked and killed by a mouse hunting owl.

-Duncan’s horses had left their stalls, and eaten one another.

Why might comic relief be needed in the beginning of Act 2 of scene 3?

Comic relief might be needed to hide the truth that King Duncan is dead. And, that Macbeth had killed him. It is used to lighten the seriousness of what just had happened in the scene before, with humor.

How does the setting of Act 2 of scene 1 create a sense of foreboding?

The setting creates a sense of foreboding by showing that it is dark, and mysterious outside. “The moon is down, I have not heard the clock” (II.ii.1).

Who is crowned king at the end of Act 2 of scene 4?

Macbeth.

Blood is a reoccurring symbol in the play. How might blood be related to guilt in the play?

Blood might be related to guilt in the play, by signifying murder. Blood, shows the longing aftermath consequences Macbeth, and his wife would later have to face. Due to killing the king. And, shows evilness towards both characters by doing something unfixable.

How is sleep used as a symbol of guilt in act 2?

Sleep is used as a symbol of guilt in Act 2, to create voices to be heard from Macbeth. After having killed the king. Making him, feel even worse about doing so. Increasing the amount of regret he feels about killing him. “Still it cried “Sleep no more,” to all the house. Glamis hath murdered sleep, and therefore Cawdor shall sleep no more” (II.ii. 39-41).