MACBETH ACTS 1-3

ACT I

ACT I

Scene 1

Scene 1

What characters are introduced in scene 1?

The three witches

How would you interpret the line "fair is foul, and foul is fair?"

Something can appear to be fair but it is foul and vice versa

What specific plan is mentioned?

The witches will meet again but with Macbeth on the hill after the battle at sunset

Scene 2

Scene 2

What three men are leading troops into battle against Duncan?

Macdonwald, Thane of Cawdor, King of Norway (Sweeno)

Who defeated and killed Macdonwald?

Macbeth

What is to be the Thane of Cawdor's punishment for his traitorous activities?

Executed and title given to Macbeth

Who will receive his title?

Macbeth

Scene 3

Scene 3

What revenge does the witch plan for the sailor whose wife wouldn't share her chestnuts?

She was going to start a terrible storm that would attack the sailor's ship

What does this indicate about the witches powers?

His boat cannot e lost but the witches can mess with it

What predictions do the witches make about Macbeth?

That he will become Thane of Cawdor, Thane of Glamis, and King

How does Macbeth react the way he does to the witches predictions?

He is enthralled and entranced

What prediction do the witches make for Banquo?

Banquo will be lesser than Macbeth but greater

What is the "horrid image" Macbeth speaks of?

The bloody dagger that he will kill Duncan with

Scene 4

Scene 4

What further reward does Macbeth hope to receive from Duncan?

The crown

Who is named to succeed Duncan to the throne?

His son Malcom, Prince of Cumberland

How does Macbeth react to the announcement?

He is offended and appalled

Where is Duncan to spend the night?

At Macbeth's castle in Inverness

Scene 5

Scene 5

What does the nature of the letter reveal about Macbeth's relationship with his wife?

They are close in their marriage and she is given a lot of power

How does Lady Macbeth characterize her husband?

He is too kind

Why does Lady Macbeth call upon the spirits to "unsex" her?

Because she wants to become evil, like a man, but without any remorse

What warning does she give Macbeth?

She's going to kill Malcolm

Scene 6

Scene 6

What action takes place in scene 6?

Everyone arrives in Inverness

How does Lady Macbeth greet Duncan?

Pleasingly

Scene 7

Scene 7

In his soliloquy, what reasons does Macbeth give for not wanting to kill Duncan?

He is his kinsman and subject, he serves him

What reason against the murder does he give Lady Macbeth?

Duncan has done nothing but honor him, and the public would hate him for killing him

What does Lady Macbeth imply about Macbeth's love for her?

That he is a coward

What finally causes Macbeth to decide to commit the murder?

Lady Macbeth said it would make him a man

ACT II

ACT II

Scene 1

Scene 1

What "cursed thoughts" does Banquo have?

He's been dreaming about the witches

What lie does Macbeth tell Banquo?

He isn't thinking about the witches

What is the meaning of Banquo's answer to Macbeth?

He will not loose honor to receive more honor

What causes Macbeth to think he sees a dagger?

Confliction with killing Duncan

At the end of scene 1, a bell rings. What is the significance of this?

His decision to go on with killing Duncan

Scene 2

Scene 2

What omen of death doe Lady Macbeth hear?

The owl's scream and the cricket's cry

Why does Lady Macbeth say she did not commit the murder herself

Duncan looked like her father in the moment

What words about himself does Lady Macbeth believe he hears?

He will never sleep again

Both Macbeth and Lady comment upon the effectiveness of water in cleansing away their involvement in the deed. How do they differ?

Macbeth-- the water cannot wash it away

Lady Macbeth-- water will wash it away

Scene 3

Scene 3

Why has Macduff come to Macbeth's castle?

To call on Duncan

What unusual things happen to Macduff and Lennox during the night?

There was an uproar, chimneys fell, screams of death in the night

Who discovers the murder?

Macduff

Why does Macbeth kill the king's men?

He loved Duncan so much that he was angry that the guards did not protect Duncan

Why might Lady Macbeth pretend to faint?

Because Macbeth just made everything worse and her fainting leaves her out of the mess

What actions to Malcom and Donalbain take?

Make plans to leave town so it doesn't look like they killed their dad

Scene 4

Scene 4

Ross and the old man discuss the strange events occurring. How are these strange events similar?

Macbeth disloyal to Duncan, but then he killed him

How does popular opinion account for the murder?

Everyone thinks Malcom and Donalbain did it

Who is named king?

Macbeth

Why does Macduff not plan to attend Macbeth's coronation?

Everything was better in the past

ACT III

ACT III

Scene 1

Scene 1

What suspicions does Banquo voice? What does he say that lets us know what he suspects?

he probably thinks Macbeth did it

Who besides Banquo knows of the witches' prophecies?

Macbeth and Lady Macbeth

Why does Macbeth question Banquo about his plans?

Because he is plotting Banquo's death and they need to know where he is

In lines 49-72, what suspicions does Macbeth harbor?

That he is plotting Macbeth's death so that his children will be kings.

What does Macbeth tell the murderers about Banquo?

That Banquo has wronged them by doing bad things to convince the murderes they are killing him for a good reason

According to Macbeth, why does he himself not kill Banquo?

And because he doesn't want to lose his friends

Who else are the murders to kill?

Fleance

Scene 2

Scene 2

What is the meaning of Lady Macbeth's saying, "Naught's had, all's spent, Where our desire is got without content"?

They are King and Queen but there not happy

In lines 13-22, from what affliction does Macbeth suffer?

The guilt again of the murder and terrible dreams

In line 35, Lady Macbeth says, "You must leave this." What does she mean?

He has to get over his guilt

Is Lady Macbeth aware that Macbeth has planned the death of Banquo and Fleance?

No

how is the planning of Banquo's murder different from that of Duncan's?

They hired murderers to do it instead of themselves committing the crime, easier, and its Macbeth's plan not Lady Macbeth's plan.

Scene 3

Scene 3

Who is murdered in scene 3?

Banquo

Who escapes in scene 3 with the fail of the murder?

Fleance

What is Banquo's dying request of Fleance?

To advenge Banquo's death

Scene 4

Scene 4

What activity opens scene four?

Murderes come ot the banquet at Macbeth's castle to tell him about the murder

Who joins the assembled group, sitting in Macbeth's place?

Ghost of Banquo

How does Lady Macbeth explain Macbeth's reaction?

She said he looks like he has the sickness that is from his childhood

What is Lady Macbeth's reaction to Macbeth's claim of seeing Banquo's ghost?

That she thinks he is just ill

To what other event in the play is this ghostly appearance similar?

the dagger

Why does Lady Macbeth ask everyone to leave?

So that they do not see what Macbeth is doing for example talking to the ghost

Who refused the banquet invitation?

Macduff

What is Macbeth's plan for the next day?

To go and talk to the three witches about him still being king and sends for Macduff

To what does Macbeth attribute his condition?

He's new to murdering and still has guilt and once he keeps killing he will get used to it

Scene 5

Scene 5

What does Hecate plan to do?

Further plot Macbeth's downfall

Scene 6

Scene 6

What is implied in Lennox's speech at the opening of scene six?

That he suspious of Macbeth

Where has Macduff gone?

To england to find Malcolm

What does he hope to do?

Build up forces to go against Macbeth

What purpose does scene six serve?

Reveal that people believe Macbeth killed Duncan