Macbeth

What is the setting of the opening scene?

An open deserted place, lightning, thunder and rain.

What are the three witches discussing?

When they will meet Macbeth

What is the atmosphere of the witches in the first scene?

dark, scary, and omnious

What are the witches plans?

To mess with Macbeth

Why does Duncan believe the solider can provide them with news?

He has clearly been injured in battle, he should know.

What is the nature of the war when Scotland is involved?

Frieghtning to the people lead by the thane of Cawdor

How does Macdonwald behave in battle?

Refer to him as an enemy, a traitor, and a rebel.

When the Norwegians began a new attack, what did Macbeth and Banquo do?

Came out victorious.

What news does the thane of Ross bring?

He is the one who tells the king " even though the thane of Cawdor was a traitor", but the Scottish still wins.

How does Duncan respond to the news of Cawdor's behavior?

Will kill him and give his title to Macbeth.

How do the three witches greet Macbeth? What are their predictions?

All Hail Thane of Glamis, All Hail Thane of Cawdor, All Hail King here after.

What do the three witches prophesy concerning Banquo?

His sons will be king but he will not be king. - Less than Macbeth and greater, not so happy yet happier

What is Banquo's reaction to the three witches?

Thinks they are hulisinating, ate something. - Banquo thinks the witches are crazy

what is foil?

an opposite character

who is the foil for Macbeth?

Banquo

What does Banquo mean when he says, " What can the devil speak true?"

It is possible that the devil could speak the truth, do these witches really know something.

What is Macbeth's impression of the three witches after learning he has been named thane of Cawdor?

He is confused, but he will wait and see how things play out.

What is Macbeth's attitude toward Duncan when the scene opens?

Modisty, loyal, and humble.

How does King Duncan feel towards Macbeth and Banquo?

He think Macbeth is a brave fighter, he respects them

Duncan names his elder son as the prince of Cumberland. Why is this a problem for Macbeth?

It stands in the way of the thrown.

How does lady Macbeth react to her husband's letter?

She is excited, but also afraid her husband does not have what it takes to Murder the King.

When Lady Macbeth hears of the witches prediction in the letter, what are her thoughts?

That they will come true

What does Lady Macbeth say will happen to Duncan when she learns that he is coming to Inverness?

He is not going to leave alive.

Why does Lady Macbeth tell her husband leave all of the plans to her?

She's going to do it because he won't be able to fake his way through it.

Who greets Duncan at Inverness?

Lady Macbeth.

What does Macbeth mean when he says Duncan is " here in double trust?"

He trusts me because i am his servant, because he is also a guest in my house.

What is ironic about the speeches that Duncan and Banquo make as they approach Macbeth's castle?

Full gratitude and kindness (there is a murder planed)

Why does Macbeth tell Lady Macbeth that they will not follow through with their plans?

Duncan does not deserve this, hes been very good to Macbeth.

How does lady Macbeth taunt Macbeth into action?

Questions his manhood.

What is the actual plan?

Get the guards drunk, use their daggers to kill Duncan, then lay the daggers by the guards. - kill him in his sleep

In Macbeth's first major soliloquy what reasons does he give for not wanting to kill Duncan?

Thoughts of murder makes him feel that he does not know who he is anymore

What major theme has reappeared in Act 1?

Blind ambition and deception.

Does Macbeth control his own future or does someone else control his fate?

the witches control his fate

Who is the more powerful character in this Act?

Lady Macbeth

What does the device of the aside used by Macbeth convey to the audience about his character?

At the beginning he does not want to kill Duncan, then he's going to go through with it

What is blank verse?

Unrhymed verse (Iambic Pantamiter)

What do we learn from the discussion between Banquo and Fleance?

Very,very, dark scene, moonlight, and eerie.

What does Banquo tell us that Duncan gave to Lady Macbeth?

A large diamond.

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

Kill Duncan

What emotions does Macbeth display during the soliloquy that begins, "is this a dagger which i see before me"?

He is very anxious, nervous, witch craft involved, he is end ready.

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.

How does Lady Macbeth get the plot started?

Lady Macbeth drugs them with alcohol, places their daggers where Macbeth can easily find them.

Why doesn't Lady Macbeth simply kill Duncan while she is in the room?

He looks like her father.

After Macbeth kills Duncan, Lady Macbeth says, " these deeds must not be thought/ after theses ways; so it will make us mad." What does this suggest about the rest of the play?

It will take a toll on them.

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 do wrong, and how does Lady Macbeth fix it?

Macbeth came back with the daggers, but Lady Macbeth went and put them back.

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

What are they hurrying to do as the scene comes to an end?

Put their night clothes on.

How does Macbeth feel in the last lines?

Macbeth feels guilty, sorrow, wishing he could undo what he did.

Why does Macduff arrive at Inverness early in the morning?

Duncan asked him to.

How does Macbeth greet Macduff?

He is very polite, very gracious, acts as if nothing has happened.

What does Lennox say about the night that has just passed?

Weird noises, sights, and omens.

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

How does Macduff react to finding Duncan murdered?

Shocked and he is devastated.

Who announces that Duncan has been murdered?

Macduff

What appearance does Lady Macbeth fake at the news?

Fainting

What does Macbeth say in response to Malcolm's question, "O, by whom?"

Macbeth says it was the guards and that he was so angry he killed the guards.

What do Malcolm and Donalbain decide to do after learning of their father's murder?

Fleeing, Malcolm to England and Donalbain to Ireland.

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

What strange events to Ross and the old man discuss?

A falcon that was killed by an owl, horses attacked each other and ate each other.

What do Macduff and Ross think about Malcolm and Donalbain's escape?

It is suspicious and guilty, think they paid the guards to kill Duncan.

Why will Macbeth become the king?

Nobel men get together and decide on Macbeth.

Where does this scene take place? Act 3 scene 1

The king's castle called Forres.

What is Banquo's opinion of what has happened?

Banquo thinks Macbeth has done something wrong/evil to get the throne.

In his soliloquy, what suspicion and hope does Banquo reveal?

He suspects Macbeth has played fouly but he also thinks some of the prophecies came true before he was playing fouly

Look at the dialogue between Macbeth and Banquo; he has their relationship changed now that Macbeth is king? How has Macbeth's demeanor changed since his last scene?

Banquo now speaks up to Macbeth and now they are more distant towards each other. Their conversations are now more formal. Macbeth is now more haughty.

What do Banquo and Macbeth discuss?

Banquo and his son are going riding and they will be back for the feast.

Macbeth seems very interested in Banquo's travel plans. Why do you suppose that is?

He is very interested in Banquo's travel plans because he wants to know where and when he is going to Macbeth can make plans to kill him.

What does Macbeth mean when he says, "To be thus is nothing;/ but to be safely thus"?

Being king is nothing if i do not have that sense of security.

Why is Macbeth upset over the withes prophecy about Banquo?

I have gone through all of this for Banquo's son to be King.

How does Macbeth convince the murders to kill Banquo?

Macbeth convinces them that Banquo is their enemy.

Why is Banquo the only person Macbeth fears? What disturbs Macbeth about Banquo's character?

Macbeth fears Banquo's good virtues like his dauntless temper, wisdom and all of his positive qualities

What is it about the Witches' prophecies that frustrate Macbeth? Why does he feel his efforts to attain the throne may have been in vain? How does he regard Fate as inevitable?

He is frustrated because he won't ever have kids to pass the throne down too. He feels like his efforts are in vain because the prophecy was very vague. He doesn't know how long he will be king. He says he wants to fight Fate and anyone who gets in his way to keep the crown.

What does Lady Macbeth tell her husband?

Lady Macbeth tells him he needs to enjoy the dinner, the company, and the royalty.

What does Lady Macbeth know about the plot to kill Banquo?

Nothing.

How does Macbeth motivate the murderers to kill Banquo? What is Macbeth's justification for not performing the deed himself?

He asks if he can count on them and if he can count on them, he will pay them for their services. He also persuades them by saying they should want to kill the man who put them in poverty. He won't do it himself because he has mutual friends with Banquo and doesn't want to lose support.

What is the specific plan for Banquo's murder? Who else is to be killed in the plot?

They are to wait for directions away from the palace. It will happen when Banquo and Fleance return from he banquet. Fleance is to be killed as well.

Why must Fleance be killed when Banquo is killed?

Fleance is also a threat to his throne based on the prophecy made by the witches

How does Macbeth's use of hired murderers affect the development of his character in the play?

It shows his weakness and cowardness because he doesn't want to do it himself

What feelings about their security do both Lady Macbeth and Macbeth express early in this scene? What does Macbeth say about Duncan to illustrate his point?

Both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth think they are both still in danger. Macbeth says "we have scorched the snake, not killed it" meaning that Duncan has been killed but Macbeth is still in danger of losing the crown to Fleance.

What does Macbeth mean when he tells Lady Macbeth they must "make our faces vizards to our hearts,/Disguising what they are"? What earlier advice of Lady Macbeth's does he echo? What theme of the play does this line tie into?

He is saying they need to hide their true selves so nobody will suspect them. This echos when Lady Macbeth tells him they need to be the serpent under the rose while looking like the flower. This falls into the "fair is foul, foul is fair" theme.

What strong metaphor does Macbeth use to describe his mental state? What is he worried about? Is Lady Macbeth aware of his plans to resolve his worries?

He uses a scorpion metaphor because he is worried he may lose his crown to some who are still alive. Lady Macbeth is not aware of his plans to resolve his worries.

How have Macbeth and Lady Macbeth's roles changed from earlier in the play?

They have switched roles. Lady Macbeth was the driving force and the one calling all the shots. Now Macbeth is the leader.

What happens when the murders attack Banquo and Fleance?

They kill Banquo, but Fleance gets away.

What causes the murderers to leave the job only half done?

The first murderer put the light out and they then couldn't see what they were doing.

What are Banquo's dying words? How might they relate back to the prophecies?

Banquo's dying words were directed at Fleance. He told Fleance to get away and avenge him. This might relate to the prophecy because if Fleance can avenge his father's death, he will become king.

Why do they say the "best half" got away?

The real threat got away.

How does the scene begin? Act 3 scene 4

Plans for the dinner party, Lady Macbeth and Macbeth are calm and in control.

How does Macbeth react when he sees the first murder in the door way?

He is happy to see them there but will be upset to hear Fleance is still alive.

How does Macbeth respond to the news of Fleance's escape? What details does the first murderer reveal about Banquo's death's?

He says he would've felt safe if Banquo and Fleance were killed but Fleance is still alive so he won't heel safe. The murderer says he slit Banquo's throat, stabs him 20 times and leaves him in a ditch.

Who enters and takes Macbeth's seat?

Banquo's ghost.

What is Macbeth's initial reaction to spotting Banquo's ghost?

He asks "which one of you are doing this to me?"