Untitled Flashcards Set
Overview
Act 1 introduces the main characters and sets up the central themes of ambition, power, and fate. We meet Macbeth and Lady Macbeth, witness their moral struggles, and see the seeds of Macbeth's eventual downfall being planted.
Scene Summaries and Key Details
Scene 1: The Witches’ Prophecy
Setting: A desolate place with thunder and lightning.
Characters Introduced: The Three Witches.
Plot Points:
The witches plan to meet Macbeth after a battle.
Key quote: "Fair is foul, and foul is fair."
Themes: Supernatural, fate, ambiguity of morality.
Scene 2: The Battle Report
Setting: A camp near Forres.
Characters Introduced: King Duncan, Malcolm, Donalbain, Lennox, and the Captain.
Plot Points:
The Captain reports Macbeth’s bravery in battle, defeating the traitorous Macdonwald and the Norwegian forces.
Duncan orders the execution of the disloyal Thane of Cawdor and bestows the title on Macbeth.
Themes: Loyalty, honor, reward for bravery.
Scene 3: The Witches Meet Macbeth
Setting: A heath.
Characters: Macbeth, Banquo, The Witches.
Plot Points:
The witches hail Macbeth as Thane of Glamis, Thane of Cawdor, and future king.
Banquo is told his descendants will be kings, though he will not.
Ross and Angus arrive, confirming Macbeth’s new title.
Key quote: "If chance will have me king, why, chance may crown me."
Themes: Ambition, prophecy, free will vs. fate.
Scene 4: Duncan’s Praise
Setting: King Duncan’s castle at Forres.
Characters: Duncan, Macbeth, Banquo, Malcolm.
Plot Points:
Duncan expresses gratitude to Macbeth and Banquo.
Duncan names Malcolm as his heir (Prince of Cumberland).
Macbeth views this as an obstacle to his ambition.
Key quote: "Stars, hide your fires; Let not light see my black and deep desires."
Themes: Ambition, appearance vs. reality.
Scene 5: Lady Macbeth’s Ambition
Setting: Macbeth’s castle at Inverness.
Characters: Lady Macbeth, Macbeth (via letter).
Plot Points:
Lady Macbeth learns of the prophecy and resolves to help Macbeth achieve kingship.
She calls on spirits to "unsex" her, removing any feminine weakness.
Key quote: "Look like the innocent flower, but be the serpent under’t."
Themes: Gender roles, manipulation, ambition.
Scene 6: Duncan Arrives at Inverness
Setting: Outside Macbeth’s castle.
Characters: Duncan, Banquo, Lady Macbeth.
Plot Points:
Duncan arrives at Macbeth’s castle and comments on its pleasant atmosphere.
Lady Macbeth plays the gracious host.
Themes: Deception, appearance vs. reality.
Scene 7: Macbeth’s Doubts
Setting: Inside Macbeth’s castle.
Characters: Macbeth, Lady Macbeth.
Plot Points:
Macbeth wrestles with the moral implications of murdering Duncan.
Lady Macbeth chastises his hesitation, questioning his manhood.
She convinces him to proceed with the plan to kill Duncan.
Key quote: "I have no spur to prick the sides of my intent, but only Vaulting ambition."
Themes: Ambition, guilt, manipulation.
Key Characters
Macbeth: Brave and ambitious but morally conflicted.
Lady Macbeth: Ruthless and manipulative, pushing Macbeth toward regicide.
King Duncan: A kind and trusting king.
The Witches: Mysterious figures who manipulate Macbeth through prophecy.
Banquo: Loyal to Duncan, but curious about the witches' prophecy for himself.
Major Themes
Ambition and Power: Explored through Macbeth’s and Lady Macbeth’s desire for the throne.
Fate vs. Free Will: Questions whether Macbeth is destined to be king or if he controls his destiny.
The Supernatural: The witches symbolize the influence of dark forces.
Appearance vs. Reality: Many characters hide their true intentions.
Gender Roles: Lady Macbeth challenges traditional expectations of femininity.
Important Symbols
Blood: Represents guilt and violence.
The Weather: Stormy weather reflects chaos and the supernatural.
Light and Darkness: Symbolize good and evil, knowledge and ignorance.
Study Questions
How does the witches' prophecy affect Macbeth’s actions?
What motivates Lady Macbeth to push Macbeth toward murder?
How does Shakespeare present the theme of ambition in Act 1?
How does the relationship between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth evolve in this act?
What role do the witches play in shaping the events of Act 1?
Key Quotes for Analysis
"Fair is foul, and foul is fair." (Scene 1)
"All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, Thane of Glamis! Hail to thee, Thane of Cawdor! Hail to thee, that shalt be king hereafter!" (Scene 3)
"Come, you spirits that tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here." (Scene 5)
"I have no spur to prick the sides of my intent, but only Vaulting ambition." (Scene 7)
Flashcards for Review
Flashcard 1
Question: What do the witches say in Scene 1 that introduces the theme of ambiguity?
Answer: "Fair is foul, and foul is fair."
Flashcard 2
Question: Who reports Macbeth’s bravery in battle, and what title is he given as a reward?
Answer: The Captain reports his bravery; Macbeth is given the title Thane of Cawdor.
Flashcard 3
Question: What are the witches’ three titles for Macbeth in Scene 3?
Answer: Thane of Glamis, Thane of Cawdor, and future king.
Flashcard 4
Question: What internal conflict does Macbeth face in Scene 7?
Answer: He struggles with the moral implications of murdering Duncan.
Flashcard 5
Question: What is Lady Macbeth’s advice to Macbeth in Scene 5 about hiding his intentions?
Answer: "Look like the innocent flower, but be the serpent under’t."
Flashcard 6
Question: How does Duncan view Macbeth’s castle upon arrival?
Answer: He describes it as having a pleasant and welcoming atmosphere.
Flashcard 7
Question: What does Lady Macbeth call upon spirits to do in Scene 5?
Answer: She asks them to "unsex" her and fill her with cruelty.
Flashcard 8
Question: What key theme is explored through the witches’ prophecies?
Answer: Fate vs. free will.
Flashcard 9
Question: What does Macbeth say about his ambition in Scene 7?
Answer: "I have no spur to prick the sides of my intent, but only Vaulting ambition."
Flashcard 10
Question: Who is named Duncan’s heir in Scene 4, and how does Macbeth react?
Answer: Malcolm is named heir; Macbeth sees it as an obstacle to his ambition.
Study Guide Questions
1. Who will the witches meet?
· Macbeth
2. What does Malcom ask the Captain to tell Duncan?
· Malcolm asks the Captain to report on the battle and how it was going.
3. The captain says, “Till he unseamed him from the nave to the chops / And fixed his head upon our battlements.”
a) Who is the person doing the “unseaming”?
b) Macbeth is doing the unseaming
c) Who is the person being unseamed?
d) Macdonwald, the rebel leader, is the one being unseamed
4. What name does Macbeth deserve?
· Brave Macbeth
5. Who is the “most disloyal traitor?
· Thane of Cawdor
6. What title do they give to Macbeth?
· Thane of Cawdor
7. The witches greet Macbeth by three titles. What are the three:
· Thane of Cawdor
· Thane of Glamis
· King hereafter
8. What prophecy do the witches give to Banquo?
· The witches prophesy that Banquo will not be king, but his descendants will be kings.
9. What does Banquo say the “instruments of darkness” are capable of doing?
· Banquo says the “instruments of darkness” tell truths to lure people into harm by winning their trust with small truths before betraying them in more significant matters.
10. In Macbeth’s short soliloquy, he argues that the witches’ prophecy cannot be “ill” because why?
· It cannot be “ill” because part of the prophecy has already come true: he has been named Thane of Cawdor.
11. In this short soliloquy, he argues that it cannot be good. What images does he conjure that makes him feel frightened?
· Macbeth imagines a bloody dagger and the thought of murdering King Duncan, which fills him with fear and dread.
12. To satisfy his fear, Macbeth thinks it might be possible to be King without what?
· Macbeth thinks it might be possible to become King without taking any action or committing murder.
13. What reason does Banquo give to Ross and Angus for Macbeth’s odd behavior?
· Banquo explains that Macbeth is overwhelmed and distracted because he is deeply absorbed in thoughts about the witches' prophecy.
14. What does Malcom report Cawdor did at his execution?
· Malcolm reports that Cawdor confessed his treason, sought forgiveness, and faced his death with dignity and repentance.
15. “There is no art / To find the mind’s construction in the face. / He was a gentleman on whom I built / An absolute trust.”
a) Who is speaking?
b) King Duncan is speaking.
c) Paraphrase these lines:
d) There’s no way to read someone’s true intentions by their appearance. I fully trusted Cawdor, but he betrayed me.
16. For what does Duncan apologize to Macbeth?
· Duncan apologizes for not being able to adequately reward Macbeth for his great service and bravery in battle.
17. What does Duncan announce about Malcom?
· Duncan announces that Malcolm will be his heir and gives him the title Prince of Cumberland.
18. Duncan says that they should go to “Inverness.” What is Inverness?
· Inverness is Macbeth’s castle.
19. What does Macbeth say about the Prince of Cumberland?
· Macbeth sees Malcolm as an obstacle to his ambition and believes he must overcome or eliminate him to fulfill the witches' prophecy.
20. What is Lady Macbeth doing at the beginning of this scene?
· Lady Macbeth is reading a letter from Macbeth about the witches’ prophecy.
21. What is Lady Macbeth afraid stands in the way of Macbeth becoming king?
· Lady Macbeth fears that Macbeth is too kind and lacks the ruthless ambition needed to seize the throne.
22. “Come, you spirits / That tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here, / And fill me from the crown to the toe top-full / Of direst cruelty.”
a) Who is speaking?
b) Lady Macbeth is speaking.
c) Paraphrase the above lines.
d) Come, spirits that influence deadly thoughts, strip me of my femininity, and fill me entirely with ruthless cruelty.
23. What does Lady Macbeth compare Macbeth’s face to?
· Lady Macbeth compares Macbeth’s face to a book that reveals his inner thoughts.
24. What does Lady Macbeth instruct Macbeth to do?
· Lady Macbeth instructs Macbeth to act innocent and hide his true intentions while secretly being as deceitful and ruthless as a serpent.
25. Lady Macbeth tells Duncan that hosting him and his servants is nothing compared to what?
· Lady Macbeth says that hosting Duncan and his servants is nothing compared to their deep gratitude for the honors he has bestowed upon Macbeth.
26. In Macbeth’s soliloquy, what does Macbeth say is a consequence of murder?
· Macbeth says that committing murder might set off a cycle of violence and that the consequences will come back to haunt him (“Bloody instructions…return to plague the inventor”).
27. Macbeth says there are two ways that Duncan trusts him at this moment. What are they?
· Macbeth is Duncan’s host, who should ensure his safety, not harm him.
· Macbeth is Duncan’s kinsman and subject, so he should protect him
28. What does Macbeth say is the reason people will cry like crazy over Duncan’s murder?
· Macbeth says that Duncan is a virtuous and humble king whose death would evoke widespread grief and sorrow.
29. What reason does Macbeth give for not wanting to go through with the murder?
· Macbeth says he has no justification for the murder other than his own ambition, which could lead to his downfall.
30. Lady Macbeth compares Macbeth to the “poor cat” in some story. How is Macbeth like this cat?
· Macbeth is like the cat that wanted the benefits of catching fish but didn’t want to get its paws wet; he wants the throne but is unwilling to take the necessary risks.
31. What act does Lady Macbeth say she would go through with if she had sworn to do it?·
· Lady Macbeth says she would have killed her own nursing baby if she had sworn to do so, showing her determination and ruthlessness.
32. What does Lady Macbeth say she will do with Duncan’s chamberlains?
· Lady Macbeth says she will drug Duncan’s chamberlains so they will fall into a deep sleep and be blamed for the murder.
33. How does Macbeth say they will be able to get away with the murder?
· Macbeth says they will frame Duncan’s chamberlains by using their daggers and smearing them with Duncan’s blood to make them appear guilty.
