| Witch Two says “By the pricking of my thumb, Something wicked this way comes.” Who arrives? | Macbeth Arrives |
| What is Macbeth’s attitude towards the witches this time? | Macbeth’s attitude towards them is demanding. |
| What 4 things do the witches show Macbeth? What does each show/say? | 1. a helmeted head covered in armor- this says beware of Macduff.2. Bloody Baby- This says no man born of a women will ever kill Macbeth3. Young children wearing a crown holding a tree- says until birnum wood moves five or six miles. He will never be defeated.4. Line of kings and the last one is Banquo holding a mirror- says that banquet lineage will be on the throne for several generations. |
| Explain the paradox of the apparitions | Paradox is a contradiction, he isn’t happy he is constantly worried. Also he had to kill his best friend and the king. He thinks one thing is gonna happen then the other thing happens. He believes he is invincible. |
| Macbeth says (about the witches), “Infected be the air whereon they ride, And damned all those that trust them!” What is Macbeth, in effect, saying about himself? | He is mad because he is trusting them. |
| Where is Macduff? Why isn’t he with his family? | Macduff is in England. He is meeting with Malcolm and king. he is trying to get them to build an army. Then return to Scotland to reclaim the throne. |
| What attitudes emerge from Lady Macduff’s characterization? | She is aggravated Macduff left them. He has left them unprotected. She doesn’t know if he is a traitor or trying to save Scotland. |
| Who is the messenger? | Hecate |
| Why does Macbeth have Macduff’s family and servants killed? | The first sign that he will do anything to anyone who gets in his way. |
| What dramatic elements emerge at the beginning of Scene 3? | Macduff explains he has come for help to Scotland. Malcolm believes that Macduff is here on half of Macbeth. Macduff would have never left his family in such danger if he didn’t know Macbeth wouldn’t harm them. |
| Why does Malcolm test Macduff? | Malcolm shows he is wise. Father taught him well. |
| What news does Ross bring to Macduff? | His family has been killed. |
| What does Malcolm tell Macduff to do with his grief? | Take it and use it as energy for revenge and destroy Macbeth |
| What does Malcolm resolve by the end of Act 4? | Malcolm is returning to Scotland with an army provided by King James. |
| Why does Macbeth want Banquo and Fleance dead? | Because the witches fortune could come true for Banquo (his sons to become kings) and Macbeth doesn’t want them to have power because it is a threat to Macbeth’s power (he doesn’t want rivals.) |
| What is Macbeth’s plan for killing Banquo and Fleance? | He hires two murderers to ambush them on the way back home from the journey |
| Does Macbeth’s plan for killing Banquo and Fleance work? Explain. | No, they kill Banquo but Fleance escapes |
| Macbeth says “The worm that’s fled/ Hath nature that in time will venom breed, / No teeth for the present.” What does he mean? | Fleance that escaped, but will be trouble later |
| Who or What does Macbeth see at the banquet table? | A ghost of Banquo |
| How does Lady Macbeth cover for Macbeth at the banquet? | she said that he has had an illness for a long time which makes him hallucinate– and it gets worse when he’s tired |
| Who else is missing from the banquet, besides Banquo? | Macduff |
| Macbeth says, ” I am in blood/ Stepped in so far that should I wade no more, / Returning were as tedious as go o’er.” What does he mean? | keep going with what he planned because going back would be just as hard as going on |
| What does Hecate want the witches to do? | make a spell… to keep drawing Macbeth on till they destroy him completely |
| What does Lennox think about Macbeth? | he is a tyrant, who is ruining the country |
| What does Lennox think about Fleance? | if he were in Macbeth’s prison he would be dead by now |
| What does Lennox think about Duncan’s sons? | they are safe where they are; and if they were in Macbeth’s prison they would be dead by now |
| What is Macbeth’s lie to Banquo about the witches’ prediction? | He hasn’t thought about it |
| What is the signal Lady Macbeth is to give Macbeth to let him know that she has taken care of the guards? | Ringing a Bell |
| What excuse does Lady Macbeth give for not killing Duncan herself? | He looked to much like her Father |
| Why is Macbeth unable to say “Amen” at the end of a prayer he hears? | He has a guilty conscience that won’t let him say it |
| Why won’t Macbeth take the daggers back to the scene of the crime? | He can’t look at what he has done |
| Who was knocking on the palace door? | Macduff and Lennox |
| How does Lennox describe the night? | Unruly, and Strange events: Chimney blown down; Owl screeched; earthquake; and ghostly voices were heard |
| What is Macbeth’s response to Lennox’s description of the night? | Twas a rough night |
| What does Macduff discover? | Duncan is dead |
| Macduff says to Lady Macbeth, “O gentle lady, ‘Tis not for you to hear what i can speak. The repetition, in a woman’s ear, Would murder as it fell.” What is ironic about this? | She already knew he was dead, because she planned it |
| What excuse does Macbeth give for killing the guards? | Because he was in a grief stricken rage |
| What is the real reason Macbeth killed the guards? | To keep them from talking |
| Why do Malcolm and Donalbain flee? | So that no one has accusations. Malcolm is next in line for the throne; and they suspect Macbeth murdered the King and feared they might be next to be killed or next to be blamed for the murder |
| Why does Ross not believe that Malcolm and Donalbain are responsible for Duncan’s murder? | It made no sense that they would kill their father because they loved him very much |
| What is the point of the first scene in reference to the whole play? | It sets an evil over the whole play; they are going to bring about Macbeth’s destruction |
| What does Duncan call Macbeth when he hears that Macbeth has defeated Macdonwald? | A valiant cousin, worthy gentleman |
| Who is sentenced to death? | Thane of Cawdor |
| What do the witches predict in Act 1, Scene 3 for Macbeth? For Banquo? | Macbeth as Thane of Cawdor, and king. Banquo is lesser than Macbeth yet greater, he won’t be king but his sons will. |
| What news does Ross bring Macbeth? | The battle is over and Duncan bestowed him the Thane of Cawdor in addition to having the Thane of Glamis |
| What does Banquo say about the “instrument of darkness”? | tell us truth to win us over, and give us little victories/rewards to lead us to greater destruction |
| Macbeth says “Stars hide your fires/ Let light see my black desires” what desires is he talking about? | his desire to take over, be king, and get more power |
| After Lady Macbeth reads his letter, what does she say about her husband and how does she plan to “help” him? | that he is not ruthless enough to take control of what he wants; and she will talk him into it |
| What is Lady Macbeth’s prayer to the spirits after she learns Duncan is coming? | for the spirits to make her as cruel and ruthless as she can be |
| What advice does Lady Macbeth give Macbeth when he arrives home? | be the perfect host and act innocent but be ready to strike when needed |
| What are Macbeth’s reasons for why he should not kill Duncan? | Duncan is Macbeth’s king, relative, and guest |
| What arguments does Lady Macbeth use to convince Macbeth to commit the murder? | she questions Macbeth’s manhood: man or mouse? And there is no way they can fail |
| What is Lady Macbeth’s plan? | drug the guards, kill Duncan, and frame the guards by using their daggers and put Duncan’s blood on them |
Combo with “Act 4 Macbeth Study Guide” and 1 other
July 1, 2019