English – Macbeth

In which scene is Macbeth first mentioned? Act 1, scene 1.
In which scene is Macbeth first seen? Act, scene 3.
Which scene is immediately after Duncan’s death? Act 2, scene 2.
In which scene is Banquo killed? Act 3, scene 3.
Give the scenes where the witches make appearances. (4) Act 1 scene 1, act 1 scene 3, act 3 scene 5 and act 4 scene 1.
What are the three prophecies (quote) given by the witches in act 4 scene 1? “Macbeth, Macbeth, beware Macduff””none of woman born shall harm Macbeth””Macbeth shall never vanquish’d be until Great Birnam wood to high Dunsinane hill shall come against him.”
In which scene are Macduff’s family killed? Act 4 scene 2.
In which scene does Macduff promise to kill Macbeth? Act 4 scene 3.
In which scene does Lady Macbeth die? Act 5 scene 5.
In which scene does Macbeth die? Act 5 scene 8.
Give a quote from the witches in act 1 scene 1 which likens to a quote given by Macbeth in act 1 scene 3 (give this also). “Fair is foul and foul is fair” likens to Macbeth’s “so foul and fair a day I have not seen”
Give a quote and the scene which hints that Lady Macbeth has had a child. “I have given suck, and know how tender tis to love the babe that milks me” – act 1 scene 7
Give a quote and the scene where Lady Macbeth admits that Macbeth does not have the nature to kill Duncan. What is the significance of the word “milk” in this? “He is too full o’ the milk of human kindness to catch the nearest way” – act 1 scene 5″milk” suggests that he is not as masculine as suggested, which she will use to persuade him in act 1 scene 7.
Give a quote and the scene where Macbeth wishes to steal the throne after Malcolm is named Prince of Cumberland. What is the significance of the light and dark mentioned? “Stars hide your fires. Let not light see my black and deep desires” – act 1 scene 4The light is his conscience, which juxtaposes with the black associated with the witches and his greed for power.
Give a quote and the scene where Lady Macbeth wants to rid herself of femininity in order to help kill Duncan. “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!” – act 1 scene 5
Give a quote from act 1 scene 7 of Lady Macbeth trying to persuade Macbeth to kill Duncan. “Screw your courage to the sticking place and we’ll not fail.”
What does Macbeth say to Lady Macbeth in act 1 scene 7 after she persuades him to kill Duncan? “Thy undaunted mettle should compose nothing but males.”
Give a quote from act 3 scene 1 which suggests Banquo suspects Macbeth. “Thou play’dst most foully for’t”
Give a quote and the scene where Lady Macbeth first doubts the action of killing Duncan. “Nought’s had, all’s spent”
Give a quote and the scene where Macbeth calls to the spirits of the darkness. “Come seeling night, scarf up the tender eye of pitiful day” – act 3 scene 2
Give the famous quote and scene from Lady Macbeth when she sleepwalks. Give the quote and scene which caused this vision. “Out, damned spot!” – act 5 scene 1″A little water clears us of this deed” – act 2 scene 2
What was Macbeth’s reaction to Lady Macbeth’s death? “She should have died hereafter”
Why could Macduff kill Macbeth (quote)? “Macduff was from his mother’s womb untimely ripped”
Which king was Macbeth performed for in August 1606? James I.
How did Shakespeare adapt the story of Macbeth to suit James I? In the real story, Banquo joined Macbeth in killing Duncan, but as Banquo is a descendent of James I he changed the character of Banquo.
What is the name of James I’s book opposing witchcraft? Daemonologie.
How does the phrase “two-fold balls and treble sceptres” in act 4 scene 1 refer to James I? Two-fold balls refers to his double coronation and treble sceptres refers to his rule over England, Scotland and Ireland.
Give a quote and the scene which gives reference to James I’s family remaining in power? In act 4 scene 1, the witches say that kings descended from Banquo will “stretch out to the crack of doom”.
Who did Shakespeare base Malcolm on? James’ idea of an ideal king outlined in his book ‘Basilikon Doron’.
What is femme coverte? Husbands in the early 17th century had control over their wives by law; marriage meant that they become a unit, the male being the dominant of the two.
What does king Duncan call Macbeth in act 1 scene 2? What is the significance of this? “O valiant cousin, worthy gentleman”Duncan acknowledges his noble status and confirms his masculinity as the king is the most masculine role a man can have.
Give a quote from act 1 scene 3 which shows Macbeth was not going to force himself to become king at this point. “If chance will have me king, why chance may crown me”
Give three reasons why Banquo was included in act 1 scene 3. .Shows Banquo as Macbeth’s best friend before his murder.Gives the prophecy that leads to his death.A witness – not a hallucination/Banquo will be suspicious of Macbeth when Duncan is murdered.
What does Lady Macbeth first refer to Macbeth as in act 1 scene 5? “Glamis thou art, and Cawdor”
Give a quote and the scene where Lady Macbeth tells Macbeth to not draw suspicion. “Look like th’innocent flower, but be the serpent under’t” – act 1 scene 5
Give an example of Lady Macbeth emasculating Macbeth in act 1 scene 7. “When you durst do it, then you were a man”
What is dramatic irony? When the audience knows something that the characters do not.
Give an example of Macbeth re-establishing his power in act 3 scene 2. “Be innocent of the knowledge, dearest chuck”
Which scene is the last where Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are seen together? Act 3 scene 4.
What is a fulcrum and which scene can be seen as the fulcrum in Macbeth? The pivotal point of a play – act 3 scene 4.
Where is Macduff at the start of act 4? In England, helping Malcolm.
What causes Lady Macduff to say “He loves us not” when talking of Macduff? He has left for England, leaving his family vulnerable and showing cowardice.
Before telling Macduff his family has been “savagely slaughtered”, where did Ross say they were? “at peace”.
What is a turncoat? Give an example. A character who puts up a facade – e.g. Lady Macbeth at the start of the play.
How can Lady Macbeth’s change in character be seen as Shakespeare being misogynistic? He may be implying that women cannot obtain power without going mad.
Give a quote from act 5 scene 1 showing Lady Macbeth’s guilt for the deaths of Macduff’s family. “The thane of Fife had a wife. Where is she now?”
What is prose? What kind of characters in Shakespearean works use it? Writing that follows the normal pattern of speech – less powerful characters tend to use it.
What is verse? What kind of characters in Shakespearean works use it? Writing that follows a particular rhyme or rhythm – characters with power or status used it.
In act 5 scene 1, is Lady Macbeth speaking in prose or verse and why? Prose – she has gone mad and lost her power over her husband.
What is blank verse and how can it be recognised? Writing that has no rhyme, but still uses iambic pentameter. Blank verse has a capital at the start of each line.
Give four reasons why Shakespeare shifts Lady Macbeth’s language to prose in act 5 scene 1. .Strips her of her social class (satisfying for the audience as her class cannot save her).Distances her from the witches, who talk in rhyme (showing their overarching power).Fall from grace – Aristotle’s theory for a successful tragedy.Blank verse shows control, which she has lost
Give two reasons why Lady Macbeth may be seen as a victim. .She is a victim of herself – she encouraged Macbeth, but only she is blaming her.As a 17th century woman she cannot control Macbeth so she isn’t responsible for him
Give a reason why Lady Macbeth may not be seen as a victim. She persuaded Macbeth to kill Duncan and she got what she wanted – she is queen.
Give a quote and the scene where Malcolm recognises Macbeth is unstable. “This tyrant, whose sole name blisters our tongues” – act 4 scene 3
What is the significance of Macbeth saying “life’s but a walking shadow” in act 5 scene 5? Life is all an act – once he is king no more, he will be forgotten – this pessimism is brought about by Lady Macbeth’s death.
What is the exposition (in general and in terms of Macbeth)? The introduction of characters, setting, events and key ideas. This would be act 1.
What is the inciting incident in Macbeth? When the witches tell the prophecies in act one scene 3.
What is the rising action in Macbeth? When some of the prophecies are coming true (Macbeth becomes Thane of Cawdor in act 1 scene 3) and Lady Macbeth is plotting to kill Duncan.
What is the climax in Macbeth? The murder of Duncan in act 2 scene 2.
What is the falling action in Macbeth? The events after the murder – Macbeth fails as king by becoming a tyrant and Lady Macbeth goes mad.
What is the denouement in Macbeth? Lady Macbeth dies (act 5 scene 5) and Macbeth is killed (act 5 scene 7).