English: Macbeth Study Guide

Why is Scotland at war at the opening of the play? Rebels have come and attacked them
What predictions do the witches make to Macbeth in Scene 3 of Act 1? Macbeth shall be named as Thane of Cawdor and then king
What prediction do the witches make to Banquo in the same scene? Banquo’s sons would be kings.
Who does Duncan name as heir to his throne? Malcolm
How do the murderers plan to place the blame on Duncan’s groom’s? They plan to run his blood on them and use their daggers.
Who accompanies Banquo at the opening of Act II? Fleance is the one who accompanies Banquo.
What is Macbeth’s hallucination before he murders Duncan? He sees hallucinations of a dagger.
How does Lady Macbeth signal that she has drugged the grooms? She rings a bell
What reasons does Lady Macbeth give for not committing the murder herself? Duncan resembled to much of her Father.
Whose daggers are used to commit the murder? They use the groom’s daggers
Why does Lady Macbeth return to the King’s bedchamber? To return the daggers and smear in Duncan’s blood on the grooms.
Where does the drunken porter imagine that he is? Hell
Why have Macduff and Lennox come to Inverness? To wake up and get the King
What happens to Duncan’s grooms? Macbeth kills them
Why do Duncan’s sons decide to leave Scotland? To be safe from the murders
What is Macbeth told by the Apparitions? That Macduff is coming back to ruin him, no man born from woman can do him harm.
What does Macbeth learn about “Banquo’s issue” (descendants). The future kings will be descendants of Banquo.
What crime is Macduff accused of by Macbeth? He is accused of being a traitor of Macbeth’s reign.
Why does Malcolm at first suspect Macduff of treachery? People thought they were good friends; that Macduff was a good and honest man.
Why does Macduff blame himself for the death of his wife and children? Because he had left them
Which murders does Lady Macbeth allude to in the sleepwalking scene? The doctor and the gentle woman
What gesture do the nurse and the doctor observe Lady Macbeth make? She rubs her hands as if to wash them
What instruction does the Doctor give the nurse? She needs help from the Priest
Who are the leaders of the rebellion against Macbeth? Siward, Malcolm, and Macduff
How does Malcolm bring Birnam Wood to Dunsinane? Soldiers are carrying branches and limbs to make the woods look like they are moving
How do Macbeth’s followers react to the arrival of the English Army? They are frightened.
What does Macduff reveal to Macbeth that shows that Macbeth does not love a “charmed life” after all? He says Macduff was “cut out” of his mother.
Why does Macbeth refuse to yield? He is afraid of being captured.
How does Lady Macbeth die? She kills herself.
How does Malcolm reward his thanes? He makes them all earls.
What prophecy does Banquo recall at the opening of Act III? That since one of the witches prophecies had come true; all would be true.
What is Macbeth’s reason for having Banquo murdered? He believes Banquo’s heirs will be next to the throne.
What reasons does Macbeth give the hired assassins for their taking revenge? Banquo had done them wrong in the past
According to Macbeth, why is he unable to use his power to get rid of Banquo? Because Banquo is his best friend and they have the same friends. He doesn’t want to look bad.
Why is it important for Macbeth to have Fleance killed also? Because he is Banquo’s first son. He would be the first heir to the throne.
How many times does the Ghost of Banquo appear to Macbeth at the banquet? 2 times
Which of the Scottish nobles has refused to attend the feast at the palace? Macduff
What does Macbeth hope to learn from the weird sisters? He wonders what else he has to do to keep his crown.
How does Macbeth spy on his nobles> He has spies in their houses.
Why has Macduff left for England? To convince Malcolm to return to Scotland to dethrone Macbeth and restore peace.
August 14, 2019