Macbeth Act 1 scene 1-7

When are the three witches to meet again and for what purpose? At the heath to see Macbeth.
What do you suppose is suggested by the line, “Fair is foul, and foul is fair”? Everything is not what it seems. Things that see well and good are not always what they seem.
What do we learn of Macbeth’s courage and skill? We learn that Macbeth is very gruesome but he is gruesome to prove his point.
What is Macbeth’s relationship to King Duncan? Cousins, or kingsmen.
Who had Macbeth and Banquo been fighting? They were fighting the Norwegians who were helped by the Thane of Cawdor.
What does King Duncan tell Ross to do? Ross is told to order the immediate execution of the Thane of Cawdor because Cawdor has been a traitor to Scotland.
As the scene begins, how does the conversation of the witches strike you? The conversation seems mischievous. You don’t really know what the witches are up to.
When Macbeth says, “So foul and fair a day I have not seen,” to what is he referring? What could be the dramatic irony in this line? Macbeth is referring to the battle. More importantly the foulness of death but the fairness of them winning the battle. The dramatic irony is that what is said earlier in the play and what the people live by is foul is fair and fair is foul.
Describe the physical apearence of the witches. They look withered and not like the other humans. They also have beards.
What prophecies do the Witches make regarding Macbeth? How does he react? The witches call him Thane of Cawdor. Macbeth is unsure of what to think.
What do the Witches see in the future for Banquo? They say that though he won’t be king himself and that he will be the father of kings. They also say that he will be more fortunate than Macbeth.
What does Banquo ask Macbeth about the experience? Banquo asks Macbeth if the experience actually happened.
As Banquo and Macbeth are discussing the prophecies, what news does Ross bring? Ross tells Macbeth that he is now the Thane of Cawdor.
As the thers talk, what does Macbeth’s aside reveal about his thinking? It reveals that he is thinking about killing the King and that he is letting the prophecies get to his head.
How does Banquo’s comment support the “Fair is foul and foul is fair” theme? Witches are foul, but they tell the truth which is fair.
What does Macbeth mean in his aside about two truths being prologue to the imperial theme? The Witches told him the truth twice and it’s justt beginning because he will be King.
What is Macbeth’s emotional state when he hears the news? Macbeth is distraught because he knows that if he wants to be King he has to kill King Duncan.
To fully understand Macbeth’s feelings you must visualize what is happening on stage. What is occuring? Macbeth is thinking that he has to kill the King but he doesn’t want to think that because you weren’t supposed to think that. At this point he is kind of scared of himself.
Why was the old Thane of Cawdor exeuted? The old Thane of Cawdor was executed because he was a traitor and he was convicted of treason.
What is the meaning of the plant metaphor? See if you can spot further plant references. It is saying that he has “planted” Macbeth and he will work to make him grow.
What news does the King impart to Macbeth and what is Macbeth’s reaction to the news? The King says that his eldest son Malcon, who is the Prince of Cumberland, will be the next King. Macbeth is beginning to think of the prediction to be King and he begins to think about what need to happen.
In his last speech in this scene, what does Macbeth reveal? Macbeth reveals that he will do whatever it takes to make himself King.
After Lady Macbeth finishes reading the letter, what fear about her husband does she express? The comment creates a link between Lady Macbeth and the Witches. This expresses the fear of Lady Macbeth contributing, along with the Witches, to Macbeth’s downfall.
When she says, “Hie thee hither,” what is it that she plans to do? She wants to convince Macbeth to kill the King. She tells him her plan.
How does the news about King Duncan’s expected arrival affect her? What is she planning? She is surprised because shewasn’t warned but yet she is happy because it is the perfect opprotunity. She plans to kill King Duncan by stabbing him.
Why does Lady Macbeth pray to be unsexed? She wanted to kill King Duncan but to not feel guilty. She wants to act more like a man so she will be able to kill. She wants no sensitivity or feelings.
In what way does Lady Macbeth’s advice to Macbeth relate to the “fair is foul” theme? She tells Macbeth to look innocent. To look welcoming but then turn around and stab him.
What impression does Lady Macbeth make in Act 1 Scene 6? She appears to be happy and honored to have King Duncan over for dinner.
After saying that if the deed is to be done it must be done quickly, what arguments doe Macbeth raise for not doing it? Macbeth says that he has been honored and does not want to waste the honor away so quickly. He also says that anyone who kills King Duncan is not a man.
What does he finally conclude? Macbeth finally concludes that the only thing making him want to kill King Duncan is the prospect that he would be King.
What does Macbeth decide before he speaks to Lady Macbeth? Macbeth decides that if he is going to do it he needs to do it now. It’s now or never.
What does Lady Macbeth say in an attempt to goad her husband into the murder? She questioned her love for him and asks if he is even a man.
Macbeth’s responce to her about what a man may dare is frequently quoted. What is his meaning? He says that if a man does not kill his friend then a coward does the killing for him.
What is the point of Lady Macbeth’s baby imagery? Note the many times imags of babies and mothers are presented in this play. It adds to the dramatic irony. It adds tenderness and sincerity which is quickly turned into evil.
August 8, 2019