| what characters are introduced in scene 1 | the three witches |
| how would you interpret the line “fair is foul, and foul is fair” | things are not what they seem to be |
| what specific plan is mentioned | to meet with macbeth after the battle is lost or won |
| what three men are leading troops into battle against duncan | macdonwaldking of norway(sweno)thane of cawdor |
| who defeated and killed macdonwald | macbeth |
| what is to be the thane of cawdor’s punishment for his traitorous activities | he will be killed |
| who will receive his title | macbeth |
| what revenge does the witch plan for the sailor whose wife wouldn’t share her chestnuts? | he will not be able to sleep for 81 days, bad weather when they set sail, thirsty all the time |
| what do we learn about the witches’ power | they can influence bad things like manipulate the weather, can’t kill |
| what predictions do the witches make macbeth | they predict he will be the thane of cawdor, thane of glamis, then king later |
| why does macbeth react the way he does to the witches’ predictions | he doesn’t believe it, scared, wants to know more |
| what predictions do the witches make for banquo | he won’t be king, but he will be father of kings |
| what is the “horrid image” of which macbeth speaks | he has thoughts of killing the king in order to be king |
| what further reward does macbeth hope to receive from duncan | the throne |
| who is named to succeed duncan to the throne | malcolm, oldest son of duncan |
| how does macbeth react to the announcement | upset about malcolm getting the throne |
| where is duncan to spend the night | inverness (macbeth’s castle) |
| what does the nature of the letter reveal about macbeth’s relationship with his wife | they have a good relationship but she doesn’t want him to become ignorant of being a king or prideful |
| how does lady macbeth characterize her husband | ambitious but doesn’t have the determination |
| why does lady macbeth call upon the spirits to “unsex” her | to take away the woman emotions because they make her weak, make her a man |
| what warning does lady macbeth give to macbeth | look innocent so that it doesn’t look like they are going to kill the king |
| what action takes place in scene 6 | they want to find the thane of cawdor, duncan arrives at macbeth’s castle |
| how does lady macbeth greet duncan | nice, welcomes him, thanks him for everything |
| In his soliloquy what reasons does Macbeth give for not wanting to kill Duncan? | fears the consequences, he’s his kings-man & host, he’s innocent and a good king |
| what reason against the murder does macbeth give lady macbeth | he doesn’t want to risk anything because he is the thane |
| what does lady macbeth imply about macbeth’s love for her | if he is so quick to go back and forth about killing duncan, would he go back and forth about loving her |
| what finally causes macbeth to decide to commit the murder | he will be able to blame it on duncan’s guards |
| what seems to be macbeth weakest character trait | moral ambivalence |
| An ASIDE is a speech spoken by a character apart from other characters. It cannot be heard by the other characters on the stage. What do such speeches reveal? | the characters inner thoughts to the audience but not to the characters |
macbeth act 1 study guide
July 24, 2019