| What is the point of the first scene literally and in reference to the whole play? | Literally the witches are deciding when they should meet again .This seen sets the mood for the entire play and introduces several major motives; the witches (Supernatural influences in the play), The idea of fair being foul and the stormy faith of Scotland. The main character, Macbeth, is also introduced by name |
| What does Duncan call Macbeth when he hears Macbeth defeated Macdowald? | He calls him “Valiant cousin! Worthy Gentlemen!” This is ironic, being said to the man who will be his murder. |
| Who is sentenced to death? | The Thane of Cawdor is sentenced to death. |
| What do the witches predict in Act I, for Macbeth? for Banquo? | They predict that Macbeth will be thane of Cawdor, and eventually the King. They predict that Banquo that he will be “lesser than Macbeth, and greater, not so happy, and yet happier ” And that his descendants will be Kings although he will not be one. |
| What news does Ross bring Macbeth? | Ross tells Macbeth that Macbeth now holds the title of the Thane of Cawdor |
| Banquo,like Macbeth,is surprised that the witches have predicted Macbeth’s new title/ He is, however, leery. What does he say about the motives of the “instruments of darkness”? | He says that they often tell of good things which may happen, without telling the bad consequences |
| Malcolm describes Cawdor’s last moments before execution. What is Duncan’s reply? | You can’t tell what is in a person’s heart by looking at his face |
| Macbeth says, “Stars hide your fires, let not light see my black and deep desires.” What are Macbeth’s desires? | He now desires to be the King and he realizes that something will have to be done with the present King and his sons before his desires can become reality. |
| After Lady Macbeth reads the letter, what does she tell us is her opinion of Macbeth, and how does she plan to help him? | In short, Lady Macbeth thinks that Macbeth could be a good king, but he lacks the hardheartedness which would allow him to get to the position she will talk him into it. |
| What is Lady Macbeth’s “prayer” to the spirits after she learns Duncan is coming? | She wants to be filled with cruelty, given a hard heart and the thick blood necessary to do what has to be done in order to make Macbeth king. |
| What advice does Lady Macbeth give Macbeth when he arrives home? | She tells him that he must learn to look innocent even when his heart is full of evil. He has to learn to hide his true feelings. |
| What are Macbeth’s arguments to himself against killing Duncan? | Macbeth is Duncan’s Kingsman and his subject Duncan is a good king and Virtues man; he has done no particular evil. Duncan is a popular King, and his death will bring sorrow and unrest upon Scotland. |
| What arguments does Lady Macbeth use to convince Macbeth to commit the murder? | She tells him not to be a coward, not to say later than he “could have been” when he could “be” King. She tells him to be a man and go get what he wants. She says if she has made the promise to do this that she would have killed her own baby to carry forth with her promise. |
| Whats Lady Macbeth’s plan? | She will drug the Kings groom(guards) Macbeth then will go into the Kings room and murder him in his sleep. |
Macbeth Act I
August 16, 2019