Why might have Shakespeare chosen to end the first scene with the following lines?Fair is foul, and foul is fair. | The couplet sums up the mood of the scene |
The witches predict that which of the following will be in Macbeth’s future: | He will be Thane of Cawdor and then become king. |
Why might have Shakespeare used dialogue to deliver information about the events that took place during the battle rather than stage the scene? | It would be too hard to stage because of limited space and resources. |
A good description of the witches includes which of the following? | They are not of this world |
Macbeth and Banquo encounter the witches as they are standing in the heath. In what way does this affect the mood of the scene? | Because a heath is an open wasteland, the location enhances the eeriness of the scene. |
What is the central theme of Act I of the Tregedy of Macbeth? | betrayal and greed |
Macbeth and other Elizabethan plays represented a radical shift in English drama because they were | not about religious themes. |
Based upon the information in Act I, what appears to be Macbeth’s character flaw? | a hunger for power |
What important role do the witches play in Act I of Macbeth? | They foreshadow events. |
Based upon the information in Act I, what can you infer about King Duncan? | He places a high value on bravery and loyalty. |
Which of the following best describes Macbeth’s feelings about the possible assassination of King Duncan in Act I? | conflicted |
Based on the sililoquy quoted below from Act I, why does Lady Macbeth think her husband Macbeth has a poor chance of achieving power on his own? | He is not ruthless enough. |
In what way is Lady Macbeth stronger than her husband? | She stands firm when Macbeth begins to waver in his deadly purpose. |
King Duncan names Macbeth as heir to the throne upon his death. | False |
How does Lady Macbeth treat King Duncan? | All previous |
At the end of Act I, Lady Macbeth urges her husband to pray for darkness to cover their murderous deed. | False |
Valor | boldness or determination in facing great danger, especially in battle; heroic courage; bravery |
Treason | the offense of acting to overthrow one’s government or to harm or kill its sovereign |
Liege | a feudal lord entitled to allegiance and service. |
Sovereign | a person who has supreme power or authority. |
In the following quote from Macbeth, paraphrase the character’s meaning.Macbeth: But here, upon this bank and shoal of time, We’d jump the life to come. But in these cases We still have judgment here; that we but teach Bloody instructions, which, being taught, return To plague th’ inventor: this even-handed justice Commends th’ ingredients of our poisoned chalice To our own lips. | Macbeth is concerned that he’s going to be the instrument that teaches evil. |
Paraphrase the following dialogue delivered by King Duncan. There’s no art To find the mind’s construction in the face: He was a gentleman on whom I built An absolute trust. | you can’t judge a book by its cover |
Paraphrase the last line of the following quote from dialogue delivered by Macbeth: I am settled, and bend up Each corporal agent to this terrible feat. Away, and mock the time with fairest show: False face must hide what the false heart doth know. | The face must wear a mask to hide the heart’s hidden ambition. |
In ACT II, Scene ii, Lady Macbeth’s purpose in drugging the servants is | so they will sleep through King Duncan’s murder. |
Which of the following characterizes the line from Macbeth, “This night’s great business into my dispatch” as blank verse? | It has ten syllables with the stress falling on the second syllable of each foot. |
Which of the following symbols in ACT II, Scene ii, signals that the murder has been accomplished? | the owl’s scream and the crickets’ cries |
After the murder, Macbeth declares that he will “sleep no more” because he believes | his conscience will never let him rest. |
In Act II, what does Macbeth really mean when he indicates that the blood on his hands will redden all the seas? | It is a comment on his profound guilt. |
In the Old Man’s dialogue in Act II, Scene iv, which of the following symbolizes King Duncan? | the horse or falcon |
When Lady Macbeth says, “My hands are of your color, but I shame/To wear a heart so white,” she means that | her hands are red with King Duncan’s blood, but, unlike her husband, she is not afraid. |
For what reason may Shakespeare have made Banquo the last person Macbeth sees before he murders King Duncan? | Banquo, who is loyal to the king, represents Macbeth’s last chance to do what is right and call off his murderous plan. |
What reason does Lady Macbeth give for not killing King Duncan herself? | She says the king looked like her father as he slept. |
To creep through the castle without awakening anyone, Macbeth’s footsteps must be | stealthy |
As soon as Macbeth commits murder, the weight of his conscience becomes | palpable |
The porter says, “Faith, here’s an equivocator, that could swear in both the scalse against either scale,” describing | a liar who could make two contradictory statements and swear that both statements were true. |
Which of the following choices is the best to paraphrase the following quote:Macbeth: I think not of them. Yet, when we can entreat an hour to serve,We would spend it in some words upon that business,If you would grant the time. | If you have some time, could you speak with me about what we’ve just been told by the witches. |
In Act II, scene ii the following dialogue takes place between Lady Macbeth and Macbeth. How do these exchanges affect the mood of the play?Lady Macbeth – My husband!Macbeth – I have done the deed. Didst thou not hear a noise?Lady M – I heard the owl scream and the crickets cry. / Did not you speak?Macbeth – When?Lady M – NowMacbeeth – As I descended?Lady M – Ay.Macbeth – Hark! / Who lies i’ th’ second chamber?Lady M – Donalbain.Macbeth – This is a sorry sight. | The short choppy sentences quicken the pace heightening the tension of the scene. |
According to Macbeth, sleep helps the body to heal and relaxes the mind. | True |
Ross notes that it is dark outside when it should be light. What does this fact signify? | The world is in chaos. |
Which of the following authors wrote Macbeth? | William Shakespeare |
Which of the following is a synonym for “predominance”? | prevalence |
The main purpose of Act III seems to be | a vehicle in which to expose Macbeth’s mounting troubles. |
What is the most likely reason Banquo suspects Macbeth of murdering Duncan? | The predictions of the witches seem to be coming true. |
What threat does Banquo pose to Macbeth? | Banquo knows too much and can implicate Macbeth in Duncan’s murder. |
What is the most likely reason that Banquo doesn’t tell anyone about the witches’ predictions? | He doesn’t want to cast suspicion on himself. |
When Lady Macbeth claims, “Nought’s had, all’s spent / Where our desire is got without content..” she means that | she and Macbeth have risked everything but have gained no happiness because they are living in fear. |
The following lines, spoken by Lady Macbeth, are written in rhyme. What is the most likely reason Shakespeare may have done this?”Nought’s had, all’s spent / Where our desire is got without content; / Tis safer to be that which we destroy/ Then by destruction dwell in doubtful joy. | to indicate that this is a turning point for Lady Macbeth |
To persuade the two murderers to agree to kill Banquo, Macbeth tells them | that Banquo has been the cause of all their misery. |
What is the most logical reason that Macbeth sends a third murderer to join the first two in the killing of Banquo? | Macbeth has become terribly suspicious and trusts no one; he sends the third murderer to make certain that the job gets done. |
In Act III, scene iv, Macbeth says to Lady Macbeth, “We are yet but young in deed.” What does he mean? | They are new to the ways of crime. |
During the banquet Macbeth’s guilt is causing him to imagine he sees Banquo’s ghost. This is an example of | internal conflict. |
When Macbeth says, “Upon my head they placed a fruitless crown / And put a barren scepter in my gripe…” he means | he has no male heir. |
Which is the most likely reason Lady Macbeth makes excuses for her husband’s behavior at the banquet? | All answers may be correct. |
Which of the following is an attempt at comic relief? | Macbeth complains that dead men used to stay dead. |
By the end of Act III, how has Macbeth changed since the beginning of the play? | He is now quick to use treachery to suit his ends. |
Which of the following is an external conflict? | Macbeth wants Banquo dead, so he hires men to murder him. |
To protect Banquo, Macbeth is paying servants in everyone’s household to spy for him | False |
Macbeth fears Banquo’s ______ heart. A synonym is fearless. | dauntless |
Banquo’s allegiance to King Duncan was _____. A synonym for this word is permanent. | indissoluble |
Macbeth Acts 1,2, and 3 Study Guide
August 31, 2019