QUOTES | … |
The Prince of Cumberland! That is a step/on which I must fall down, or else o’erleap. (Act I) | Macbeth, Malcolm is now the prince of Cumberland! To become king myself, I’m either going to have to step over him or give up, because he’s in my way |
O never/Shall sun that morrow see! (Act I) | Lady Macbeth, Duncan will not live to see another day |
Look like the innocent flower,/but be the serpent under’t. (Act I) | Lady Macbeth, encouraging Macbeth to be more ruthless |
Fair is foul and foul is fair. (Act I) | Witches, things are not as they appear |
Make thick my blood, / Stop up th’ access and passage to remorse (Act I) | Lady Macbeth, she’s asking to become emotionally strong like a man in order to do these things that she wants to do |
My hands are of your color, but I shame / To wear a heart so white (Act II) | Lady Macbeth, She is just as guilty as Macbeth but does not feel remorse |
Is this a dagger which I see before me? (Act II) | Macbeth, he is contemplating Duncan’s death and guilt is already taking hold of him |
“the worm that’s fled / Hath nature that in time will venom breed, / No teeth for th’ present.” (Act III) | Macbeth, talking about Fleance and from Fleance will come kings |
O, treachery! Fly, good Fleance, fly, fly, fly. (Act III) | Banquo, telling Fleance to run away because the murderers are after him as well |
Gentle my lord, sleek o’er your rugged looks; / Be bright and jovial among your guests tonight. (Act III) | Lady Macbeth, Come on, relax, dear. Put on a happy face and look cheerful and agreeable for your guests tonight. |
We are yet but young in deed. (Act III) | Macbeth, he and Lady Macbeth are still beginners when it comes to crime |
Act I Questions | … |
What is the main theme of Act I of The Tragedy of Macbeth? | Macbeth defeats Thane of Cawdor, becomes Thane of Cawdor, hears a prediction that he will become king from the witches, his wife decides they will kill Duncan. |
Before Macbeth makes his first appearance, what do we learn about him? | We learn that he had defeated the Thane of Cawdor, pleased the king, and become Thane of Cawdor. |
What are the elements of a tragedy? | Features noble or out-standing protagonist, emphasizes human greatness, arouses pity, fear, awe, and ends unhappily with destruction of hero |
Where does the play take place? | Scotland |
Why is King Duncan so grateful to Macbeth? | He has defeated the Thane of Cawdor who had become an enemy to the king |
Define Dramatic Irony. | the full significance of a character’s words or actions are clear to the audience or reader although unknown to the character. |
What is Macbeth’s character flaw? | Ambition, seeking more power |
Why does King Duncan decide to make Macbeth the Thane of Cawdor? | Because he has defeated the Thane of Cawdor who was an enemy of the king |
When Macbeth receives his new title of Thane of Cawdor, how does Banquo react? | He is shocked and can’t believe the witches were right |
What can you infer about King Duncan? What does he value in his thanes? | He values loyalty above all else |
Why does Macbeth have doubts about killing Duncan? | Because Duncan has been cool to him and he is also worried what would happen if he got caught |
The numbered side notes in The Tragedy of Macbeth help readers understand which aspect of the play? | Help you understand difficult terms or phrases used during Shakespeare’s writing |
Why does Lady Macbeth think Macbeth has little chance of becoming king? | Because he is too kind and good to be ambitious |
What crime did the Thane of Cawdor commit? | Sold secrets to the Norwegians, treason |
Near the end of Act I, why does Macbeth express doubt about murdering the king ? | He worries about getting caught |
When Macbeth begins to waver in his deadly purpose, what does Lady Macbeth do? | She tells him that she’s doing it anyway |
In Act I, Lady Macbeth’s remark that her husband is “too full o’ th’ milk of human kindness” indicates what? | She thinks he is too nice to go after the crown |
What important role do the witches play in Act I? | They plant the idea in Macbeth’s head that he could king |
The annotations in The Tragedy of Macbeth are helpful to the reader in what way? | They help the reader understand what is going on |
Act II Questions | … |
In Act II, Scene ii, what is Lady Macbeth’s purpose in drugging the servants? | So that they aren’t awake or aware of what happens during the night |
In Act II, why does Macbeth declare he will “sleep no more”? | Because he has killed Duncan and feels guilty |
What does Macbeth really mean when he indicates that the blood on his hands will redden all the seas? | Because the act that he has committed is so monumental that there is not enough water on the earth to wash him clean of the deed |
What reason does Lady Macbeth give for not killing King Duncan herself? | She kept hearing noises and got scared and then said he looked like her father so she couldn’t do it |
What does Macbeth mean when he says he will “sleep no more”? | His conscience will not allow him to sleep |
What does Lady Macbeth mean when she says to Macbeth, “My hands are of your color, but I shame / To wear a heart so white”? | She is just as guilty but Macbeth needs to man up and stop feeling so guilty |
The porter’s complaining is ironic because _____________. | He is complaining about what being drunk does to you but he is drunk haha |
As soon as the murder becomes known, why do Malcolm and Donalbain flee Scotland? | They fear for their life (also they are worried they will be blamed for the murder) |
The natural disturbances that continue all night—including the screaming and murderous owl, chimneys being blown down, and Duncan’s horses turning wild— symbolize what? | That Macbeth has upset nature but killing the king, things are not as they should be |
Who is afraid of “daggers in men’s smiles” and of being killed? | Donalbain |
Why do Ross and Macduff think King Duncan’s sons have killed their father? | Because they ran away |
At the end of Act II, how does Macduff emphasize his opposition to Macbeth? | He does not attend the coronation of Macbeth |
Act III Questions | … |
At the beginning of Act III, Macbeth learns that Banquo will not be returning to the castle until after dark. Why is this good news for him? | Because he now has time to plot Banquo’s murder and tell the murderers the plan and catch Banquo at a bad time |
Why does Macbeth decide to kill Banquo? | Because the witches say that Banquo will never be king but his heirs will be kings and Macbeth really isn’t in the mood for any more competition |
Why does Macbeth send along a third murderer to join the first two in killing Banquo? | To make sure it would happen |
When Macbeth hears that Fleance has escaped the murderers, how does he react? | He is angry and pretty crazy |
Why does Macbeth begin to act so oddly at the banquet? | He sees Banquo’s ghost |
During the banquet, how does Lady Macbeth explain away her husband’s behavior? | She says his behavior is nothing new |
When Macbeth begins talking to Banquo’s ghost, how does Lady Macbeth react? | It’s normal he’s just having a fit |
How does Hecate intend to ensure Macbeth’s downfall? | By making him over confident |
At the end of Act III, Macbeth plans to visit the witches once more. What does he want to learn? | He wants to know if he can continue being king and about his future and his reign |
How has Macbeth changed between the beginning of Act I and the end of Act III? | He has gone from being a Noble Thane to a murdering king consumed by ambition and guilt |
Vocabulary | … |
Surmise | Imaginings, speculation |
Imperial and Sovereign | Of an empire; having supreme authority |
Valor | Marked courage or bravery |
Liege | Relating to the relationship between a feudal superior and a vassal |
Treason | Betrayals of one’s country or oath of loyalty |
Perturbation | Anxiety; mental uneasiness |
Equivocate | To use terms that have two or more meanings to mislead purposely or decieve |
Augment | Make greater, enlarge |
Predominance | Superiority |
Palpable | Able to be touched or felt, clear to the mind, plain to see |
Stealthy | Behaving, done, or made in a cautious manner, as to not be seen or heard |
Predominant | Foremost, powerful |
Malevolence | Ill will, spitefulness |
Indissoluble | Not able to be dissolved or undone |
Infirm | Physical or mental defect, illness |
Macbeth acts I-III
August 27, 2019