| What is the point of the first scene in reference to the whole play? | It sets an evil over the whole play; they are going to bring about Macbeth’s destruction |
| What does Duncan call Macbeth when he hears that Macbeth has defeated Macdonwald? | A valiant cousin, worthy gentleman |
| Who is sentenced to death? | Thane of Cawdor |
| What do the witches predict in Act 1, Scene 3 for Macbeth? For Banquo? | Macbeth as Thane of Cawdor, and king. Banquo is lesser than Macbeth yet greater, he won’t be king but his sons will. |
| What news does Ross bring Macbeth? | The battle is over and Duncan bestowed him the Thane of Cawdor in addition to having the Thane of Glamis |
| What does Banquo say about the “instrument of darkness”? | tell us truth to win us over, and give us little victories/rewards to lead us to greater destruction |
| Macbeth says “Stars hide your fires/ Let light see my black desires” what desires is he talking about? | his desire to take over, be king, and get more power |
| After Lady Macbeth reads his letter, what does she say about her husband and how does she plan to “help” him? | that he is not ruthless enough to take control of what he wants; and she will talk him into it |
| What is Lady Macbeth’s prayer to the spirits after she learns Duncan is coming? | for the spirits to make her as cruel and ruthless as she can be |
| What advice does Lady Macbeth give Macbeth when he arrives home? | be the perfect host and act innocent but be ready to strike when needed |
| What are Macbeth’s reasons for why he should not kill Duncan? | Duncan is Macbeth’s king, relative, and guest |
| What arguments does Lady Macbeth use to convince Macbeth to commit the murder? | she questions Macbeth’s manhood: man or mouse? And there is no way they can fail |
| What is Lady Macbeth’s plan? | drug the guards, kill Duncan, and frame the guards by using their daggers and put Duncan’s blood on them |
| What is Macbeth’s lie to Banquo about the witches’ prediction? | He hasn’t thought about it |
| What is the signal Lady Macbeth is to give Macbeth to let him know that she has taken care of the guards? | Ringing a Bell |
| What excuse does Lady Macbeth give for not killing Duncan herself? | He looked to much like her Father |
| Why is Macbeth unable to say “Amen” at the end of a prayer he hears? | He has a guilty conscience that won’t let him say it |
| Why won’t Macbeth take the daggers back to the scene of the crime? | He can’t look at what he has done |
| Who was knocking on the palace door? | Macduff and Lennox |
| How does Lennox describe the night? | Unruly, and Strange events: Chimney blown down; Owl screeched; earthquake; and ghostly voices were heard |
| What is Macbeth’s response to Lennox’s description of the night? | Twas a rough night |
| What does Macduff discover? | Duncan is dead |
| Macduff says to Lady Macbeth, “O gentle lady, ‘Tis not for you to hear what i can speak. The repetition, in a woman’s ear, Would murder as it fell.” What is ironic about this? | She already knew he was dead, because she planned it |
| What excuse does Macbeth give for killing the guards? | Because he was in a grief stricken rage |
| What is the real reason Macbeth killed the guards? | To keep them from talking |
| Why do Malcolm and Donalbain flee? | So that no one has accusations. Malcolm is next in line for the throne; and they suspect Macbeth murdered the King and feared they might be next to be killed or next to be blamed for the murder |
| Why does Ross not believe that Malcolm and Donalbain are responsible for Duncan’s murder? | It made no sense that they would kill their father because they loved him very much |
| Why does Macbeth want Banquo and Fleance dead? | Because the witches fortune could come true for Banquo (his sons to become kings) and Macbeth doesn’t want them to have power because it is a threat to Macbeth’s power (he doesn’t want rivals.) |
| What is Macbeth’s plan for killing Banquo and Fleance? | He hires two murderers to ambush them on the way back home from the journey |
| Does Macbeth’s plan for killing Banquo and Fleance work? Explain. | No, they kill Banquo but Fleance escapes |
| Macbeth says “The worm that’s fled/ Hath nature that in time will venom breed, / No teeth for the present.” What does he mean? | Fleance that escaped, but will be trouble later |
| Who or What does Macbeth see at the banquet table? | A ghost of Banquo |
| How does Lady Macbeth cover for Macbeth at the banquet? | she said that he has had an illness for a long time which makes him hallucinate– and it gets worse when he’s tired |
| Who else is missing from the banquet, besides Banquo? | Macduff |
Macbeth Study Guide Comprehension Questions: Acts 1-3
August 5, 2019