Macbeth | Thane of Glamis at the start of the play |
Lady Macbeth | Manipulates Macbeth into killing Duncan |
Duncan | Original King of Scotland |
Banquo | The Witches predict his sons will one day be king |
Macduff | The first to find King Duncan |
Ross | Macduff’s cousin and Nobleman of Scotland |
Lennox | Nobleman of Scotland, fearful of the state of the country |
Malcolm | Rightful successor to the Scottish throne |
The Weird Sisters | reveal Macbeth’s future to him |
Hectate | Scolds the witches for interfering with fate |
Fleance | He is able to flee from the murderers |
Lady Macduff | Believes Macduff betrayed his family when he left the country |
The Porter | Serves as comic relief within the play |
The Three Murderers | Hired by Macbeth to carry out foul acts |
Donalbain | Flees to Ireland after his father’s death |
Doctor | Cares for Lady Macbeth but says “the disease is beyond my practice” |
Apparition | An armed head, a bloody child, and a child with a crown |
Dunsinane | Macbeth’s castle is located there |
Scotland | The play takes place in this country |
England | Malcolm fled to this country after his father was killed |
Ireland | Donalbain fled to this country after Duncan was killed |
Norway | Scotland is at war with this country at the start of the play |
Allusion | When Shakespeare makes a brief reference to the Goddess of War in Act I. |
Tragedy | Macbeth is an example of this because it ends in catastrophe. |
Aside | When a character makes a remark to the audience or to another character that others on stage are not supposed to hear (the purpose is to reveal a character’s private thoughts) |
Monologue | A long speech given by one character; other characters may be present and listening on stage |
Couplet | “Away, and mock the time with fairest show;False face must hide what false heart doth know.” |
Blank Verse | A form of unrhymed poetry |
Sonnet | A poem identified by its 14 lines containing 10 syllables each |
Soliloquy | A speech a character gives when he or she is alone on stage |
Tragic Hero | Macbeth is an example of this because he was nobly born and has great influence in his society but has a fatal flaw that ultimately leads to his downfall |
Foil | Banquo is this to Macbeth because his opposite reactions to the witches prophecies serves to point out Macbeth’s flaw |
In what city was Shakespeare born? | Stratford-On-Avon |
What acting company was he a part of? | Lord Chamberlain’s Men |
What did he change his theatre company’s name to? | The King’s Men |
Who came into power during Shakespeare’s time? | King James |
How did his plays change after the new king came into power? | They became darker and more cynical |
The theater was for everyone, not just for the wealthy, because it… | Was cheap/affordable |
In addition to writing plays, Shakespeare also wrote 154__________________________. | Sonnets |
The Globe Theater got its name because everyone in the world is an __________________. | Actor |
According to the Gentlewoman, what does Lady Macbeth do in her sleep? | writes a letter |
The Puritans saw the theater as… | the devil’s work OR evil |
The Gentlewoman’s attitude toward Lady Macbeth seems to be… | loyal to Lady Macbeth, but disturbed by her |
Reread Act 5, Scene 1, lines 58-66 (p. 176). Which line best states one of the plays themes? | “Unnatural deeds/Do breed unnatural troubles.” |
Reread Act 5, Scene 5, lines 19-23 (p. 190). In these lines, Macbeth reveals that he believes that…. | actions are meaningless because people are inevitably drawn toward death |
Reread Act 5, Scene 3 (p. 180). Which line reveals Macbeth’s overconfidence? | “The mind I sway by and the heart I bear,Shall never sag with doubt nor shake with fear.” |
What causes Macbeth to fight Macduff in Act 5, Scene 7? | Macbeth knows his death is fated and wants to face it. |
Malcolm shows that he will be a good king at the end of the play when he… | thanks his supporters and rewards them |
In Act 5, Scene 7, why does Macbeth know that Macduff will be the one who kills him? | Macduff says he was removed from his mother |
Compare Banquo’s reactions to the witches to Macbeth’s reaction. How are they different? What does this tell you about their character traits? | BANQUO: doesn’t really care what they say, in unaffected – shows he’s patient, level-headed, loyal to ScotlandMACBETH: cares, takes it very seriously, is moved to action – shows he’s ambitious, impatient, loyal to himself |
What are the differences in the personalities of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth from the beginning of the play to the end? | Macbeth: BEGINNING – respected warriorEND – butcher, murdererLady Macbeth: BEGINNING – strong, in controlEND – insane, weak, under the care of others |
Why doesn’t Lady Macbeth kill Duncan herself? | Duncan looks like her father and she isn’t sure she can go through with it. This is a sign of her weakness. |
How is Fleance’s escape a turning point in the play? | It is the first sign that everything might not work out for Macbeth |
According to Malcolm and Macduff, what has happened to Scotland during Macbeth’s reign? | “Widows mourn”, “Orphans cry”, “…new sorrows everyday”. Scotland is oppressed and suffering |
Reread Act 5, Scene 3, lines 35-36 (p. 184). What do Macbeth’s instructions to Seyton reveal about Macbeth? | “Kill anyone who shows fear”Shows how ruthless/evil/driven Macbeth is |
In Act 5, what is one reference to sickness and cures used to describe Scotland’s situation? | “Meet we the medicine of the sickly weal”The country is sick (Macbeth) and needs a cure (Malcolm) |
In Act 5, Scene 1, what are two examples that show Lady Macbeth has lost her mind? | -sleep walks-sees blood on hands-talks to herself |
The witches reveal their prophecies to Macbeth | 2 |
Macbeth is killed and Malcolm is crowned King | 6 |
Information is given regarding the ongoing battle between Scotland and Norway | 1 |
Macbeth kills Duncan and his guards, and then he is crowned king | 3 |
The murderers kill Banquo, and his ghost appears at the banquet | 4 |
Macduff and Malcolm gather forces while Macbeth foolishly misinterprets the prophecies from the witches | 5 |
What was Shakespeare’s reputation in England? | Shakespeare was well-respected and his plays were well-received |
Macbeth Test Study Guide
August 13, 2019