Macbeth Test Study Guide

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
August 13, 2019