| tragedy | a literary work depicting serious events in which the main character (often of high rank and dignified) comes to an unhappy end |
| this play shows a familiar tragic pattern: | the rise and fall of a person who is powerful but contains a tragic (or fatal) flaw |
| human actions have… | … inevitable consequences |
| characters bad deeds, errors, mistakes, or crimes are… | …never forgiven and lead to a catastrophe, often death. |
| catharsis | an emotional release experienced by the audience at the end– cleansing or purging of emotions |
| Shakespeare took his story from what? | an account in 11th century Scottish history |
| the actions in this play are determined by what? | internal desires and fears of the main characters, intermingled with external forces of circumstances and fate |
| Shakespeare portrays what in Macbeth and Lady Macbeth? | characterization |
| how does he characterize them? | he shows good and evil qualities in each, as well as strengths and weaknesses. In spite of their being consumed by the consequences of their evil actions, they still grow in self-awareness. |
| man’s earthly life is closely involved with what? | supernatural powers of good and evil |
| the story centers on what? | a moral choice and the consequences of that choice |
| comic relief | a humorous scene, incident, character, or bit of dialogue after some serious or tragic moment. It’s designed to relieve emotional intensity but also to highlight or heighten the seriousness or tragedy of the action |
| dramatic irony | a situation in a narrative in which the reader knows something about present or future circumstances that the character doesn’t know |
| tragic flaw | quality within the hero or heroine (character flaw) which leads to his or her downfall. Often the very trait that makes the individual noteworthy is what ultimately causes the individual’s decline into disaster |
| soliloquy | an extended speech delivered by a character alone on stage (it often reveals the character’s innermost thoughts or feelings). |
| aside | in drama, a few words or short passage spoken by one character in an undertone or directly to the audience. Its meant to be heard by the audience, but supposedly it is not heard by other characters on the stage |
| monologue | a speech given by a single individual in a drama |
| foil | contrasting character who allows the protagonist to stand out more distinctly |
| exposition | introduces the characters in a state of happiness or at the height of their power, fame, or influence. It also sets the mood, gives the setting, and provides necessary background information |
| complication (rising action) | introduces a problem or dilemma; develops the conflict to a high point of intensity |
| climax | the dilemma reaches a point of crisis where something decisive happens to determine future events and the eventual working out of the conflict |
| falling action | the main character fails to avoid the coming crisis or catastrophe, and the disaster occurs |
| resolution (catastrophe) | this reveals the grim consequences of that failure. an events marks the ultimate tragic fall of the central character– often it is his death |
| at the beginning of the play, we learn that Scotland is at war with England | false |
| the witches promise that Banquo’s children shall be kings | true |
| Duncan has been a good king | true |
| Macbeth tells no one of the witches’ prophecies | false |
| Lady Macbeth dominates her husband | true |
| how are Duncan and Macbeth related? | they are cousins |
| What title does Duncan decide to award Macbeth? | Thane of Cawdor |
| With what three titles do the witches greet Macbeth? | Thane of Glamis, Thane of Cawdor, and king |
| Whom does Duncan name as his successor? | Malcolm |
| What quality in her husband does Lady Macbeth see as a liability? | kindness |
| what is the name of Banquo’s son? | Fleance |
| Name one of the three ways in which Macbeth sees the daggar | covered in blood |
| What does Macbeth forget to leave behind when leaving Duncan’s chamber? | the daggers |
| Who seems the stronger character at the end of scene 2? | Lady Macbeth |
| What happens to the sleeping grooms? | Macbeth kills them |
| Where does the porter imagine that he is? | he imagines that he is the gatekeeper of hell |
| Who first discovers Duncan’s murder? | Macduff |
| What crime does Macbeth publicly confess? | he confesses to killing the guards |
| At the beginning of Act II, how does Banquo show that he is already on guard and fears for his life? | He keeps his sword close to him and does not sleep though he is tired |
| What sign do you see that, even before the murder, Macbeth is losing touch with reality? | He hallucinates a floating dagger |
| In Scene 2, why is Macbeth still in possession of the murder weapons? | He forgot to put them with the sleeping guards |
| What happens to the daggers? | Lady Macbeth plants them on the sleeping guards |
| Both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth comment on the stains of Duncan’s blood. Compare their reactions. | Macbeth feels guilt immediately while Lady Macbeth brushes it off, saying that just a little water will wash their hands of blood. |
| In Scene 3, Lennox tells Macbeth of several strange events that indicate trouble. What are they? | Chimneys were blown down, they heard lamenting and screams of death in the air, an obscure bird clamored through the night, and there were earthquakes |
| Why does Macbeth kill Duncan’s grooms? | To pin the murder on them and to show his “grief” at Duncan’s loss. They would also be unable to testify otherwise. |
| To what does Macbeth invite Banquo? | a feast |
| Who is going to accompany Banquo when he rides forth? | Fleance |
| Does Macbeth consult his wife about his plans to murder Banquo? | No |
| What part of Macbeth’s plan is not carried out? | murdering Fleance |
| Whose ghost does Macbeth imagine he sees? | Banquo |
| Who does Macbeth publicly blame for Duncan’s murder? | Malcolm and Donalbain |
| Why does Macbeth want Banquo dead? | Banquo knows about the prophecy and suspects Macbeth of foul play |
| What emotions does the ghost arouse in Macbeth? | fear and guilt |
| How does Lady Macbeth explain her husband’s strange behavior to their guests? | she blames it on a childhood illness |
| when Act III opens, what is Banquo thinking about? | Duncan’s death– he suspects foul play |
| Macbeth says that he fears no one but Banquo. Why does Macbeth fear Banquo? | he might tell about the prophesy. his sons might take Macbeth’s throne. |
Mrs. Howard’s Macbeth Test
November 18, 2019