Download Macbeth by William Shakespeare -- Study Guide

English 10
Brock/ Ratzlaff
Macbeth by William Shakespeare -- Study Guide
Items in bold italics are important information about the play that you should paraphrase in your notebook.
Act I scene i
1. Where does this scene take place?
2. Who is in it?
3. Lines 11-12 really set the tone for the play. The WS [Weird Sisters] suggest they inhabit a world in which
the moral order has been reversed, a world in which it is difficult to tell what is indeed foul and evil. This
scene introduces a recurrent theme in the play: the discrepancy between appearance and reality.1
4. “When the battle's lost and won.” is an example of a paradox, which means what?
Act I scene ii
5. Where does this scene take place?
6. Who is in it?
7. Who is the traitor fighting against Duncan?
8. Who is the hero of the battle, according to the Sergeant?
9. Now picture this: Macbeth: “Like valour's minion carved out his passage” Here he hacks and slashes
everyone in his way until he gets to the traitor/rebel. Then with his sword, he gutted this guy from his belly
button to his neck: “unseam'd him from the nave to the chaps,” and then put his head on a stake: “And fix'd
his head upon our battlements.” What does this tell us about Macbeth?
10. But after this (after the battle is won), what happened with the weather?
11. What might this symbolize?
12. What foreign army is the traitor/rebel supporting? What foreign mercenaries are supporting the rebels?
13. How did Macbeth and his fellow general, Banquo, respond to this new attack? Find a quote from the text
supporting your answer.
14. Ross and Angus come and tell of even more attackers: who are they?
15. Who has won the battle?
16. What has to happen before the losers are allowed to bury their dead?
17. What reward does the happy Duncan bestow upon Macbeth?
18. The valiant and noble character of Macbeth is established in two reports of different battles. This
characterization of noble and valiant actions will be tweaked by “fate” in the next scene; stay tuned!
Act I scene iii
19. What have the WS’s been up to since we have last seen them?
20. What type of spell are they concocting to that poor old woman?
21. Why are they doing it?
22. What are penthouse lids—and what does it mean that sleep will not hang on them?
23. The pilot’s thumb is significant because he died violently; his body part will work nicely for their spell.
24. FYI: Weird [Wyrd] is the Anglo-Saxon word for ‘fate.’ In Holinshed’s Chronicles [from where this story
originates] are often referred to as the ‘goddesses of destiny.’ So what, you might think? Well, it explains
why Macbeth is so darn quick to listen to their predictions. 2
25. “So foul and fair a day I have not seen.” Our hero’s first words in the play: what do they mean, both
literally and figuratively?
26. What do the witches look like, according to Banquo?
27. The way in which the WS greet our boy corresponds to their role as the three fates. WS#1=past [Thane
of Glamis]; WS#2=present [Thane of Cawdor]; WS#3=future [King of Scotland].
28. How does Macbeth react to the WS’s bizarre prophesy?
29. After hearing the WS speak, what does Banquo want?
30. Macbeth does not know he is to be made Thane of Cawdor, so how do the witches know?
31. What do WS tell Banquo?
32. Sinel was Macbeth’s dad…
1
2
Saliani, Dom, et al. The Tragedy of Macbeth with Related Readings. Albany: ITP, 1997, pp 11.
Ibid., pp 16.
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33.
34.
35.
36.
37.
38.
39.
40.
41.
How do the WS exit?
What do Banquo and Macbeth make of this strange encounter?
Who enters the scene after the WS exit?
What could Ross have said in one sentence, between lines 89 –99?
The purpose of such a long-winded speech, though, is to build up our hero’s ego.
“Why do you dress me in borrowed robes?” What does Macbeth mean by this?
What warning does Banquo give his friend?
Why might he do this? Remember, he had a prophesy too.
In his first of many monologues, Macbeth vacillates between the pros and cons (good and ill) of what he
has just learned. What is the “horrid image” mentioned in this internal debate, and how does Macbeth feel
about it?
42. Theme alert! An important theme in this play deals with the discrepancy between appearance and
reality. The WS introduce this theme w/their chant “fair is foul and foul is fair.” 3
43. “Worthy Macbeth, we say upon your leisure.” What does this mean?
44. “My dull brain was wrought with things forgotten…” He’s lying, why?
Act I scene iv
45. How does Cawdor die? Nobly or like a coward? Pick a line from the play supporting your choice.
46. “There’s no art to find the mind’s construction in the face:” Here Duncan says he had no idea Cawdor
was a liar. Because the traitor was such a good liar, it never showed upon his face. Note that the new
Cawdor walks in just as Duncan says this.
47. What does Duncan mean when he says, “would thou hadst less deserved, that the proportion of both thanks
and payment might have been mine! only I have left to say, more is thy due than more all can say.”
48. How does Macbeth, the smooth diplomat, respond?
49. “I have begun to plant thee, and will labour to make thee full of growing…” What theme or motif is this
metaphor suggesting?
50. How do we know Duncan is crying for joy? Find the lines.
51. Who does Duncan name as his successor?
52. We hear more signs of Macbeths’ ambition; find the lines where he wants it, yet fears it.
Act I scene v
53. “Lay it to thy heart, and farewell.” These are instructions; what is Lady Macbeth or LM supposed to do
with her letter?
54. “Glamis thou art, and Cawdor ; and shalt be what thou art promised.” LM clearly believes that Macbeth
will get all that was prophesied. Still, what does she fear will keep him from becoming king?
55. What is the “golden round?”
56. “The raven himself is hoarse, that croaks the fatal entrance of Duncan…” What does LM mean here?
57. “Unsex me here…” LM calls upon the gods to take away any feminine weakness; she is asking for some
courage to do a man’s job. And what job might that be?
58. “That my keen knife see not the wound it makes, Nor Heaven peep through the blanket of the dark, to cry,
“Hold, hold!” She doesn’t want to see what she has done, but has no qualms about doing it. This woman
knows exactly what she’s getting herself into. Do you think she will be able to convince her husband?
59. “Your face, my Thane, is as a book, where men may read strange matters…” What does she tell him to do?
60. She’s getting him do to do not only what she wants, but also what he wants. Of course she is using her
feminine wiles to get him to agree. His line, “We’ll speak further,” indicates he desires some intimate
time. Remember, he’s been at war for a while…
61. Find at least two pieces of evidence proving LM plans to kill the king herself.
Act I scene vi
62. Duncan and Banquo start the scene appearing to make small talk. Because this is Shakespeare, however, we
know it means something more. What is the weather like, what’s going on with all the bird references, and
what does it symbolize or mean?
63. “All our service, in every point done, and then done double…” we are supposed to think about the
witches here.
64. Duncan kisses her cheek at the end of the scene. Why might this a fitting ending to the scene?
65. Duncan is perceived as a kind and generous king. Yet he has at least one shortcoming; what might it be?
3
Saliani, pp 32.
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Act I scene vii
66. The first of many famous soliloquies. Listen as Macbeth goes back and forth, wrestling with his
conscience. What is he trying to decide?
67. Where does this scene take place?
68. We will work on analyzing this soliloquy in class, but of course I have a few comments:
∙ Note the heavenly images at the end
∙ These thoughts of his are occurring for the first time; he has not been dwelling on them
∙ He goes from earthly politics to the imagination of heaven
69. Why is LM so angry at Macbeth?
70. What has Macbeth decided to do by the time he talks to his wife?
71. How does LM get Macbeth to change his mind?
72. What would she rather do than to break a promise to her husband?
73. What is her plan for Duncan?
74. How do the last few lines of this scene echo the last words of Act I scene i?
75. “There once was a king named Macbeth; a better king never drew breath; The faults of his life were all due
to his wife—the notorious Lady Macbeth.” 4 Is the limerick true? As we go further, we will explore this
question, but what is your opinion at this stage?
Act II scene i
76. This is an out of doors scene; who is in it and where might it take place?
77. What time might it be?
78. “husbandry” means thrifty management—the idea is that there are no stars out because it’s cloudy.
79. Aha…Banquo cannot sleep. Notice that sleep (and sleeplessness) is becoming a motif.
80. What gift has Duncan given LM?
81. How does Banquo bring up the WS?
82. How does Macbeth respond? What does he want Banquo to do with the information?
83. Another monologue once everyone has left the stage. This famous “dagger speech” tells us much of
Macbeth’s soul as well as the status of his mind. We will work on this speech in class. By the way, the
discoveries you make in class regarding the monologues we explicate will most assuredly be on the test.
Act II scene ii
84. “That which has made them drunk hath made me bold.” What has LM been up to?
85. LM gives the audience a little recap. What does she tell us?
86. What kept LM from doing the nefarious deed herself? It is this clue we must remind ourselves when we
want to blame her for everything. She does have a bit of compassion.
87. What animals cry when Duncan is killed? Why might that be significant?
88. “This is a sorry sight.” When he says this, he looks at his hands and realizes for the first time he is a
murderer. Contrast his bloody hands now with the battle scene at the beginning of the play. Both times he
has killed. Why does this time seem to be different?
89. Why couldn’t Macbeth say, “Amen’? Of course this is significant—what does it mean?
90. What does LM say these thoughts will make him if he continues dwelling upon them?
91. “Sleep no more! Macbeth does murder sleep” to what kind of sleep is he referring?
92. “Why did you bring these daggers from the place?” She notices the bloody daggers for the first time; where
might he have put them or how might he have kept her from noticing them before now?
93. What does LM tell Macbeth to do with the daggers?
94. What does LM do?
95. “Go get on your night-gown,” In their time, it was the custom for both sexes to sleep without other
covering than that belonging to the bed. If they were found in ordinary clothing, it would bring
suspicion on them.5
96. “Wake Duncan with thy knocking; I would thou couldst.” Does this suggest repentence? Why or why not?
97. Sir Max Beerbohm, a British essayist, critic, and cartoonist said: “To mankind in general Macbeth and LM
stand out as the supreme type of all that a host and hostess should not be.” 6 What is ironic about this quote?
4
5
Ibid, pp30.
Shakespeare, William. The Arden Shakespeare: Macbeth. Kennith Muir, ed. London: Methuen, 1984, pp 57.
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Act II scene iii
98. Another famous monologue, only this time, it’s not delivered by a nobleman. Indeed, two of the many
purposes of this speech are to allow Macbeth and LM time to dress for the next scene as well as provide
a little comic relief from all the bloodshed.
99. “I pray you, remember the Porter.” What does he want?
100. What three things does drink provoke?
101. What might nose-painting mean? Go on, take a guess…
102. What time of day do the new guests arrive?
103. Who are they supposed to see?
104. What’s up with all the storms? Why might there be all these unnatural disturbances?
105. “Twas a rough night,” Macbeth replies. How is this utterance ironic?
106. Who is the first person to see the dead king?
107. Why is sleep called “death’s counterfeit?”
108. Macbeth tells his wife “O gentle lady, ‘tis not for you to hear what I can speak: the repetition, in a woman’s
ear, would murder it as it fell.” Why is this ironic—and why does Macbeth say it?
109. Why did Macbeth kill the servants?
110. Once everyone knows Macbeth slew the servants, people start to talk. LM provides a distraction: what
might she be doing?
111. What do Malcolm and Donalbain decide to do?
112. Why do they make this decision?
Act II scene iv
113. Where does this scene take place?
114. Notice that Mother Nature herself isn’t happy, according to the Old Man. What three unnatural things have
occurred recently?
115. Who appears to have done the horrible deed of regicide?
116. Who will now be crowned?
117. Macduff won’t go to see the new king crowned…why?
Act III scene i
118. Banquo gets a small speech here; what is his attitude?
119. Now that Macbeth is the king, what might he and LM be wearing?
120. Why is Macbeth so curious about Banquo’s ride this afternoon? Why would Shakespeare waste such
precious stage time with seemingly inconsequential details?
121. Note how now Macbeth no longer confides in his wife as he sends even her away.
122. What does Macbeth reveal about his fears regarding the unsuspecting Banquo?
123. Why does he dwell on not having sons of his own?
124. In what two ways does Macbeth get the men to agree to murder Banquo?
125. When did Macbeth decide to take action and kill Banquo?
126. How is Macbeth like his wife in his logic he uses on the murderers? Another motif is developing here.
127. Why won’t Macbeth kill Banquo personally?
128. What other character does Macbeth want slaughtered?
Act III scene ii
129. Is LM happy to be the queen? What is your proof?
130. What does she tell her husband?
131. What is Macbeth’s concern?
132. Why doesn’t he tell her he plans to have Banquo killed? Didn’t she urge him to murder Duncan?
133. Why does he say that Duncan “sleeps well” and talk of “drowsy hums,” “night’s yawning peal,” and things
beginning to “droop and drowse”?
134. “full of scorpions is my mind” A most incredible image, don’t you think?
135. “But let the frame of things disjoint” echoes a motif that begins in Act I, scene i. What is it?
136. Here’s the motto of the entire play: “Good things of Day begin to droop and drowse, Whiles Night’s black
agents to their preys do rouse.” What does it mean?
6
Salinai, pp. 40
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Act III scene iii
137. How many murderers do we have now? Who might it be? [Some productions use one of the witches here]
138. “The west yet glimmers with some streaks of day;” what does this mean?
139. How does this nasty, brutish, and short scene end?
Act III scene iv
140. What do the murderers report?
141. How does Macbeth take the news?
142. How is it ironic when Macbeth utters: “But Banquo’s safe?”
143. LM chides her husband for his behavior. Why?
144. When Macbeth calls a toast to Banquo, lo and behold, who appears?
145. LM covers for his sudden strange behavior for the rest of the evening. How does she do this, and why?
146. How does she get him to finally return to “normal”?
147. What happens when he toasts Banquo again?
148. Two more of the motifs reappear at the end of this scene. What are they?
149. What does Macbeth mean by “We are yet but young in deed”?
Act III scene v
150. Who is Hecate? If you can’t find her in your book, look her up in the dictionary.
151. Why is Hecate angry at her three cronies?
152. What does Hecate have to say about Macbeth’s personality?
Act III scene vi
153. Lenox give us a summary or synopsis of what has happened so far; what does he say about Malcolm and
Donalbain?
154. Does he believe Macbeth worthy to be king? What’s your evidence?
155. Why does Macduff live in disgrace?
156. Where is Macduff going and to what end?
157. What is the general feeling regarding Macbeth?
Act IV scene i
158. All these ingredients carry a special meaning—your book has some of them; know that if you decide to
become an English major in college that there are tons of books that discuss these varied meanings.
159. “By the pricking of my thumbs, Something wicked this way comes.” Who has come a-calling?
160. What deed have they done; what deed do you believe they will do now?
161. Remember the nature theme we have going here; what does Macbeth want from these three lovely ladies,
and what will he do to get it?
162. Who might be the witches’ master?
163. What does the first apparition say?
164. We have a little humor introduced into this somewhat macabre scene when he says, “Had I three ears, I'ld
hear thee.” Why is this so?
165. What does the second apparition promise?
166. What does Macbeth promise to do for his old ally, Macduff?
167. What is significant about the final apparition? Note they come in three—often a magical number.
168. What is his last question?
169. How do the weird sisters answer it?
170. What is Lenox’s news?
171. What does he mean by this: “from this moment the very firstlings of my heart shall be the firstlings of my
hand.”
172. What is he planning to do about Macduff?
Act IV scene ii
173. Why is Lady Macduff so upset?
174. Does Ross know the truth? Why won’t he tell her what she most wants to know?
175. Note how the child has become the adult to the parent in this scene. Give three examples of his wisdom.
176. “…in your state of honor…” we need to know she is visibly pregnant…it means so much more later in
the scene…
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177. What does the messenger want her to do?
178. Why won’t she do it?
Act IV scene iii
179. What does Malcolm say about Macbeth?
180. Does he trust Macduff? How do you know?
181. Who was the “brightest” angel that fell? Why this comparison?
182. Why is Macduff so upset with Malcolm? Who is manipulating whom?
183. What does Malcolm say about his own true nature in comparison to that of Macbeth’s?
184. What does he say about his need for women?
185. What does Macduff say about that?
186. Again, why is Macduff here and what does he want?
187. What is Malcolm’s next excuse for not taking back his kingship?
188. What “king-becoming graces” does Malcolm claim not to have?
189. Macduff has had enough. What does he tell Malcolm about his father?
190. What does Malcolm now reveal about his true nature? That Shakespeare is so darn clever!
191. What’s wrong with this English king? How are we supposed to compare him to the king in old Scotland?
192. Ross comes in with some dire news: what does he reveal?
193. What has England promised Malcolm?
194. When Malcolm tells Macduff to dispute it like a man, i.e. not cry about it, Macduff says he has to feel it
like a man. What does he mean by this? Note the further development of the motif.
Act V scene i
195. Where are we in this scene?
196. What does the Nurse tell the doctor regarding the queen?
197. What is LM carrying? Why does she do so?
198. Why does she rub her hands?
199. To what does “…one; two: why then, ‘tis time to do it?” refer?
200. Why does LM go on about Macduff’s wife?
201. LM has no physical disease; what really plagues her? Remember: Macbeth hath “murdered sleep.”
202. “Infected minds to their deaf pillows will discharge their secrets.” What does the doctor say about guilt? Is
it true?
Act V scene ii
203. Where is the army meeting?
204. What are people saying about Macbeth?
205. How does Menteth justify Macbeth’s madness?
Act V scene iii
206. We know Macbeth has not been sleeping; yet he seems to have very high energy. Why isn’t he freaking
out…or is he freaking out?
207. A new character is introduced in this scene: Seyton. Often it is pronounced Satan. What could this portend?
208. “I am sick at heart”—what is going on with this sudden change of mood?
209. Why does Macbeth want to get into his armor?
210. What does Macbeth want the doctor to do?
211. How does the doctor respond?
212. “Pull it off, I say”—here he is talking about his armor. How do these words and this action reflect what’s
going on in his head?
213. Note all these scenes are coming quickly…what does this mean?
Act V scene iv
214. What are the men doing? How does this fit the prophecies?
215. How will this thwart Macbeth’s plan?
Act V scene v
216. Is Macbeth worried? What evidence do we have?
217. Why do the women cry? What has happened? Note it has taken place off-stage…
218. “She should have died hereafter;” What might he mean about this?
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219. Yet another famous speech: Tomorrow and tomorrow…
220. What does a messenger tell our hero?
Act V scene vi
221. What does Siward say should happen to them?
Act V scene vii
222. Why did Shakespeare include this brief episode with Young Siward before McDuff comes in?
Act V scene viii
223. What's Macbeth saying at the beginning of this scene?
224. Foreshadowing alert! Why has Macbeth avoided Macduff?
225. "I have no words;/ My voice is in my sword." What does this mean? How does it relate back to the motifs
of gender and the natural order?
226. What does Macduff reveal about himself? How is it ironic that it's Macduff?
227. According to Scottish legend, which character will come back to Scotland later and found the noble house
of Stuart (a line of Scottish, and later British, kings)? Hint: you don't need to read Scottish legend to figure
it out!
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