Download Macbeth Comprehension Questions

English 3201
Macbeth by William Shakespeare
Questions
Act 1
Scene 1 (The witches)
1.
The witches are planning to meet again: Why? When? Where?
Scene 2 (Duncan’s camp)
2.
A character is revealed by what a person says, what he does, and what others
say about him. Given this statement, what impression do you form of Macbeth from
this scene?
Scene 3 (The witches prediction)
3.
How does Macbeth react to the witches’ promises for him? Contrast his
reaction with Banquo’s.
Scene 4 (At King’s castle)
4.
In terms of plot, what two (2) important decisions does Duncan make in Scene
4?
Scene 5 (Lady Macbeth)
5.
What advice does Lady Macbeth give Macbeth at the end of this scene? What
exactly is she advising him to do?
Scene 6 (Lady Macbeth)
6.
Why do you think that Macbeth wasn’t present at the castle to greet Duncan?
Scene 7 (Macbeth’s contemplation)
7.
Examine Macbeth’s soliloquy. When does Macbeth think he should commit the
murder? What reasons does he voice against murdering Duncan? What conflicting
feelings does he have? What does the soliloquy reveal about Macbeth’s state of mind?
Act 2
Scene 1 (Macbeth sees a bloody dagger)
8.
Analyze Macbeth’s lie to Banquo about the witches’ prediction. Why
do you think he lies?
Scene 2 (A King’s murder)
9.
In Scene 2, illustrate how Macbeth is stricken with horror after
murdering Duncan, and show that he realizes the implications of his deeds.
Scene 3 (A porter’s comic relief)
10. Who discovers Duncan’s body? What is their reaction to the discovery?
11. Why do Malcolm and Donaldbain flee? Where does each go?
Scene 4 (Strange happenings)
12. Show how in Scenes 3 & 4 disturbances in nature parallel upheaval in human
society.
Act 3
Scene 1 (Planning the murders of Banquo and Fleance)
13. Is Banquo suspicious of Macbeth? How do you know?
14. Why does Macbeth fear Banquo? What does this fear cause him to do?
Scene 2 and 3 (Banquo murdered; Fleance flees)
15. How has Lady Macbeth changed in her attitude toward wrong doing since Act 1?
16. What is significant that Macbeth does not tell Lady Macbeth about his plan to
have Banquo murdered? Why is the escape of Fleance significant?
English 3201
Macbeth by William Shakespeare
Questions
Scene 4 (Banquo’s ghost)
17. Macbeth’s evil mind conjures up the ghost of Banquo. What is the
effect of this on Macbeth? What is happening to him?
18. What effect does Macbeth’s behaviour have on his guests?
Scene 6 (Macduff)
19. Where is Macduff? How does Macbeth react to Macduff’s actions?
Act 4
Scene 1 (Witches’ equivocations)
20. How is Macbeth’s decision to have Macduff’s family murdered consistent with
his developing character?
Scene 2 (The murder of Macduff’s family)
21. Macduff’s family is murdered. How does this prepare us for the future role of
Macduff in the play?
Scene 3 (Macduff put to the test; Dreadful news)
22. How does Malcolm test Macduff and why does he do this?
Act 5
Scene 1 (Lady Macbeth sleep walks)
23. What are signs that Lady Macbeth’s character is troubled by both her and
Macbeth’s evil deeds?
24. What are the events (which happened earlier in the play) to which Lady Macbeth
alludes in the following lines: lines 30-34; line 36; lines 54-56?
Scenes 2 & 3 (Preparing for war)
25. How is Scene 3 a contrast to Scene 2?
26. Compare and contrast the Macbeth of Act 5, Scene 3 with that of Act 1 to show
the state to which his ambition has brought him.
Scenes 4 & 5 (Preparing for war; Lady Macbeth’s death)
27. Re-read lines 10-16 of Scene 5. Does Macbeth realize how evil he has
become? How do you know?
28. Macbeth’s speech (lines 19–30) after he learns of Lady Macbeth’s
death is one of the most famous in all of Literature. Why does this epitomize
the real tragedy of Macbeth?
Scenes 6, 7 & 8 (Macbeth is defeated)
29. Why is Macbeth reluctant to fight Macduff?
30. Explain, based on the last Act, how the apparitions were telling Macbeth
versions of the truth.
"Fair is foul and foul is fair.” (1,1,10)