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Macbeth
a tragedy by William Shakespeare
Act I, Scene 1
The opening scene of Macbeth sets the tone of the play by introducing, amidst thunder, lightning and rain, three
witches.
1. What are the witches planning to do?
The tone of the play is further established when the witches chant the paradox, “Fair is foul and foul is fair.”
2. Define the term paradox.
3. What does this paradox mean and what does it foreshadow?
Act I, Scene 2
In this scene, we learn what is taking place in Scotland as the play opens and we develop a first impression of
Macbeth.
4. Who was helping the rebels/committing treason?
5. What is our initial impression of Macbeth?
6. How does Duncan plan to reward Macbeth for his services?
Act I, Scene 3
The witches gather to meet Macbeth as planned.
7. Each witch in turn makes a prophecy for Macbeth. What are the prophecies?
a.
b.
c.
8. What are the witches’ prophecies for Banquo?
a.
b.
c.
At this point Shakespeare makes use of dramatic irony.
9. Define the term dramatic irony:
Banquo and Macbeth are interrupted in their thoughts about the witches by the entrance of Ross and Angus,
two noblemen sent by Duncan.
10. What news does Ross Bring to Macbeth?
11. What use of dramatic irony is made at this point in the play?
Act I, Scene 4
In speaking of the Thane of Cawdor’s treachery, Duncan says, “There’s no art/To find the mind’s construction
in the face; . . .”
12. What does Duncan mean?
13. What announcement does Duncan make concerning his son, Malcolm?
14. How does Macbeth react to this announcement?
Act I, Scene 5
As this scene opens, at Inverness, Macbeth’s castle, Lady Macbeth is reading a letter from her husband.
15. What news does the letter contain?
16. In her first soliloquy of the play, Lady Macbeth reveals her reaction to the news. What is a soliloquy?
17. What inner most thoughts and feelings does Lady Macbeth reveal to the audience in this soliloquy?
18. What advice does Lady Macbeth give to her husband (lines 65-66)? Record:
19. What is Lady Macbeth implying when she says to Macbeth, “Leave all the rest to me”?
Act I, Scene 6
In this short scene we see Duncan arrive at Inverness.
20. What dramatic purpose does this short scene serve?
Act I, Scene 7
21. In his soliloquy at the beginning of this scene, Macbeth gives several reasons for not killing Duncan. What
are they?
In this frame of mind, Macbeth is interrupted in his thoughts by the entrance of Lady Macbeth. He announces
to her, “We will proceed no further in this business.”
22. What does Macbeth mean?
23. How does Lady Macbeth persuade him to go through with the murder?
24. What is Lady Macbeth’s plan for the murder of Duncan?
Act II
Act II, Scene 1
According to the structure of the plot of a classical five-act drama, Act II contains the rising action.
25. Define the term rising action.
As the scene opens, it is close to midnight and Banquo and Fleance are talking in a courtyard at Inverness.
26. Who is Fleance?
27. What answer does Banquo give to Macbeth’s request to join him when the time is right?
As Macbeth remains alone in the courtyard, his second soliloquy reveals his state of mind as he sees visions of
a dagger.
28. What are the different ways in which Macbeth sees the dagger?
a.
b.
c.
29. What are two things that are significant about the dagger?
a. Foreshadows what event?
b. Tells us what about Macbeth’s state of mind?
30. What is the significance of the bell at the end of Scene 1?
Act II, Scene 2
This scene opens to reveal Lady Macbeth waiting for he husband to come out of Duncan’s bedroom.
31. What has happened offstage between these scenes?
32. Before Macbeth enters, what sign of weakness do wee see in Lady Macbeth for not killing Duncan herself?
33. What is Macbeth’s state of mind after the murder? How do you know this?
34. As a result anxiety, what does Macbeth forget to do?
35. Lady Macbeth says, “My hands are of your color; but I shame/To wear a heart so white!” What does she
mean?
36. What does Macbeth wish for in the closing line of the scene (line 73)? Why?
Act II, Scene 3
37. Define the term comic relief.
38. What are the strange natural events that occur in the night that Lennox speak of?
39. Define the term atmosphere. How do these events contribute to the atmosphere of the play?
40. Left alone for a few minutes, Malcolm and Donalbain agree to flee. Why do they feel it is necessary to do
this?
Act II, Scene 4
This final scene in Act II opens with Ross, a nobleman, conversing with an old man just outside Inverness.
41. Who is assumed to have killed Duncan? Why?