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Answer the following questions and include references to lines from the play
to support ALL of your answers.
ACT I
Act 1, Scene 1
1. How do you think Shakespeare would have staged this scene to capture the audience’s attention?
2. What characteristics are usually associated with witches? Which of these characteristics are evident in
Scene 1?
3. Discuss the methods used to spark the audience’s interest.
4. Describe the atmosphere in this scene. How does it foreshadow that the play will be a tragedy?
5. What is significant about the witches’ final two lines?
Act 1, Scene 2
1. What battle has just been fought, and who has emerged victorious?
2. What tributes are paid to Macbeth by a) the soldier
b) Duncan
c) Ross
3. a) What traits does Duncan exhibit that show him to be a good king?
b) What traits suggest that he may be a weak king?
4. Duncan decrees that Macbeth is to receive the title of Thane of Cawdor.
a) Why is Macbeth being given this title?
b) What is foreshadowed by this action?
5. Explain the meaning of Duncan’s remark “What he hath lost noble Macbeth hath won.” Is there
anything ironic about this statement? Explain your answer.
6. The audience has not yet met Macbeth but we have learned a great deal about his character. Write a
character sketch of the kind of person you perceive him to be.
Act 1, Scene 3
1. Discuss the witches’ activities since Act 1, scene 1. Why is the first witch so angry with the sailor’s
wife? What is the punishment?
2. Describe the supernatural powers revealed in this scene.
3. What is Banquo’s reaction to the witches? What seems unreal about them?
4. Name the four prophecies. Indicate the prophecies that are fulfilled.
5. Based on what Macbeth reveals about his character through his asides, what s your opinion of him at
this time? Explain your answer with evidence from the play.
Act 1, Scene 4
1. Discuss how the mood of scene 4 contrasts tot he moods in scenes 1 to 3.
2. What is ironic about Duncan’s assessment of Cawdor and Macbeth?
3. Examine Macbeth’s words when he first arrives in the court. What do his remarks reveal about a) his
nature as a soldier and b) his potential as a king?
4. Explain Macbeth’s aside. Examine his reaction to the naming of a successor to the throne and his
considerations for future actions.
Act 1, Scene 5
1. Lady Macbeth analyzes Macbeth’s character after reading his letter.
a) What positive and negative qualities does she attribute to him?
b) Cite evidence from this scene and the previous scenes to illustrate the accuracy of her assessment.
2. Lady Macbeth “prays to the evil spirits” in this scene. Which character traits must she possess if she is to
be an instrumental ally in gaining Macbeth the crown?
3. Describe the methods Lady Macbeth uses to manipulate Macbeth to her plan of action. Why is she
emerging as the stronger one of the two?
4. How does Macbeth indicate his unwillingness to be a part of Lady Macbeth’s conspiracy?
Act 1, Scene 6
1. Describe Duncan’s and Banquo’s reaction to the castle. What do their reactions reveal about them?
2. Find evidence that Duncan trusts Macbeth.
3. What traits does Lady Macbeth exhibit that prove she has mastered hiding behind a mask?
4. How does this scene demonstrate the “fair is foul, foul is fair” theme?
Act 1, Scene 7
1. What pictures surface in Macbeth’s imagination that cause him to hesitate about murdering the king?
Which image do you think has the strongest effect on his attitude?
2. What is revealed in Macbeth’s soliloquy?
3. In what ways is Lady Macbeth a skilful manipulator of Macbeth’s weakness?
ACT II
Act 2, Scene 1
1.
What is Banquo thinking about as the scene opens?
2. What does Macbeth’s dagger soliloquy (lines 32-64) reveal about his feelings about the grisly task to
come?
Act 2, Scene 2
1. What is Lady Macbeth’s state of mind when she first appears on the scene? What has caused her to be
this way?
2. What is Macbeth’s frame of mind when he commits the assassination? Make a list of all the sounds he
claims to have heard. Do you think these sounds were real or imagined?
3. Contrast Macbeth’s reaction to the blood on his hands with that of Lady Macbeth. What might be
foreshadowed by their responses?
4. Define DRAMATIC IRONY. Find examples in this scene and explain how they create suspense.
Act 2, Scene 3
1. Explain the porter scene in terms of its comic relief.
2. Describe how Macduff is portrayed in terms of his allegiance and loyalty to Duncan, and his reaction to
Duncan’s death. What is his behavior towards Macbeth before and after the grooms are killed?
3. What are the reasons for Malcolm and Donalbain fleeing to separate countries? Quote the line(s) that
suggest they suspect Macbeth of the murder.
Act 2, Scene 4
1. What disturbances in nature are revealed in this scene? How does this show that Scotland is now in
chaos?
2. In what way does Macduff show suspicion of Macbeth?
ACT III
Act 3, Scene 1
1. What three questions does Macbeth ask Banquo? What is significant about these questions and
Banquo’s answers?
2. What does Macbeth’s soliloquy reveal about
a) his attitude towards Banquo,
b) Banquo’s character
c) his own state of mind?
3. Why is Fleance’s death so important to Macbeth? How do you think Macbeth will react if Fleance
should escape the fate planned for him?
Act 3, Scene 2
1. What fears occupy Macbeth and Lady Macbeth’s thoughts?
2. How has Lady Macbeth’s power to influence Macbeth changed? Why?
3. Why does Macbeth keep his plan to murder Banquo a secret from his wife?
Act 3, Scene 3
1. What is the atmosphere of this scene? Why is this imagery effective?
2. Macbeth sends a third assassin out to join the other two. Why? What does this show about his character?
3. This scene is a major crisis in the play. Explain.
Act 3, Scene 4
1. What mood and atmosphere open this scene?
2. What are Macbeth’s motives for hosting this banquet?
3. How do Macbeth’s reactions suggest that the ghost actually appeared on the stage? If you were
producing the play, would you have the ghost appear on the stage or would you interpret it as the
fabrication of Macbeth’s tormented mind?
4. This scene marks the beginning of the decline in Macbeth’s fortune. Explain.
Act 3, Scene 5
1. What is Hecate’s analysis of Macbeth’s character? What does she plan for Macbeth?
2. What would be the purpose behind including a scene such as this in a performance of the play?
Act 3, Scene 6
1. What is the public’s perception of Macbeth as a leader? Quote lines to support your answer.
2. What signs reveal that Macduff will be a formidable (strong) opponent to Macbeth?
ACT IV
Act 4, Scene 1
1. Describe the atmosphere of the scene. How is it suitable for the actions that occur?
2. What is Macbeth’s attitude towards the witches at this meeting? How has it changed since his first
encounter with them?
3. What are the witches’ three apparitions?
4. What does Macbeth resolve to do by the end of this scene?
Act 4, Scene 2
1. Define pathos. How is pathos created in this scene between Lady Macduff and her son?
Act 4, Scene 3
1. Describe how Macduff and Malcolm feel about each other in this scene and what they propose to do.
2. What does Macduff’s reaction to his family’s murder reveal about his character?
ACT V
Act 5, Scene 1
1. Why is the gentlewoman enlisting the help of a doctor’s services, rather than turning to Macbeth to seek
help for his wife?
2. In her sleepwalking state, Lady Macbeth alludes to past events. List the events she refers to, and how her
reaction to these events have changed.
3. What is the significance of the image of blood in this scene?
Act 5, Scene 2
1. What forces are opposing Macbeth?
2. Does the audience feel sympathy for Macbeth? Why or why not?
Act 5, Scene 3
1. Describe Macbeth’s state of mind in the opening moments of this scene. What gives him a sense of
reassurance?
2. Describe Macbeth’s emotional state at the end of this scene.
Act 5, Scene 4
1. How does this scene foreshadow the outcome of the battle?
2. What does the behavior of Malcolm suggest about his suitability as the future king?
Act 5, Scene 5
1. How does Macbeth’s speech in this scene reflect his denunciation of life?
2. Why does Macbeth choose to go into battle to face the unknown rather than take his own life?
Act 5, Scene 6
1. How is suspense created in this scene?
Act 5, Scene 7 & 8
1.
The final failure and death of the hero completes the catastrophe of a tragedy.
a) Why is Macbeth considered a hero?
b) What is redeeming about his character?
c) How is his death a tragedy?