Download Act III - Net Start Class

REVIEW KEY
MACBETH – TEST REVIEW Acts I-III
Act I
1.
English IV
Who were the Scots fighting at the beginning of the play?
Norway
2. What are the first things we learn about Macbeth from other characters?
He shows courage in battle and earns the respect of the Scottish army and king.
3. What did the witches prophesy about Macbeth?
They hail him as Thane of Glamis, Thane of Cawdor, and King-to-be.
4. What were the witches’ prophecies about Banquo?
They predict that he will father many kings, but never become king himself.
5. Whom did King Duncan name as his heir?
His eldest son, Malcom (Prince of Cumberland)
6. How did Lady Macbeth first learn of the prophecies?
Macbeth presumably writes her a letter from the battlefield.
7. Why did Lady Macbeth eagerly welcome Duncan to the castle?
She begins planning Duncan’s murders as soon as she learns of the witches’ prophesies.
8. Why did Macbeth hesitate to kill Duncan?
He talks himself out of committing the murder, because Duncan is a popular, well-loved
king who has just promoted Macbeth for courage in battle.
9. Who was chiefly responsible for planning the murder?
Lady Macbeth
10. What finally persuaded Macbeth to commit the murder of Duncan?
Lady Macbeth persuades her husband by manipulating his feelings and calling him a coward
and less than a man, etc.
Act II
1.
Just before the murder, what did Macbeth think he saw?
He sees an “air-drawn” dagger leading him to Duncan’s chamber.
2. Why did Lady Macbeth not kill Duncan?
The sleeping king resembled her father, so she didn’t kill him.
3. What did Macbeth think he heard while killing Duncan?
He hears voices that say, “sleep no more, Macbeth hath murdered sleep.”
4. Why did Macbeth refuse to smear the grooms with blood?
He regrets what he has done and is afraid to return to the scene of his crime.
5. Who did the knocking on the gate?
Macduff and Lennox have come to Macbeth’s castle in the early morning. King Duncan
appointed them to wake him.
6. Who discovered Duncan’s murder?
Macduff
7. Who killed the grooms (guards)?
Macbeth admits to killing them in a crime of passion, when he supposedly saw them with
the bloody daggers.
8. What did Lady Macbeth do when she learned of the murders?
She faints.
9. Why did Malcolm and Donalbain flee?
They know that the assassin is among them and they are likely to be killed at any moment.
10. Where did they go?
Malcolm flees to England and Donalbain to Ireland. Their separation keeps them both
safer than if they had fled together.
Act III
1.
Why did Macbeth want Banquo murdered?
Only Banquo knows about the witches’ prophesies, and Banquo’s sons are predicted to
become kings. Macbeth has no son, thus no heir, so he plans to kill Banquo and Fleance to
ensure that he keeps the crown until he dies of old age.
2. How did Macbeth persuade the murderers?
He convinces the murderers that Banquo was responsible for their low position in society.
3. Whom were they to kill?
They were meant to kill Banquo and Fleance.
4. Why was Macbeth distressed by the escape of Fleance?
Fleance is a direct threat to Macbeth’s crown.
5. How did Lady Macbeth feel about the murder of Banquo?
Trick question! She does not know.
6. Why did Macbeth see the ghost of Banquo?
His guilt may be driving him insane.
7. How did Lady Macbeth explain her husband’s strange behavior?
She passes it off as an illness.
8. What happened to the guests at the banquet?
When they ask Macbeth what “sights” are terrifying him, Lady Macbeth dismisses the
court. She is afraid that Macbeth has said too much and drawn suspicion upon himself.
9. What happened when Macbeth sent for Macduff to come to court?
We learn that Macduff has gone to England to recruit aid in an effort to unseat Macbeth.
10. What does Lennox report about Macduff?
This is the report that Lennox gives to Macbeth, that Macduff has gone to England. This
news will not sit well with Macbeth, who next plans to murder Macduff’s entire family.
Essay possibilities:
A) Through Act III, how well does Macbeth fit Aristotle’s definition of a
tragic hero? Use specific examples from the play to show Macbeth’s noble
qualities, his tragic flaw, his error in judgment, and his tremendous loss.
B) How has Macbeth’s character changed from the beginning of the play to
the end of Act III? What do you attribute to this change of character?
Use specific examples to support your observations.
C) Why is Act III considered the “technical climax” of the play? What have
been Macbeth’s good fortunes up to this point, and what occurs in Act III
that could ultimately lead to Macbeth’s ruin?