Download 2016 Macbeth Study Guide

MACBETH, ACT I STUDY GUIDE QUESTIONS
The play begins on page 350 of the textbook. If you have trouble accessing the online textbook, you may also access the full text of
the play from any of the following websites: www.folgerdigitaltexts.org; www.shakespeare-online.com;
shakespeare.mit.edu/macbeth/
What is the setting for Macbeth (time period, etc.)?
Scene 1
1. In ll.10-11, what is the meaning of these lines and what theme do these lines introduce?
2. What mood is established with the appearance of three witches in the first scene of this play?
3. What element do the witches represent that was also present in Beowulf and Sir Gawain?
Scene 2
1. Reread lines 15-40. What great feat has Macbeth accomplished for Duncan? What does it convey about his character?
2. Note the use of blood in this scene (lines 18, 38-40). What is the significance expressed here?
3. Reread lines 35-42. How does Macbeth react to the new assault by Norway?
4. In what way does the word choice in ll.53-55, highlight the mood?
5. Reread lines 50-68. According to the report that Ross makes, what has Macbeth accomplished? How does the king reward
Macbeth for his ambition?
6. Review the plot summary for Scene 2. Does Macbeth seem to be overly ambitious at this point? Explain.
Scene 3
1. What is the metaphor expressed in ll.24? What does this suggest about the witches’ powers?
2. What is the meaning of weird in ll.32?
3. In ll.65-66, explain the two paradoxes in the witches’ prophecy about Banquo.
4. Reread lines 39-78. In what ways have the witches shown that they represent supernatural forces?
5. In lines 65-68, the witches compare Banquo to Macbeth and prophesy that Banquo will not be king but will father (get) future
kings. What do you think their words predict for Macbeth?
6. Reread lines 39-82. In what ways have the witches shown that they represent supernatural forces?
7. Reread lines 83-85, 117-127. Compare and contrast Banquo’s and Macbeth’s reactions to the witches.
8. What new ambition does Macbeth reveal in lines 116-126?
9. How do Banquo’s words in ll.120-27 suggest that Macbeth is overly ambitious and that his new goal may be unworthy?
10. Reread Macbeth’s aside in lines 130-142. What private thoughts does he reveal to the audience? Why might he want to keep
these thoughts hidden from the other characters?
Scene 4
1. Notice that in lines 11-14, Duncan admits he misjudged the thane of Cawdor, who proved a traitor. What might this
admission foreshadow about the king?
2. Contrast the two elements that are depicted in ll.41-52.
3. Be aware that in Macbeth’s aside in lines 48-53, he admits that he hopes the king will be murdered. Based on these lines,
what do you think is Macbeth’s tragic flaw?
4. Where is everyone going to spend the night? Predict what will happen.
Scene 5
1. Paraphrase lines 12-27 in which Lady Macbeth expresses her thoughts about the prophecies. What conclusions can you draw
about Lady Macbeth?
2. Consider lines 34-51. What role do you think Lady Macbeth will play in Macbeth’s downfall?
3. Interpret Lady Macbeth’s response in line 58 to Macbeth’s statement that Duncan plans to leave the next day.
4. How does Lady Macbeth’s words in lines 59-63 relate to Duncan’s statement, “there’s no art/To find the mind’s construction
in the face” from scene 4, lines 12-13?
5. As Scene 5 concludes, in lines 55-70, does Macbeth wish to satisfy his ambition to become king? Explain.
Scene 6
1. Contrast the image of the martlet in lines 3-10 with that of the bird Lady Macbeth imagined in Act 1, Scene 5, ll.35-36?
2. Why is the exchange between Lady Macbeth and Duncan in line 25-31 ironic?
Scene 7
1. Note that in lines 12-28 of his soliloquy, Macbeth lists the reasons why he shouldn’t kill Duncan. How will others characters
react if Macbeth kills the king?
2. In lines 13-28, what does Macbeth acknowledge about his ambition? What does his acknowledgement suggest about his state
of mind at this point?
3. In ll.35-38, Lady Macbeth says that Macbeth had clothed himself in hope. How does she then personify hope? What is she
trying to achieve through this personification?
4. How appropriate do you think the word coward is to describe Macbeth if he does not kill Duncan as Lady Macbeth says in
lines 41-45? Explain.
5. Reread lines 47-59. How does Lady Macbeth urge her husband to carry out his terrible plan?
6. Compare Macbeth’s words about a “false face” in the last line of this scene to Lady Macbeth’s words in ll. 59-63 from Scene
5.
MACBETH, ACT II Study Guide Questions
Scene 1
1. According to lines 6-9, what is happening to Banquo? What does this reveal about him?
2. According to lines 4-20, it is obvious that Banquo knows what about Macbeth?
3. Reread lines 16-18, in which Macbeth tells Banquo that he and his wife couldn’t entertain the king as they would
have liked. Why are these remarks ironic?
4. What does Macbeth’s soliloquy in lines 32-60 reveal about his state of mind? Cite details that support your
answer.
5. How does Macbeth’s soliloquy reflect the theme of appearance versus reality?
Scene 2
1. In lines 1-13, what is Lady Macbeth willing to do because of her ambition? Explain. In what sense does Lady
Macbeth’s ambition falter?
2. In lines 31-32, what advice does Lady Macbeth give her husband?
3. Based on lines 42-51, is Lady Macbeth sympathetic to Macbeth’s struggle? What do her responses reveal about
her character?
4. In ll. 34-38, identify the metaphors that describe sleep.
5. Reread lines 39-41. What mental state might the inability to sleep reflect? What do you suppose these lines
foreshadow for Macbeth?
6. According to lines 54-55, what does Lady Macbeth plan to do that Macbeth failed to do earlier? How do her
actions reflect the theme of appearance verses reality?
7. Reread lines 57-67. How does the imagery concerning blood and water in Macbeth’s speech contrast with that in
Lady Macbeth’s speech? What is the significance of this difference?
8. How serious is Macbeth when he says he wishes Duncan could be awakened by the knocking? Explain.
9. How is killing Duncan different from killing Macdonwald? How are they similar?
Scene 3
1. The porter’s speech in lines 1-16 provides comic relief, which breaks the tension of the preceding scene. What
specific details in the Porter’s speech in lines 1-16 suggests that Macbeth’s castle is hell? What is ironic about the
porter’s notion that he is opening hell’s gate?
2. What is ironic about Macduff’s use of the word timely in line 37?
3. Summarize the strange events of the night that Lennox discusses in lines 46-53 and what confusion they foretell.
Would mood do these strange events foretell?
4. Recall Lady Macbeth’s soliloquy in Act One, in which she calls on the spirits of evil to “unsex her.” How do
Macduff’s words in lines 75-78 ironically echo Lady Macbeth’s earlier speech?
5. In lines 98-110, in what ways does Macbeth conceal his true ambition? As the servants’ murders are discussed,
who seems suspicious of Macbeth? Why did Macbeth murder the servants (consider what reason he gives and
what secret reason he has for doing so)?
6. What may cause Lady Macbeth to cry out right after Macbeth’s speech in lines 100-110?
7. Reread lines 111-116. Are Malcolm and Donalbain ready to discuss their father’s murder with the other men?
Why or why not? Was it wise for Malcolm and Donalbain to leave?
8. In lines 120-24, what does Banquo say is his future plan of action? Who does Banquo most likely suspect of
killing Duncan and why?
Scene 4
1. According to lines 1-20, on what idea do Ross and the Old Man agree? Name two details that each character
mentions in support of that idea.
2. What details in this scene suggest that Shakespeare is writing for a superstitious audience?
3. In lines 24-30, Macduff and Ross are incorrect in suspecting Duncan’s sons, but what do their words suggest
about the power of a person’s ambition? Although Macduff and Ross do not suspect Macbeth, how do their
thoughts about ambition apply to him?
Macbeth, Act III Study Guide Questions
Scene 1
1. Reread lines 1-10, in which Banquo hopes the witches’ predictions for him will come true as they have for
Macbeth. Why might Banquo want to hide his thoughts from Macbeth?
2. Reread lines 47-71. Why does Macbeth feel threatened in this scene? How does he plan to resolve this problem?
3. In lines 48-56, how does Macbeth characterize Banquo?
4. Does Macbeth have a valid reason to be fearful of Banquo? Why or why not?
5. In lines 70-71, Macbeth challenges fate to enter the combat arena so that he can fight it to the death. What will be
the likely result of Macbeth’s efforts to fight fate?
6. What is ironic about Macbeth’s words in ll.103-107?
7. Reread lines 115-125. What has Macbeth led the murderers to believe about Banquo?
8. Macbeth is the king, so why doesn’t he just order Banquo’s murder (refer to lines 115-125)?
9. What does Macbeth’s reasoning in lines 115-125, suggest about his character? How has Macbeth changed since
the beginning of the play?
10. What are Macbeth’s final instructions to the murderers in lines 127-138?
11. How is the couplet at the end of Act III, Scene 1: “It is concluded. Banquo, thy soul’s flight, If it find heaven,
must find it out tonight.” like the closing couplet of Act II, Scene 1:“The bell invites me. Hear it not, Duncan, for
it is a knell that summons they to heaven or to hell.”?
Scene 2
1. In line 4-19, how do the couple’s words show that achieving an ambition may not automatically bring
satisfaction?
2. Reread lines 8-26.
a. What advice has Lady Macbeth given her husband about what he has done?
b. What metaphor does Macbeth use to describe his present situation? Why is this comparison ironic?
c. Do you think Macbeth really thinks it would be better “with the dead”?
3. How is the motif of sleeplessness highlighted in ll. 17-26?
4. How do Macbeth’s words in ll.33-34 play on the “Fair is foul, and foul is fair” theme?
Scene 3
1. Why is line “O, treachery! Fly, good Fleance, fly, fly, fly!” the turning point for Macbeth?
2. In lines 17-22, as Scene 3 concludes, what might Fleance’s ambition be after the murder of his father?
Scene 4
1. Notice that Macbeth admits his fear in the aside in lines 21-25. What further actions might Macbeth take as a
result of his fears?
2. Why is Macbeth’s question to the Murderer in line 25 “But Banquo’s safe?” ironic?
3. In lines 29-31, who or what is the serpent? Who is “the worm that’s fled”?
4. To whom is Macbeth talking in l. 50-51? In what way are his words true?
5. In lines 53-58, Lady Macbeth tells her guests to pay no attention to her husband’s fit. Why is this situation ironic?
6. In lines 63-66, Lady Macbeth has resumed her earlier goading role, taunting Macbeth for being womanly or
acting weakly. What is her motivation?
7. In lines 84-96, how does Macbeth show ambition in this scene—in other words, what does he hope to
accomplish? Do you think that Macbeth will succeed?
8. In lines 122-140, what does Macbeth think will happen because of Banquo’s death?
9. Considering lines 122-140, how could Macbeth be characterized at this point? Cite evidence.
10. Think about how Macbeth has changed. Does it seem that he can be a successful king? Why or why not?
Scene 5
1. Reread lines 23-33. How does Hecate reveal herself to be Macbeth’s antagonist? What does she plan to do to
Macbeth and why?
Scene 6
1. According to the lord speaking in lines 24-39, how does Macduff hope to put an end to Macduff’s ambition? What does
the lord believe will happen if Macduff is successful?
2. What is Macbeth preparing for at the end of Act 3?
Macbeth, Act IV Study Guide Questions
Scene 1
1. What do lines 44-45 reveal about Macbeth and his decline?
2. Refer to lines 50-61.
a. What does Macbeth command the witches to do?
b. What is the purpose of Macbeth’s listing of disasters? Explain.
c. Do you think Macbeth is sane? Defend your opinion.
3. Detail the revelations from the four apparitions conjured up by the witches and how they effect
Macbeth.
4. Reread lines 79-81. Note the prophecy’s apparent promise of safety. What effect do you think the
prophecy will have on Macbeth?
5. In lines 82-86, how do Macbeth’s words prove that his ambition is ruthless?
6. Why are ll. 138-39 ironic? Which type of irony do they demonstrate?
7.
8.
9.
10.
In lines 94-105, what does Macbeth’s final question reveal about his ambition?
In lines 144-156, what news has Lennox just brought to Macbeth?
Reread lines 144-149. What seems to be Macbeth’s rationale for striking impulsively against Macduff?
How does the murder of Duncan show that Macbeth has not always been governed by impulse. Trace how
Macbeth’s behavior has change from that point to this one.
Scene 2
1. Reread lines 3-14. Why is Lady Macduff upset?
a. In what sense are Lady Macduff’s comments about her husband ironic?
2. What do the messenger’s words in lines 61-69 reveal about how Macbeth’s ambition has affected
Scotland as a whole?
3. Reread Lady Macduff’s speech in lines 69-75. How have some of the characters in the drama reflected
her conclusions about “this earthly world”?
Scene 3
1. What is ironic about Macduff’s speech in line 2-8?
2. In lines 44-66, how does Malcolm compare his supposed ambition to Macbeth’s? What does Malcolm
reveal about his own character with such talk?
3. Reread lines 66-100. How does Macduff respond to Malcolm’s confession of lust?
a. What does Malcolm say about his greed? How is Macduff’s response similar to his response to
Malcolm’s lust?
b. At this point in their discussion, do Macduff’s responses to Malcolm’s statements make Macduff
seem honorable and trustworthy—that is, someone whom Malcolm can trust? Why or why not?
4. Reread lines 114-137. Why does Malcolm pretend to be evil?
a. How can the audience tell that test of Macduff is now over?
b. What “king-becoming graces” does Malcolm’s speech demonstrate?
5. Reread lines 164-173, in which the audience learns that in Macbeth’s bloody reign, screams go
unnoticed (are made, not marked) and violent sorrow has become commonplace (modern ecstasy). What
emotions does Macbeth inspire as a tragic hero at this point?
6. In lines 187-193, what does Ross think would fuel the ambition of the people of Scotland to fight against
Macbeth?
7. What difference between Malcolm and Duncan does this scene highlight?
8. What event does Macduff’s speech in lines 233-238 foreshadow?
9. Reread line 239-243. In what way is Macbeth “ripe for shaking”?
MACBETH ACT V STUDY GUIDE QUESTIONS
Scene 1
1. Reread lines 28-32, in which Lady Macbeth relives how she persuaded her husband to murder Duncan. What
appears to have happened to Lady Macbeth as a result of their plot?
2. In lines 40-50, what event is Lady Macbeth reliving in her sleepwalking?
3. Reread lines 54-55; then review line 12 in Act Three, Scene 2. How does the difference in these comments reflect
a change in Lady Macbeth?
4. Consider Macbeth’s words about blood in Act Two Scene 2, lines 57-61: “What hands are here? Ha, they pluck out
mine eyes. Will all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood clean from my hand? No, this my hand will rather the
multitudinous seas incarnadine, making the green one red.” to Lady Macbeth’s actions in this scene. How do
Macbeth and Lady Macbeth seem to have switched roles in this scene?
Scene 2
1. In lines 25-29, what is the ambition of the Scottish rebels, and how do they intend to achieve it? What does their
ambition reveal about them?
Scene 3
1. Reread lines 11-29. As the scene opens, why does Macbeth speak the words “Fear not, Macbeth”?
a. How do Macbeth’s feelings change when the servant announces that ten thousand soldiers are
approaching?
b. Do Macbeth’s expressed feelings make readers sympathize more with him as a tragic hero?
2. In lines 39-45, Macbeth asks the doctor to remove the sorrow from Lady Macbeth’s memory and relieve her
overburdened heart. Why are these lines so moving?
3. What “disease” does Macbeth refer to in line 51? What is ironic about his metaphor?
4. How would you characterize Macbeth’s ambition in lines 58-62, as Scene 3 concludes?
Scene 4
1. In lines 4-7, Malcolm orders his men to cut down tree branches to camouflage themselves and confuse Macbeth’s
scouts. How will this affect the prophecy about Birnam Wood?
Scene 5
1. What food imagery does Macbeth use in ll. 9-15? What is he saying?
2. How does Macbeth view his ambitions now according to lines 19-28?
3. What metaphors does Macbeth use for life in lines 24-28? To which major theme of the play do these images
relate?
4. Reread lines 47-52. Note that Macbeth vows to take action, which will probably lead to the drama’s catastrophe, or
tragic resolution. What is the likely outcome of his action?
Scene 6
1. Reread line 9-10. In what way are the trumpets “clamorous harbingers of blood and death”? Line 9 is an example of
what type of figurative language?
Scene 7
1. When Macbeth says, “They have tied me to a stake” (line 1), to whom is he referring? What does that mean?
2. Notice how Macbeth taunts Young Siward in lines 5 and 9. What do these taunts reveal about Macbeth’s state of
mind?
3. Be aware that in lines 11-13, Macbeth recalls the third prophecy. What conclusion might Macbeth draw from
killing young Siward?
4. In Scene 7, lines 24-29, who seems to have lost ambition? What does this change in attitude indicate about
Macbeth’s status?
Scene 8
1. What motivates Macbeth to say, “My soul is too much charged / With blood of thine already” (lines 5-6)?
2. Why might it be fitting for Macbeth to be tricked by “palter[ing] ...in a double sense”? Refer to lines 20-22 and the
side note in the textbook for lines 19-22.
3. A tragic hero typically realizes how he has contributed to his own downfall and faces his end with dignity. Notice
that in lines 27-34, Macbeth realizes that he is doomed. To what extent is he redeemed by his determination to fight to the
death?
4. What is Siward’s reaction to the news of his son’s death in lines 47-50?
5. Malcolm and Macduff differ somewhat in their ambition. In lines 55-76, as the play closes, how have their ambitions
been fulfilled? Be specific.
6. Reread lines 61-76. What kind of ruler will Malcolm be? Provide evidence.