Macbeth Study Questions
ACT I

Scene 1:

1) The play opens with thunder and lightning as the three witches enter.  What does this tell us about the mood of the play?  What do the witches symbolize beyond just superstition?  Do you really believe that they are witches? Its dark and a bit scary. Possibly a dark evil. yes but they also seem to act like oracles.





2) What does the witches mean when they say, “Fair is foul, and foul is fair”?  What does this tell you about what is likely to go on during the play?





3) How can a battle be “Lost and won”?  What foreshadow might this set-up?  What is the real battle in this play? you may win ut have to give up more than what its worthMacbeths rise and struggle to get his power. The witches wanting to gain something from Macbeth.





4) Graymalkin and Paddock are familiars (a cat and a toad).  What does this suggest about the action of the play?  What might they symbolize?



Scene ii

1) What does the bloody man report?
That they have gained there first victory and the battle.



2) Why is Macdonwald a worthy rebel?
He is said to be fearless and merciless and text say that there are evil in his creation




3) What similes or metaphors does the captain (the bloody man) use to describe Macbeth and Banquo?  What is significant about these descriptions? Macbeth and ban quill are eagles and lions(or majestic)







4)  “Except they meant to bathe in reeking wounds, or memorize another Golgotha.”  What is the allusion?  What is significant about the statement?   What does it suggest?  Please keep in mind the religious/superstitious images/symbols already presented.
Where christ was crucified. comparing battle to christ being crucified might suggests an idea of sins and forgiveness. both lady and macbeth cannot repent there sins.






5) Who was Scotland fighting?


Scene iii

1) Why do the witches talk in poetry?
Thats how they are able to cast spells


2) What do the witches predict for Macbeth?  What is the dramatic irony involved?
That he will become king, yet he doesn't believe he's worthy or doesn't know.




3) What do they witches predict for Banquo?  What irony is involved in this promise? that Banquo off spring will be king. if macbeth is king and banquo will be king someones family will give out.





4) What is your first impression of Macbeth in scenes ii-iii?  What is your first impression of Banquo?
A bit gullible can be manipulated. He is smart a bit more cautious.


5) How do Macbeth and Banquo differ in their reactions to the witches predictions?  What does this tell us about their characters? Banquo is a bit ore rash and takes caution. Macbeth is not.





6) What message does Ross bring?
That macbeth is going to be thane of cawdor


7) “But ‘tis strange!  And oftentimes, to win us to our harm, the instruments of darkness tell us truths, win us with honest trifles, to betray us in deepest consequence.”  Who speaks the above quote?  What is the significance or meaning of the quote? He may not realizing that winning or getting what is offered isn't the greatest idea.

Scene iv

1) What is Malcolm’s description of Cawdor’s execution?
    He describes Cawdor dying nobly, confessing freely and repenting his crimes.

2) What is the King’s response to this description? He slightly grieves noting the trust he had put in him. 



3) Who does the King name as his successor?  How does Macbeth react to this information?
Malcome, Macbeth is happy but yet now feels theres another barrier between him and the crown.


4)  “Stars hide your fires!  Let not light see my black and deep desires.  The eye wink at the hand; yet let that be, which the eye fears, when it is done, to see.”  Who speaks this quote and what is the significance of it? Macbeth, He hopes that duncan doesn't See his true motives from wanting to be king.

Scene iv
1. After Lady Macbeth reads the letter, what does she tell us is her opinion of Macbeth, and how does she plan to help him? She believes he need s a new position so she intends to kill the king so macbeth may take his spot.

 2. What is Lady Macbeth’s “prayer” to the spirits after she learns Duncan is missing?
 She hopes that she may become a man to pull off her evil plot.

3. What advice does Lady Macbeth give Macbeth when he arrives home?
to jus follow her lead. and to look like the innocent flower but be the serpent beneath it.

4. What are Macbeth’s arguments to himself against killing Duncan ?
 He give him the is honorable title and that he was invited as a guest so technically he mud the protected.
5. What arguments does Lady Macbeth use to convince Macbeth to commit the murder?

6. What is Lady Macbeth’s plan? 
to get the guards drunk, kill duncan, then plant the knife on the guards.

Elements of Tragedy

1) Must have a tragic hero


2) The character must be fated to fall


3) Internal and external conflict


4) It has dramatic foils


5) The audience learns something about the nature of human existence


Elements of Tragic Hero

1) Noble birth


2) Loyal, virtuous, full of high morals.


3) Tragic flaw


4) Tragic flaw causes downfall


5) Audience learns something from characters downfall



Dramatic Foils (definition): Two characters that contrast as a way to bring out there personality or gaits.


Example: Banquil and Macbeth


List of Motifs from ACT 1.

birds, Eagles= Macbeth an banquil= majestic powerful. Sparrows= invading army. Martlet=                      Crow=                      Owl=

"Fair is fowl, Fowl is fair"

Weather=

idea of things being planted or grown

1) Mirth=noun, amusement, esp. as expressed in laughter



I couldn't control my mirth after i saw the video about the mouse that scared the snake.
2) Liege= noun, a feudal lord entitled to allegiance and service.
"Oh Jeffry, my most trusted liege; may I ask that you help my and I family in these dark times.

3) Parricide= noun, the act of killing one's father, mother, or other close relative.
"lord Reginald you have been accused for the act of parricide in order to achieve wealth, how do you plead?"
"Guilty you honor but ill be able to afford bail."

4) Verity=noun, plural, the state or quality of being true; accordance with fact or reality
The verity of the time when Reginald was gone and his fathers death was accepted and Reginald was given a two year sentence.
5) Avarice= noun, insatiable greed for riches 
It would be the ints avarice that leads to his downfall as he keeps on making his people pay him.
6) Avaunt= adverb, away; hence
"Avaunt! i do not wish to speak with the likes of you filthy peasants."
7) Posterity= noun, succeeding or future generations collectively

8) Homage= noun, respect or reverence paid or rendered

9) Cloistered= Adjective, secluded from the world

10) Equivocator= verb, to use ambiguous or unclear expressions, usually to avoid commitment or in order to mislead; prevaricate or hedge

11) Eminence= noun, high station, rank, or repute

12) Avouch= verb, to make frank acknowledgment or affirmation of; declare or assert with positiveness

13) Thralls=noun, a person who is in bondage; slave

14) Malevolence= noun, the quality, state, or feeling of being malevolent; ill will; malice; hatred.