1.1.10 What Theme Is Introduced with This Paradoxical Line?

Macbeth

Key Scenes & Lines

Act I

1.1.10 What theme is introduced with this paradoxical line?

1.2.16-23 What is the first adjective used to describe Macbeth? Note that Macbeth is a fearsome warrior.

1.2.24 What two adjectives does the king use to describe Macbeth?

1.2.63-65 Explain the irony of Duncan’s pronouncement.

1.3.38 To what do we connect Macbeth’s first words?

1.3.48-50 With what three titles do the weird sisters greet Macbeth?

1.3.67 What prophecy do they give Banquo?

1.3.105-110 What title does Ross deliver to Macbeth? Quote Banquo’s reaction. Note the motif of clothing. 1.3.122-126 What is the significance of Banquo’s truism in these lines?

1.3.128-142 [Aside] Paraphrase the aside. How does the aside characterize Macbeth?

1.4.7-11 How can we compare the description of Cawdor to Macbeth?

1.4.12-15 Explain the irony of these lines.

1.4.48-58 [Aside] Who is the Prince of Cumberland? How does the aside characterize Macbeth?

1.5.15-16 How does Lady Macbeth view her husband in these lines?

1.5.63-65 How do these lines function thematically?

1.6.1-3 How are these lines related to the previous ones?

1.7.1-28 [Soliloquy] Paraphrase the soliloquy. How can lines 25-28 possibly do the play a disservice?

1.7.54-59 Characterize Lady Macbeth in these lines.

Act II

2.1.33-64 [Soliloquy] Paraphrase the soliloquy.

2.2.12-13 What do these lines reveal about Lady Macbeth?

2.2.66 Explain the irony of Lady Macbeth’s use of understatement.

2.3.89-94 Characterize Macbeth in these lines.

2.3.99-103 Whom does Lennox blame for the murder? Why?

2.3.105 Why is Macduff’s question so important?

2.3.114-116 What is Macbeth’s response?

2.3.135-144 What do Malcolm and Donalbain intend to do? Why?

2.4.10-19 The Old Man and Ross discuss “unnatural” happenings. Relate to another Shakespeare play.

2.4.35-36 How does Macduff’s reply relate to his question in 2.3.105?

Act III

3.1.1-3 What is Banquo’s assessment of Macbeth?

3.1.48-72 [Soliloquy] Paraphrase the soliloquy.

3.2.4-7 Characterize Lady Macbeth’s attitude in these lines?

3.2.13-15 What does Macbeth mean in these lines?

3.4.28-31 [Aside] Explain Macbeth’s aside. Who is the serpent? Who is the worm?

3.4.46-51 Why may we consider these lines and the preceding ones the turning point of the play?

3.4.136-140 Who will pay the price promised in these lines?

3.6 Summarize the rumors Lennox and the Lord discuss.?

Act IV

4.1.44-45 Look up this expression. What does it mean?

4.1.71-72 Explain the first prophecy.

4.1.79-81 Explain the second prophecy.

4.1.92-94 Explain the third prophecy.

4.1.144-156 [Aside] Paraphrase the aside.

4.2 How do we view Macbeth after this scene?

4.3.58-66 How does Malcolm characterize himself in these lines?

4.3.67-70 How does Macduff respond?

4.3.102-103 How does Macduff assess Malcolm revelations of how he will govern Scotland?

4.3.114-121 Why has Malcolm acted the way he has?

4.3.216-219 How are Malcolm and Macduff now similar as stock chracters?

Act V

5.1.25-35 What do the Doctor and the Gentlewoman report?

5.3.1-3 What prophecy does Macbeth believe in here?

5.3.22-28 Characterize Macbeth in these lines.

5.4.4-7 How is the weird sisters’ equivocation revealed here?

5.5.19-28[Soliloquy – memorize passage]

5.7.1-4 What prophecy does Macbeth believe to be true in these lines?

5.8.1-3 Relate Macbeth’s comment about playing the “Roman fool” to Horatio in the final scene of Hamlet

5.8.12-16 Explain the equivocal nature of the weird sisters’ prophecy.