Act 1, Sc. 1
1. This is a very short scene. Why even bother to start the play with it? What is its purpose and effect?
2. What two future events do the witches prophecy in this scene?
3. A paradox is a statement that appears to be self-contradictory but which is nonetheless true. Explain how the last two lines of the scene are a paradox.
Act 1, Sc. 2
1. Based on what we see of him in this scene what is the King, Duncan, like? Describe his character.
2. This scene has many references to blood and violence. Along with the previous scene, what mood or atmosphere is established at this early stage in the play.
3. The bleeding sergeant utilizes a number of comparisons to describe the progress of the battle. Choose at least two metaphors which you consider especially effective and explain fully the comparisons drawn. Explain why you think the comparisons are effective.
Act 1, Sc. 3
1. At the beginning of this scene we learn that the witches have powers beyond just predicting the future. What are those powers?
2. What is the significance of the first thing Macbeth says in the play?
3. Which is a more desirable prophecy: to be a king or to be the father of a line of kings? Why?
4. Compare Banquo’s and Macbeth’s reactions to the witches’ predictions. What do the differences tell us about the two men?
5. In line 52, Banquo asks Macbeth why he is startled and seems to fear things that sound so fair. Macbeth has just received excellent news. What could he be thinking that would cause him to react the way he does?
6. What foreshadowing does Banquo provide us in this scene?
7. Macbeth’s first soliloquy is in this scene, lines 127-142. Rewrite the soliloquy in your own words. What insights do we gain into Macbeth’s character?
Act 1, Scene 4
1. Dramatic irony is when the words or actions of a character contain more meaning and significance for the audience than they do for the character. Provide examples of dramatic irony in Scene 3. What do these examples reveal about these characters?
2. Duncan is a kind and generous king. However he can be seen as having at least one major shortcoming. What is it? Provide evidence from this scene to support your opinion.
3. According to lines 56-61, where is Macbeth in his temptation to kill the king? How is this a change in his position and what provoked this change?
4. Related to question 3. Create a timeline showing where Macbeth is on a spectrum with not wanting to kill the King at one end and murderous villain at the other end.
Act 1, Scene 5
1. The opening sentence in Macbeth’s letter makes it very clear how he feels about the Weird Sisters. What is his opinion of them? Would he feel this way if he thought the witches were evil and trying to trick him?
2. According to Lady Macbeth, what is Macbeth like? What do we learn about his character? What is Lady Macbeth like?
3. Describe the Macbeth’s relationship. Do they love each other? Or is it a marriage of convenience? Support your answer with reference to the text.
4. How does Macbeth react to his wife’s encouragement to murder the King? What does this indicate about his own thoughts and feelings on the murder?
Macbeth – Act 1, Scene 6&7
1. How does the opening dialogue between Duncan and Banquo in Scene 6 depend on dramatic irony for its effect?
2. Why doesn’t Macbeth greet Duncan when he arrives at Macbeth’s castle? Where do you think Macbeth is?
3. Rewrite Macbeth’s soliloquy from Scene 7
Original / Your VersionMacb.If it were done when ’tis done, then ’twere well
It were done quickly; if the assassination
Could trammel up the consequence, and catch
With his surcease success; that but this blow
Might be the be-all and the end-all here,
But here, upon this bank and shoal of time,
We’d jump the life to come.
But in these cases
We still have judgment here; that we but teach
Bloody instructions, which, being taught, return
To plague the inventor; this even-handed justice
Commends the ingredients of our poison’d chalice
To our own lips. He’s here in double trust:
First, as I am his kinsman and his subject,
Strong both against the deed; then, as his host,
Who should against his murderer shut the door,
Not bear the knife myself.
Besides, this Duncan
Hath borne his faculties so meek, hath been
So clear in his great office, that his virtues
Will plead like angels trumpet-tongu’d against
The deep damnation of his taking-off;
And pity, like a naked new-born babe,
Striding the blast, or heaven’s cherubin, hors’d
Upon the sightless couriers of the air,
Shall blow the horrid deed in every eye,
That tears shall drown the wind.
I have no spur
To prick the sides of my intent, but only
Vaulting ambition, which o’er-leaps itself
And falls on the other.—
4. How does this soliloquy show Macbeth’s imagination, his ambition, his conscience, his honesty, and his cowardice?
5. How does Lady Macbeth convince her husband to go through with the murder? What admirable qualities does Lady Macbeth show? What despicable qualities does she demonstrate?
6. How do the last two lines of this scene echo the last words of Act 1, Scene 1?
Act 2, Sc. 1
1. What evidence is there in the text that (a) Banquo has been tempted by the prophecy made to him? (b) he is trying to resist the temptation?
2. How does the dagger soliloquy create atmosphere, advance the plot, and reveal character?
3. Why do you think Macbeth sees the dagger? Is he hallucinating? Is it a spell cast by the witches? Is it his conscience? Is it his over-active imagination? Support your opinion with reference to what we have already read in the play.
Act 2, Sc. 2
1. What evidence is there that Lady Macbeth is not as strong as she would have us believe?
2. Why does Shakespeare have Duncan killed offstage?
3. What sentiment does Macbeth express at the end of this scene? What does this reveal about his character? Why is it important for Shakespeare to show us this side of Macbeth?
4. How does Lady Macbeth save the situation in this scene?
Act 2, Scene 3
1. Why would Shakespeare have the scene with the Porter at this point in the play?
2. What reasons does Macbeth give for murdering the grooms? What was his real reason for killing them? In what ways is this wise? Foolish?
3. Give reasons for thinking that Lady Macbeth’s faint was (a) genuine, (b) faked. (c) What effect would each have on our opinion of her?
4. Of what importance is the intended flight of the King’s sons?
Act 2, Scene 4
1. What details are mentioned to show the unnatural aspect of the murder? What literary term are these details examples of?
2. How successful has Macbeth been in the achievement of his ambition?
3. Macduff says that he will return to his castle at Fife instead of going to Scone to see Macbeth invested as King. How might this be interpreted?
Act 3, Sc. 1
1. What evidence is there in this scene that Banquo (a) suspects Macbeth of the murder of Duncan? (b) is planning to make the prophecy come true?
2. By referring to Macbeth’s soliloquy (III, i, 48-72), summarize his reasons for wanting Banquo murdered.
3. Compare and contrast Macbeth’s soliloquy about Banquo (III,i,48-72) with his soliloquy about Duncan (I, vii, 1-28).
4. How do the plans for the second great crime differ from the plans for the first one?
5. Select and explain two examples of dramatic irony.
Act 3, Sc. 2
1. What evidence may be gathered from this scene to support the idea that Lady Macbeth’s faint was genuine?
2. Show by means of definite examples that the relationship between Macbeth and his wife has altered.
3. What evidence is there in this scene of (a) Macbeth’s growing ruthlessness? (b) his tormented conscience?
Act 3, Sc. 3
1. Some people believe that the ‘third murderer’ is Macbeth. What does the ‘third murderer’ say that supports this view?
2. What evidence in this scene suggests that Banquo told Fleance of the prophecy? What is in this scene, or rather not in this scene, to suggest that Banquo told Fleance that Macbeth would try to kill them?
3. What differences are there between the murder of Duncan and that of Banquo? What insights into Macbeth can we draw from these differences?
4. Which do you regard as the greater crime, the murder of Duncan or the murder of Banquo? Give reasons for you answer.
Act 3, Sc. 4
1. Which do you believe is the turning point of the play, the murder of Banquo, or the appearance of his ghost to Macbeth? Give reasons to support your answer.
2. What evidence is there in this scene to prove that Macbeth was not the third murderer?
3. What methods and arguments are used by Lady Macbeth in her attempts to restore her husband to normality?
4. How successful is Lady Macbeth in her attempts to save Macbeth from giving himself away?
5. Who does Macbeth now see as his biggest threat? Consider Fleance, Macduff, Malcolm and Donaldbain in you answer. At the end of this scene what does he plan to do to help with his concerns?
Act 3, Sc. 5
1. Few scholars believe that this scene was written by Shakespeare. Nevertheless it does provide us with some information concerning Macbeth’s fate. What does Hecates’s speech reveal?
2. If you were producing Macbeth for the stage, would you cut this scene or keep it? Defend you answer.
Act 3, Sc. 6
1. What information does the lord reveal concerning Macduff and Macbeth?
2. Who do you think will be Macbeth’s next victims? What evidence would suggest this?
3. By means of at least three examples show that Lennox’s speech (lines 1-24) is heavily sarcastic.
4. How does this scene provide an effective conclusion to Act 3?
Act 4, Sc. 1
1. What does each of the apparitions represent? State the prediction given by each.
2. Describe “Banquo’s revenge.” What is its effect on Macbeth?
3. How do the prophecies of Act 4 scene 1 differ from or resemble those made in Act 1, scene 3?
4. What difference is there between the plans for the third great crime and those that preceded the other two?
5. What evidence is there of the degeneration of Macbeth’s character in this scene?
Act 4, Sc. 2
1. Why may the third great crime be considered the worst? What does it prove about Macbeth?
2. Illustrate the following devices as they are exemplified in this scene: suspense, dramatic irony, pathos (the quality of arousing sorrow or pity), humour.
/ MacbethAct 4 Scenes 3
1. From this scene, give evidence of Malcolm’s prudence and high moral standards. What vices does he acknowledge he has? What qualities does he think he possess?
2. Summarize Malcolm’s recipe for an ideal king.
3. Of what dramatic importance is the testing of Macduff? What difference between Malcolm and his father is illustrated by this testing?
4. What contrasts are implied between Macbeth and Edward the confessor.
5. Illustrate the following characteristics of Macduff with evidence from the text: patriotism, moral standards, honesty, deep human affections determination to secure revenge, blunt manner of speaking.
6. Why does Shakespeare choose to make Macduff rather than Malcolm Macbeth’s nemesis?
7. By giving at least three examples of its use, show that dramatic irony dominates this scene.
Act 5, Sc. 1
1. What do you think Lady Macbeth writes on the piece of paper while she is sleepwalking?
2. Why won’t the Gentlewoman tell the Doctor what she has heard Lady Macbeth say in her sleep?
3. In this scene Lady Macbeth makes reference to all three crimes. What are those references? Why would she be troubled by the second and third crime when she wasn’t involved in either of them?
4. Blood is mentioned several times throughout the play, but it is of particular importance in this scene. What does blood represent in this scene? Over the whole play?
5. Show how Lady Macbeth continues to show concern that Macbeth will betray himself.
6. What is the Doctor’s prescription for Lady Macbeth? What would a modern doctor prescribe?
7. Who is Lady Macbeth talking to in this scene? Support your answer with reference to the text.
Act 5, Sc. 2
1. What future events do we learn about from this scene?
2. What images are used to describe Scotland under Macbeth’s rule?
Act 5, Sc. 3
1. How does Macbeth reveal his basic insecurity? Give specific references.
2. There is an attempt in this scene to bring some sympathy back to Macbeth in this scene. What does he realize about his reign as king and Scotland under his reign? Do we, or should we, feel any sympathy for Macbeth?
3. How does Macbeth feel about medicine? Why does he feel this way?
4. What is Macbeth counting on to be true to protect his crown?
Act 5, Sc. 4
1. What do we learn of Macbeth’s plans?
2. How does scene 4 provide a contrast with scene 3?
3. What qualities does Malcolm demonstrate in this scene? What qualities doe Macduff demonstrate?