Collections Grade 10 Guiding Questions

Collections Grade 10 Guiding Questions

Collection 5

The Tragedy of Macbeth by William Shakespeare

Read the drama The Tragedy of Macbeth by William Shakespeare. Then, reread the lines indicated with each question below. Answer each question, citing text evidence.

1.  Character List: Who is Duncan? Who is Macbeth in relation to Duncan? How will understanding this relationship help you as you read? What might you predict based on the character descriptions?

ACT I

2.  Sc. 1, Line 10: What do the three witches mean? Make a prediction about the significance of this statement to the drama as a whole.

3.  Sc. 2, Lines 8–9: Identify the figurative language in these lines and explain what comparison Shakespeare is making. What idea is Shakespeare trying to communicate through this figure of speech?

4.  Sc. 2, Lines 16–23: Explain what the Captain says Macbeth has done to Macdonwald. Make inferences about Macbeth using details in the Captain’s description of the act. How does your inference compare to the description of a tragic hero in the introduction to Shakespearean tragedy that appears on pages 210–212?

5.  Sc. 2, Lines 66–70: Summarize the exchange between Duncan and Ross. Why is Macbeth given this reward?

6.  Sc. 3, Lines 4–25: What are the witches discussing? What does the act they are discussing suggest about the witches?

7.  Sc. 3, Line 38: Why does Macbeth call the day both foul and fair? Explain how the line relates to the theme and why it is relevant that Macbeth is saying this line.

8.  Sc. 3, Lines 48–61; 65–76: What do the witches say to Macbeth? How does Macbeth respond? Explain what Macbeth’s response reveals about his character.

9.  Sc. 3, Lines 48–50; 70–76: How could the witches’ greeting and Macbeth’s reaction to it foreshadow his tragic flaw?

10. Sc. 3, Lines 79–85: Summarize the exchange between Banquo and Macbeth. What do these different reactions suggest about their characters?

11. Sc. 3, Lines 89–100: What does Ross say in these lines? Do you think this is a fair and accurate assessment of Macbeth? Why or why not?

12. Sc. 3, Lines 118–126: Contrast Banquo’s and Macbeth’s reactions now that the first part of the witches’ prophecy has come true. What do these reactions tell you about Macbeth’s ambition?

13. Sc. 3, Lines 143–144: What is another theme that has emerged involving Macbeth specifically? What does Macbeth mean in these lines and how does this help establish the theme?

14. Sc. 3, Lines 146–147: What do these lines reveal about Macbeth’s beliefs?

15. Sc. 4, Lines 11–14: What does Duncan say about the former Thane of Cawdor? Explain how Duncan’s first line supports the theme about appearance vs. reality.

16. Sc. 4, Lines 27–30: What does Duncan plan to do? Why is he doing this? Given Duncan’s earlier statement, what does this reveal about Duncan’s nature? How do his words help develop the plot or hint at future events?

17. Sc. 4, Lines 48–53: Paraphrase these lines. How do the lines contrast with Macbeth’s earlier thoughts about his destiny? How do Macbeth’s thoughts help develop the theme?

18. Sc. 5, Lines 12–27: What can you infer about Lady Macbeth based on her soliloquy?

19. Sc. 5, Lines 12–27: What “nature” of Macbeth does Lady Macbeth fear? Based on Macbeth’s words and actions so far, do you believe Lady Macbeth has reason to be concerned? Explain.

20. Sc. 5, Lines 35–50: Which words and phrases in Lady Macbeth’s soliloquy have strong connotations? What mood do these words create, and what do they reveal about Lady Macbeth?

21. Sc. 5, Lines 60–63: How do these lines reflect one or more of the themes? How do these themes relate to each other?

22. Sc. 5, Lines 62–63: What does Lady Macbeth tell her husband to act like? Why is a serpent an appropriate comparison? Who do you think is more like a serpent—Macbeth or Lady Macbeth? Why?

23. Sc. 6, Lines 24–31: How does the way the king addresses Lady Macbeth show dramatic irony?

24. Sc. 7, Lines 1–28: What change has occurred in Macbeth’s character?

25. Sc. 7, Lines 25–28: Predict what lines 25–28 foreshadow.

26. Sc. 7, Lines 30–35: What do Macbeth’s thoughts and his declaration to Lady Macbeth reveal about his motivations and internal conflict?

27. Sc. 7, Lines 36–45: What is the effect of the sarcasm in Lady Macbeth’s lines?

28. Sc. 7, Lines 72–74: Paraphrase what Macbeth says to Lady Macbeth. Explain how this line reflects Lady Macbeth’s earlier request (Scene 5, line 38) that the dark spirits “unsex her.”

29. Sc. 7, Lines 77–82: How does the dialogue between Lady Macbeth and Macbeth reflect one of the themes of the play?