Name______Mods______
MACBETH
Act One
The opening scene establishes an atmosphere of foreboding. What does the line “Fair is foul, and foul is fair” suggest about coming events?
Act 1--Scene 2
In this scene, the Sergeant recounts Macbeth’s actions in battle.
1. What images does he associate with Macbeth?
2. Using the Sergeant’s description, characterize Macbeth.
Act 1--Scenes 3 and 4
1. During Scene 3, what prophesies do the witches make for Macbeth and Banquo?
2. When Macbeth enters in Scene 3, why does he say, “So foul and fair a day I have not seen”?
3. How does the witches’ first prophesy for Macbeth come true?
4. What public announcement does Duncan make?
5. Explain the meaning of Macbeth’s aside: “The Prince of Cumberland! That is a stop / On which I must fall down or else o’erleap / For in my way it lies.”
Act 1--Scenes 5 and 6
1. When Lady Macbeth reads Macbeth’s letter, her reactions to letter show she is eager for her husband to be king. What are her criticisms of Macbeth?
2. What do Lady Macbeth’s soliloquies reveal about her character?
Act 1--Scene 7
1. Duncan comes to Macbeth’s home “in double trust.” What three relationships bind them?
2. What does Macbeth’s soliloquy reveal about his state of mind?
3. Macbeth is on the verge of giving up his plan to murder Duncan. How does Lady Macbeth encourage him?
ACT TWO
Act 2--Scene 1
1. What sign do you see that, even before the murder, Macbeth is losing touch with reality?
Act 2--Scene 2
1. Exp-lain the use of sleep imagery in lines 47-73. How does it emphasize the difference between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth?
2. Comment on the blood/water imagery in lines 75-88. How does it emphasize the difference between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth?
Act 2--Scene 3
1. The porter’s speech at the beginning of the scene is intended as comic relief. However, what image is an extension of the atmosphere of the previous scene?
2. Lennox tells Macbeth of several strange events that indicate trouble. What are they?
3. Why does Macbeth kill the grooms?
4. Summarize the reactions of the following characters to Duncan’s death:
Banquo—
Malcolm—
Macduff—
Act 2--Scene 4
1. What three strange and unnatural events are described that would instill a sense of foreboding in a superstitious Elizabethan audience?
ACT THREE
Act 3--Scenes 1 and 2
1. Explain the irony in line 31 and lines 41-42.
2. How do these scenes show a moral change in Macbeth?
3. There is also a change in the relationship between Macbeth and his wife. What do the following lines in Scene 2 suggest?
Lines 10-11:
Lines 51-52:
Act 3--Scene 4
1. Cite at least two examples of speeches in which Macbeth seems to call forth Banquo’s ghost.
ACT FOUR
Act 4--Scenes 1 and 2
1. In the opening scene, the withces show Macbeth several apparitions. What four predictions do they make?
2. How is the murder of Macduff’s family different from Macbeth’s previous murders?
Act 4--Scene 3
1. How does Malcolm present himself to Macduff? Why?
2. What suggests Malcolm will be a strong leader?
3. When Macduff learns of the slaughter of his household, what does Malcolm mean when he tells him to “Dispute it like a man”?
ACT FIVE
Act 5--Scene 1
1. In Scene 1, a doctor and a lady-in-waiting observe Lady Macbeth. How has Lady Macbeth’s mental condition deteriorated?
Act 5--Scene 3
1. Macbeth laments his impending death, listing the things to which he might have looked forward. What are they?
Act 5--Scene 5
1. How would you characterize Macbeth’s state of mind? Use the following lines:
Lines 11-17
Lines 26-31
Lines 58-59
Act 5--Scene 7
1. What does Macbeth mean when he says, “I cannot fly, / But bearlike I must fight the course.”
Act 5--Scene 8
1. How are the three prophesies of the Apparitions fulfilled?
2. How does Shakespeare reverse images which he used to introduce Macbeth and to retire his character?
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