McNair’s Honors English 12
Macbeth – Act I Study Guide
1. Why is Scotland at war at the opening of the play?
2. Scene two provides us with the views Duncan, the King, and the bloodied Captain have of Macbeth. What impression do you gain of Macbeth from this description?
3. What three predictions do the witches make in Scene 3?
4. Analyze Banquo's reaction to the witches’ prophesy regarding Macbeth.
5. Why does Banquo warn Macbeth about his reaction to the prophecies? What does this warning suggest about Banquo's understanding of Macbeth's character and ambitions?
6. Who is named heir to the Scottish throne?How does Macbeth react?
7. What is the “double trust” that makes Macbeth hesitate to kill Duncan?
8. Explain what you think is meant by the paradoxical “fair is foul, foul is fair”.
9. How do the murderers plan to implicate Duncan’s grooms?
10. What atmosphere and tone are created in the short opening scene?
11. In scene 5 we learn how Lady Macbeth feels about Macbeth becoming king. Explain her thoughts.
12. In what ways is Banquo “lesser than Macbeth, and greater”?
13. Act One scenes 5, 6, and 7 introduce Lady Macbeth and explore her relationship with Macbeth. These are very important scenes because our response to the relationship between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth is crucial to our interpretation of the play. What does the tone of Macbeth's letter suggest about his relationship with her?
14. What impression do you form of Lady Macbeth Act 1?
15. Carefully read her “unsex me" soliloquy.What is she attempting to do?What do the lines:Come thick night,
and pall the in the dunnest smoke of hell,That my keen knife see not the wound it makes, Nor heaven peep through the blanket of the dark, To cry 'Hold hold!'suggest about her psychological state?
16. Analyze Lady Macbeth's response to his declaration that he will proceed no further in the business.
- What tactics does she use to persuade him?
- What does the tone of her attack upon him suggest about her psychological state?
-What is it that finally persuades him?
17. How is the "fair is foul" theme further developed?
18. Paraphrase Macbeth’s soliloquy in Scene 7. How is Macbeth feeling? What is his state of mind?
19. Shakespeare ends Act One with Macbeth and Lady Macbeth plotting the murder of Duncan.
a. How exactly do they plan to kill him?
- What is the dramatic effect of concluding the act by letting us see the murder plot as it crystallize?
20. Some critics have pointed out that Macbeth clearly recognizes the immorality of his murderous plan and foresees its terrible consequences, yet still goes through with it. Why would Macbeth do this? Provide evidence for your answer.