Macbeth Act I, Scene 4

  1. What concerns Duncan at the beginning of the scene?
  2. What did the Thane of Cawdor do before he died?
  3. How does Macbeth respond to Duncan’s gratitude?
  4. What important announcement does Duncan make about Malcolm?
  5. Why might that bother Macbeth?
  6. Why is Duncan going to Inverness?
  7. Why does Macbeth say he will go there at once?

Macbeth Act I, Scene 5

  1. What is Lady Macbeth doing at the opening of the scene?
  1. Lady Macbeth feels that Macbeth will be king. What does she fear, however, about his nature?
  1. What is the “illness” that Macbeth lacks, which is necessary for one with political ambitions? Explain.
  1. What solution does she suggest to his reluctance in this regard?
  1. What is “the golden round”?
  1. What news does the messenger bring?
  1. What is the symbolism of the “raven” that Lady Macbeth refers to?
  1. What does Lady Macbeth suggest that Macbeth should do about the murder of Duncan? What does this indicate about her character?

Macbeth Act I, Scene 6:

  1. Explain the meaning of Duncan’s first speech in the scene. How does this speech qualify as dramatic irony?
  1. How does Duncan interpret Lady Macbeth’s happiness in seeing his arrival at her home? What is the actual source of her joy?
  1. “but he rides….before us.” What does Duncan think is Macbeth’s motivation for being able to ride so fast, and arrive at his castle before Duncan? What is the real reason?
  1. What is Shakespeare’s purpose in presenting Duncan as a kind, generous, and grateful purpose?

Macbeth Act I, Scene 7:

  1. What is the “it” Macbeth refers to in the first line of the scene?
  1. Explain the imagery used in the line, “But here, upon this bank and shoal of time…” What type of imagery is used? What does Macbeth mean by this?
  1. Explain: “We’ld jump the life to come.” What does this indicate about Macbeth’s religious beliefs? What does it tell us about his character?
  1. Paraphrase the lines, “But in the cases…own lips.”
  1. List the reasons Macbeth states in this soliloquy for NOT killing Duncan. Hint: There are five mentioned.
  1. What decision has Macbeth come to about the murder of the king? What two reasons does he give for this decision?
  1. How does Lady Macbeth react to her husband’s decision?
  1. What does she suggest is his first reason for changing his mind? Does she really believe this? If not, why does she say it?
  1. What is the “ornament of life”?
  1. What plan does Lady Macbeth suggest for the murder? How does she plan to keep the chamberlains/grooms/guards from stopping the murder? Whom will Macbeth blame for the murder?