Macbeth
Study Guide
Student Copy
Act I, Scene I
Vocabulary
hurlyburly – turmoil
ere– before
heath– a tract of open land with sparse vegetation
anon– soon
- When are the witches planning to meet again and for what purpose?
- Describe the setting of this scene. How might it be significant considering this is the first scene of the play? What sort of mood does it create?
- The witches say together, “Fair is foul, and foul is fair.” This is one of the most famous lines in Macbeth. What do you think it means?
Act I, Scene II
Vocabulary
broil– battle
spent– exhausted
villainies– mercenaries
kerns– footsoldiers
gallowglasses– armed horsemen
minion– a servant
unseam’d– cut open
nave– the navel
chaps– a person’s jaws
skipping– fleeing
furbish’d– shining
sooth– truth
flout– mock
point– swordpoint
lavish– wild
composition– a truce
deign– offer
- What does the Sergeant specifically report about Macbeth? What does this news reveal to you about Macbeth’s character?
- What is Macbeth’s relationship to King Duncan?
- Who had Macbeth and Banquo been fighting?
- The Sergeant uses many similes to describe the battle. Identify two.
- What does Ross mean when he calls Macbeth “Bellona’s bridegroom?”
- What does King Duncan instruct Ross to do and why?
Act I, Scene III
Vocabulary
aroint– be gone
rump-fed– fed on rump meat
ronyon– a fat woman
sieve– a basket
quarters– directions
shipman’s card – compass card
penthouse lid – an eyelid
forbid– cursed
peak– waste away
bark– a ship
weird– fate-manipulating
posters– travelers
aught– anything
choppy– wrinkled
fantastical– imaginary
grace– title
having– possessions
happy– fortunate
get– to beget
imperfect– unclear
intelligence– information
blasted– blighted; cursed
corporal– physical
reads– considers
images– methods
post– a messenger
earnest– pledge
addition– title
combined– allied
prologues– predictions
soliciting– temptation
use– custom
function– every task
surmise– speculation
stir– effort
strange– new
cleave– fi t
mould– body
favor– pardon
register’d– written to memory
- What does the First Witch plan to do to a sailor and why? What does this tell you about the three witches?
- When Macbeth says, “So foul and fair a day I have not seen,” what does he mean? What other line of the play does he echo? What could be the dramatic irony of the line? As Macbeth’s first words of the play, how might this line be significant?
- Describe the physical appearance of the Witches.
- What prophecies do the Witches make regarding Macbeth? How does he react based on what Banquo says?
- What metaphor does Banquo use to ask the Witches about his future? What do the Witches predict for Banquo? How does this prediction relate to the King of England at the time Shakespeare was writing?
- Shakespeare has the Witches speak in language that is frequently contradictory. Point out an example of where that occurs in this scene.
- How likely does Macbeth think it is that he will become Thane of Cawdor or King of Scotland? How is this an example of dramatic irony?
- How do Banquo and Macbeth question their experience with the Witches?
- What news does Ross bring to Banquo and Macbeth as they are discussing theprophecies?
- What does Banquo mean when he says, “What, can the devil speak true?”
- Why does Banquo warn Macbeth about “the instruments of darkness?” What type of literary device is this? How does this comment tie into the “fair is foul, foul is fair” theme?
- As the others talk, what does Macbeth’s aside reveal about his thinking? What does he fear? How is this moment a significant turning point for Macbeth?
- What is the difference between how Banquo reacts to the fulfillment of the firstprophecy and how Macbeth reacts? Why might their reactions be significant?
- What common human feeling is Macbeth expressing when he says, “My thought…/Shakes so my single state of man that function/Is smother’d in surmise, and nothing is/But what is not”? How does the quote relate to the “fair is foul” theme?
Act I, Scene IV
Vocabulary
liege– a ruler; king
studied– rehearsed
owed– owned
careless– worthless
before– ahead
wanton– unrestrained; lewd
harbinger– a messenger
- How does Malcolm describe Cawdor’s execution? How does Duncan respond?
- How does Duncan regard what Macbeth has done for him? What does Macbeth think about the services he has provided?
- What metaphor does the King use to describe how he will nurture Macbeth?
- How does Banquo further this metaphor? What earlier comment do his words echo?
- What is the significance of Duncan naming Malcolm the Prince of Cumberland?
- How does Macbeth react to the announcement in his last speech in this scene? What does he reveal?
Act I, Scene V
Vocabulary
missives– messengers
metaphysical– supernatural
fell– cruel
gall– bile
sightless– invisible
pall- cover
dunnest– darkest
beguile– deceive
dispatch– management
sovereign– absolute
favor– facial expression
- After Lady Macbeth finishes reading the letter, she says Macbeth, “shalt be” what he has been promised, meaning King of Scotland. Why is this comment significant?
- After Lady Macbeth finishes reading the letter, what concern does she express about Macbeth?
- Why does Lady Macbeth want her husband to hurry home?
- How does the news about King Duncan’s impending arrival affect Lady Macbeth? What is she planning?
- Why does Lady Macbeth pray to be “unsexed”? How else does she asked to be altered and why? What does this say about Shakespeare’s view of the nature of masculinity and femininity?
- When Macbeth enters, how does Lady Macbeth again echo the words of the Witches?
- What instructions does Lady Macbeth give to her husband? What metaphor does she use to describe her advice? What role has Lady Macbeth adopted in their relationship?
Act I, Scene VI
Vocabulary
Hautboys– loud, double-reed woodwind instruments shaped like clarinets
seat– location
martlet– a martin, a bird known to nest in churches
approve– prove
jutty– projection
frieze– a decorative engraved band along the upper portion of a room or building
buttress– stone or brick support
coign of vantage – a protruding corner used as a lookout point
pendant– hanging
procreant cradle – place of breeding
ild– yield (reward)
single– minor
purveyor– a King’s traveling attendant
holp– helped
incompt– in trust
audit– accounts
still– ever ready
1. How do Duncan and Banquo regard Macbeth’s home? How are their comments an
example of dramatic irony?
2. How does Lady Macbeth’s behavior in this scene contrast with what we know of her
from the last scene? What does this indicate about her character?
Act I, Scene VII
Vocabulary
sewer– a butler
divers– several
trammel– to catch or confi ne as with a net
surcease– death
shoal– a sandbar surrounded by water
jump– a risk
chalice– a bowl-shaped drinking cup; a goblet
faculties– royal powers
virtues– a moral excellence; an admirable quality
blast– storm
cherubin– a winged angel, or, in Christianity, the second highest rank of angels
bought– won
prithee– please; “if you please”
enterprise– a promise
durst– dared
adhere– suitable
make– have taken
fitness– convenience
unmake– unnerve
screw– pull tight
chamberlain– a servant in charge of a particular part of an estate
wassail– a festivity involving the consumption of alcohol
convince– overpower
warder– a watchman or sentry
limbec– part of a still
drenched – drowsy
spongy– drunken
mettle– courageous spirit, fortitude
settled– determined
bend up – summon
corporal agent – bodily strength
mock– deceive
1. What arguments does Macbeth raise for not committing the murder? What does
Macbeth mean when he says that Duncan is “here in double trust”?
2. Macbeth indicates that Duncan has been a great ruler. According to Macbeth, what
qualities make Duncan a good King?
- What resolution does Macbeth communicate to Lady Macbeth?
- What does Lady Macbeth say in an attempt to goad her husband into committing the murder? How do her comments tie into her earlier characterizations of masculinity and femininity?
- Macbeth’s response to his wife, about what a man may dare, is frequently quoted. Whatdoes he mean?
- What is the point of the baby imagery that Lady Macbeth uses? Note the many timesimages of babies and mothers are presented in the play.
- Lady Macbeth reveals the details of the murder plot. What are they, and how does sheconvince Macbeth that the plan will work?
- Why does Macbeth believe his wife should “bring forth men-children only”? Has herplan convinced him to continue in the scheme?
Act II, Scene I
Vocabulary
husbandry– frugality
summons– sleepiness
largess– gifts
offices– servants
cleave– support
consent– cause
franchised– free of guilt
clear– pure
counsell’d– supported
sensible– perceptible to the touch
heat-oppressed– fevered
marshall’st– to guide
dudgeon– a handle
gouts– drops
abuse– to deceive
watch– alarm
design– prey
prate– to chatter
1. This is the first appearance of Banquo’s son, Fleance. Why might the sight of him besignificant to Macbeth at this moment?
2. Why do you suppose Banquo is having trouble sleeping?
3. Why do you think Macbeth lies to Banquo and tells him that he, Macbeth, has notthought of the weird sisters?
4. In his soliloquy after Banquo leaves, what does Macbeth tell the audience he sees? Inwhat ways does Macbeth explain the sight?
5. How would you describe Macbeth’s mental/emotional state at this point?
6. What does the ringing of the bell indicate to Macbeth? How does Macbeth say theringing relates to Duncan? What kind of poetic form ends the scene?
Act II, Scene II
Vocabulary
surfeited– overindulged
grooms– guards
charge– duty
possets– drinks of milk and liquor
confounds– ruins
unbend– to loosen
witness– evidence
infirm– weakness
purpose– a will
gild– to cover with gold leaf
multitudinous– vast
incarnadine– to make red
constancy– strength of will
watchers– awake
- What has Lady Macbeth done to the guards?
- Why does Lady Macbeth not commit the murder when she is in the room?
- Macbeth enters and describes what he saw and heard. She tells him, “These deeds mustnot be thought/After these ways.” Why?
- How does the form of the dialogue create a sense of urgency early in this scene?
5. Macbeth goes on to describe how he thought he heard a voice cry, “Sleep no more!
Macbeth doth Murder sleep…” What is the meaning of Macbeth’s remarks about sleep?
6. In this scene, how does Lady Macbeth criticize her husband and show herself to bestronger? In what ways is she just as weak?
7. What does Macbeth say about cleaning the blood off of his hands? How does LadyMacbeth’s comments about their bloody hands contrast with his? What do their bloodyhands symbolize?
8. At the close of the scene, there is an incessant knocking at the door. What might thisknocking symbolize?
Act II, Scene III
Vocabulary
Porter – a gatekeeper
old – plenty of
Belzebub– Beelzebub (the name of the devil)
equivocator– one who speaks vaguely intentionally
primrose– fl owery; pleasurable
marry– indeed
nose-painting– reddening of the nose
cast– vomit
timely– early
physics– cures
limited– specified
appoint– a plan
combustion– chaos
confusion– destruction
parley– a conference
chance– an event
lees– dregs; sediment
vault– wine cellar
badged– marked
expedition– haste
pauser– hesitant
wasteful– destructive
breech’d– covered as though clothed in
scruples– doubts
office– an action
shaft– an arrow
lighted – landed
shift– to sneak
warrant– justification, rationale
steals– fl ees
1. The Porter’s scene, or the “knocking at the gate scene,” is frequently debated byscholars, but most agree it is a typical scene of comic relief often found in Shakespeare’splays. Why do you think a scene of comic relief has been placed in this particular partof the play? What is its purpose? Why are the Porter’s lines in prose rather than poetry? What lines contain the bawdy humor often found in these scenes?
2. What role does the Porter imagine he is playing? How does he continue his joke? Howis his characterization of his role in the castle ironic?
3. What strange events of the previous night does Lennox describe? What theme do theseevents reinforce?
4.What allusion does Macduff make to Greek mythology? What is his meaning?
5.How does Macduff question Macbeth’s actions? What does Lady Macbeth do to intercede?
6. Who are Malcolm and Donalbain? What do they suspect, and what decision do theymake?
7. In Greek theater, tragedies focus on the tragic hero. This tragic hero is a great manwho has one tragic fl aw, which brings about his downfall. As the hero accepts theconsequences of his errors, he teaches the audience some truth of life. If Macbeth is atragic hero, what is his tragic flaw?
Act II, Scene IV
Vocabulary
mousing– mouse-eating
hawk’d at – attacked
minions– the fi nest examples
suborn’d– bribed
thriftless– profitless
ravin up – devour
invested– crowned king
benison– blessing
1. What further unnatural acts are occurring? What do you think these happenings aremeant to signify?
2. Who is suspected of setting up the murder of Duncan? Why?
3. What does Ross have to say about the ambition that must have led to the murder?
4. Who has been named King? Where will the coronation take place?
5. Instead of attending the coronation, Macduff plans to travel home. How might thischoice be significant?
Act III, Scene I
Vocabulary
sennet– a trumpet call
grave– substantial
twain– two
bestow’d– staying
invention– a lie
sweeter– more
Sirrah– a title used to address servants
without– outside
genius– spirit
fruitless– sterile
unlineal– producing no successors
fi led – defi led
rancors– bitterness
jewel– the soul
list– a combat area
champion– to battle
utterance– last word
under– out of favor with
cross’d– shut out
instruments– agents
gospell’d– devoted to the Bible
catalogue– a list
clept– called
addition– a distinction
station– a rank
buffets– strikes
set– to risk
avouch– to justify
sundry– miscellaneous
thought– remember
rubs– fl aws
material– important
apart– in private
1. In his soliloquy, what suspicion and hope does Banquo reveal?
2. Look at the dialogue between Macbeth and Banquo; how has their relationship changednow that Macbeth is King? How has Macbeth’s demeanor changed since his last scene?
3. Macbeth seems very interested in Banquo’s travel plans. Why do suppose that is?
4. What does Macbeth mean when he says, “To be thus is nothing,/But to be safely thus”?
- Why is Banquo the only person Macbeth fears? What disturbs Macbeth about Banquo’scharacter?
- What is it about the Witches’ prophecies that frustrate Macbeth? Why does he feel hisefforts to attain the throne may have been in vain? Does he regard Fate as inevitable?
- How does Macbeth motivate the murderers to kill Banquo? What is Macbeth’sjustification for not performing the deed himself?
- What is the specifi c plan for Banquo’s murder? Who else is to be killed in the plot?
- How does Macbeth’s use of hired murderers affect the development of his character inthe play?
Act III, Scene II
Vocabulary
using– humoring
scotch’d– wounded
close– to heal
levy– an army
eminence– honors
lave– make clear
honors– reputations
vizards– masks
cloister’d– restricted
chuck– a term of endearment
seeling– blinding
- What feelings about their security do both Lady Macbeth and Macbeth express early inthis scene? What does Macbeth say about Duncan to illustrate his point?
2. What does Macbeth mean when he tells Lady Macbeth they must “make our facesvizards to our hearts,/Disguising what they are”? What earlier advice of Lady Macbeth’s does he echo? What theme of the play does this line tie into?
3. What strong metaphor does Macbeth use to describe his mental state? What is heworried about? Is Lady Macbeth aware of his plans to resolve his worries?
4. How have Macbeth and Lady Macbeth’s roles changed from earlier in the play?
Act III, Scene III
Vocabulary
offices – instructions
lated– belated
- What happens during the ambush? What causes the murderers to leave the job only halfdone?
- What are Banquo’s dying words? How might they relate back to the prophecies?
Act III, Scene IV
Vocabulary
degrees– ranks
state– the throne
encounter– greet
nonpareil– without an equal
founded– immovable
general– free
casing– surrounding
cribb’d– closed in
saucy– rude
worm– a young serpent
cheer– proper entertainment
remembrancer– reminder
honor– nobility
mischance– mishap; accident
note– to pay attention to
extend– aggravate
passion– a condition
air-drawn– fl oating
flaws– outbursts
charnel houses – tombs or vaults for the dead
monuments– crypts
maws– stomachs
kites– birds of prey
gentle weal – commonwealth
crowns– heads
lack– miss
muse at – to worry about
pledge– a toast
speculation– a sight
arm’d– armored
protest– to declare
admired– amazing
stand– to depend
auguries– omens; forbidding signals
choughs–gray birds similar to crows
fee’d– paid to spy
betimes– soon
bent– determined
o’er – continuing
scann’d– fully contemplated
self-abuse– delusion
initiate– beginner’s
- How does Macbeth respond to the news of Fleance’s escape? What details does the firstmurderer reveal about Banquo’s death?
- Upon returning to the banquet table, what does Macbeth see and how does he respond? How do the guests respond?
- How does Lady Macbeth explain her husband’s behavior to their guests? How does shecriticize her husband, and what earlier experience of Macbeth’s does she recall?
- What is Macbeth’s behavior like for the rest of the dinner? Why does Lady Macbeth finally send the guests away?
- Why do you suppose Banquo’s ghost haunts Macbeth and not Duncan’s?
- Why does Macbeth bring up Macduff? What are the implications of Macduff’s actions?
- What does Macbeth plan to do next? What grotesque image does he use to describe hiscurrent situation?
- How does Lady Macbeth describe sleep? What earlier lines does her remark recall?
- In what ways is Banquo a foil to Macbeth?
Act III, Scene V