Macbeth - Folger Paperback
Key Scenes & Lines
Act I
1.1.12What theme is introduced with this paradoxical line?
1.2.18-25What is the first adjective used to describe Macbeth? Note that Macbeth is a fearsome warrior.
1.2.26What two adjectives does the king use to describe Macbeth?
1.2.73-76Explain the irony of Duncan’s pronouncement.
1.3.39To what do we connect Macbeth’s first words?
1.3.51-53With what three titles do the weird sisters greet Macbeth?
1.3.68-71What prophecy do they give Banquo?
1.3.109-115What title does Ross deliver to Macbeth? Quote Banquo’s reaction. Note the motif of clothing. 1.3.134-138 What is the significance of Banquo’s truism in these lines?
1.3.140-155 [Aside]Paraphrase the aside. How does the aside characterize Macbeth?
1.4.8-12How can we compare the description of Cawdor to Macbeth?
1.4.13-16Explain the irony of these lines.
1.4.55-60 [Aside]Who is the Prince of Cumberland? How does the aside characterize Macbeth?
1.5.16-18How does Lady Macbeth view her husband in these lines?
1.5.75-78How do these lines function thematically?
1.6.1-3How are these lines related to the previous ones?
1.7.1-28 [Soliloquy]Paraphrase the soliloquy. How can lines 25-28 possibly do the play a disservice?
1.7.62-67Characterize Lady Macbeth in these lines.
Act II
2.1.44-77 [Soliloquy]Paraphrase the soliloquy.
2.2.16-17What do these lines reveal about Lady Macbeth?
2.2.86Explain the irony of Lady Macbeth’s use of understatement.
2.3.107-112Characterize Macbeth in these lines.
2.3.119-123Whom does Lennox blame for the murder? Why?
2.3.126Why is Macduff’s question so important?
2.3.114-116What is Macbeth’s response?
2.3.127-137What do Malcolm and Donalbain intend to do? Why?
2.4.8-24The Old Man and Ross discuss “unnatural” happenings. Relate to another Shakespeare play.
2.4.49-50How does Macduff’s reply relate to his question in 2.3.126?
Act III
3.1.1-3What is Banquo’s assessment of Macbeth?
3.1.52-77 [Soliloquy]Paraphrase the soliloquy.
3.2.6-9Characterize Lady Macbeth’s attitude in these lines?
3.2.15-17What does Macbeth mean in these lines?
3.4.32-34 [Aside]Explain Macbeth’s aside. Who is the serpent? Who is the worm?
3.4.54-62Why may we consider these lines and the preceding ones the turning point of the play?
3.4.168-172Who will pay the price promised in these lines?
3.6Summarize the rumors Lennox and the Lord discuss.?
Act IV
4.1.44-45Look up this expression. What does it mean?
4.1.81-82Explain the first prophecy.
4.1.90-92Explain the second prophecy.
4.1.103-107Explain the third prophecy.
4.1.164-175 [Aside]Paraphrase the aside.
4.2How do we view Macbeth after this scene?
4.3.70-79, 91-99, 107-116How does Malcolm characterize himself in these lines?
4.3.117How does Macduff respond?
4.3.120-132How does Macduff assess Malcolm’s revelations of how he will govern Scotland?
4.3.136-139Why has Malcolm acted the way he has?
4.3.268-269How are Malcolm and Macduff now similar as stock chracters?
Act V
5.1.21-32What do the Doctor and the Gentlewoman report?
5.3.1-3What prophecy does Macbeth believe in here?
5.3.26-33 [Soliloquy]Characterize Macbeth in these lines.
5.4.6-9How is the weird sisters’ equivocation revealed here?
5.5.22-31 [Soliloquy – memorize passage]
5.7.1-4What prophecy does Macbeth believe to be true in these lines?
5.8.1-3Relate Macbeth’s comment about playing the “Roman fool” to Horatio in the final scene of Hamlet
5.8.14-16Explain the equivocal nature of the weird sisters’ prophecy.