Macbeth - Folger Paperback

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.