Study Guide for the Scottish Play
Act I, scene ii
The CrownScottish RebelsForeigners
King DuncanMacdonwaldNorwegian Lord
Malcolm (Duncan’s son)Thane of CawdorKing of Norway
Macbeth (Thane of Glamis)Kerns & Gallowglasses
Banquo∙ (Irish mercenaries)
Thane of Ross
Thane of Fife
Sergeant
Lines 1 – 7 [1-8]
What service has the Captain (sergeant) done for Malcolm?
Lines 7 – 23 [9-25]
Who was winning the battle at the outset?
Why were the kerns and gallowglasses supporting Macdonwald?
Who was responsible for the defeat of Macdonwald?
In what manner was Macdonwald defeated?
Lines 25 – 42 [27-45]
What happened to the kerns and gallowglasses after the defeat of Macdonwald?
Who led the second assault?
Was Macbeth worried by this attack?
Lines 48 - 67 [55-76]
Who assisted the King of Norway?
Who overcame the rebels/invaders?
What price did Norway pay (for ransom)?
What price will the Thane of Cawdor pay?
Who will benefit from Cawdor's loss?
Overall
How would you describe Macbeth at this point?
Act I, scene iii
Line 38 [38]
What are Macbeth's first words?
Where have we heard these before?
What does that suggest to you?
Lines 51 – 52 [52-53]
What is Macbeth's first, initial, gut reaction to the greeting/prophecies of the Weird Sisters?
Line 86 [87]
What is Macbeth's first comment to Banquo about the prophecies of the Sisters?
What's wrong with that?
Lines 96 – 97 [97-99]
Of what was Macbeth unafraid on the field of battle?
Lines 104 – 107 [108-109]
What news does the Thane of Ross bring to Macbeth?
Why does this news surprise Macbeth?
Why does this news tell us about Duncan?
Lines 120 – 126 [127-133]
What warning does Banquo give to Macbeth?
Lines 143 – 144 [152-153]
What has Macbeth decided to do (at this point) about the possibility of becoming king?
Act I, scene iv
Lines 2 – 11 [3-12]
Describe the death of the former Thane of Cawdor.
Lines 11 – 14 [13-16]
“There’s no art/ To find the mind’s construction in the face.” Paraphrase.
What’s ironic about Macbeth’s entrance in this scene (it helps if you know what’s going to happen in Act II)?
Line 33 – 43 [41 – 45]
A bit of bad news for Macbeth. What is it?
Lines 48 – 53 [55-60]
How has Macbeth’s attitude toward his possible kingship changed since the end of the previous scene?
How have the witches contributed to this new attitude?
Act I, scene v
Lines 13 – 14 [10-11]
What has Macbeth been "promised"?
Lines 14 – 28 [10-25]
What's wrong with Macbeth's "nature"?
Macbeth has ambition, but lacks (according to his wife) what quality that should go along with it?
What does Lady Macbeth plan to do when her husband gets home?
Lines 36 – 52 [39-53]
With what does Lady Macbeth want to be filled?
How does this relate to her request to "unsex me here"?
To whom is she directing that request?
Line 58 [62]
What is Macbeth thinking when he says King Duncan will be leaving "tomorrow, as he purposes"?
Lines 60 – 64 [65-70]
What's wrong with Macbeth's face?
Act I, scene vii
Lines 1 – 28 [1-28]
Reasons Not to Kill the King
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Lines 31 – 35 [33-37]
What has Macbeth decided to do concerning Duncan?
Why?
Lines 35 – 59 [38-64]
What arguments does Lady Macbeth use to try to change his mind?
1.
2.
What would she have done in like circumstances?
Lines 60 – 82 [65-88]
What is Lady Macbeth’s plan?