Name:British Literature

Date:Mr. Oswin

“Macbeth” Act I Study Guide

Answer the following questions in complete sentences.

You may attach more pages if you need more space.

  1. What is the meaning of the lines “Fair is Foul and Foul is Fair”?
  • Good is bad, and bad is good. There is confusion between what is good and what is bad, what is beautiful and what is ugly. Unnatural events are going on and will be going on.
  • Characterizes the witches as malicious (evil)
  1. What event is occurring during scene 2? How is Macbeth characterized by the account given by the Captain?
  • The hurly burly (civil battle between the Scottish kingdom and the Thane of Cawdor) is taking place. King Duncan learns that his general Macbeth has been victorious.
  • Macbeth is characterized as “brave,” “valiant cousin,” “worthy gentleman,” someone who fought bravely and without fear, who cut his enemy in half; Macbeth is strong, loyal, relentless, and savage.
  1. What title is Duncan planning to give Macbeth?
  • Duncan is naming Macbeth the new Thane of Cawdor.
  1. In scene iii we learn more about the witches. What kinds of characters are they? How do we know?
  • The witches are evil – malicious. They speak of punishing (cursing for 81 days) the husbandof a woman who refused to give them chestnuts.
  • They are unnatural; according to Macbeth and Banquo, they do not look like they belong on earth.
  1. What are the three prophecies the witches give for Macbeth and Banquo? (three for each character)
  • Macbeth will be:
  • Thane of Glamis – Macbeth knows already
  • Thane of Cawdor
  • King of Scotland
  • Banquo:
  • Lesser than Macbeth but greater
  • Not as happy as Macbeth, yet much happier
  • Will not be king, but his descendants will be kings
  1. How do Macbeth and Banquo each react to hearing their futures? (their reactions are different)
  • Banquo is disturbed by the prophecies, wondering how they will come about – worries about “instruments of darkness” telling them what will happen. He worries about the witches lying about what matters most.
  • Macbeth wants to believe the prophecies. He is thinking murderous thoughts, imagining what must happen for the prophecies to come true. He wants to talk more with Banquo later.
  1. What example of dramatic irony relating to Macbeth’s title is present in scene 3?
  • Macbeth has been named Thane of Cawdor by the end of scene 2, but Macbeth learns this from Ross in scene 3.
  1. How is the Code of Honor illustrated by Duncan, Macbeth, and Banquo in scene 4?
  • Duncan thanks Macbeth for his accomplishments in battle – says he cannot repay (recompense) him enough.
  • Macbeth (and Banquo) has followed the Code of Honor by fighting for his king (“service and loyalty I owe” “Your Highness’ part is to receive our duties; and our duties Are to your throne and state children and servants.” (Act I, iv, 23-25).
  • King Duncan is repaying Macbeth for his services with a new title.
  1. Read Macbeth’s aside at the end of scene 4. How does he feel about the announcement that Malcolm will become Duncan’s official heir? Why does this news affect him so much?
  • Macbeth says that Malcolm, as official heir, will stand in Macbeth’s way to becoming king. Macbeth already realizes he has “black and deep desires,” but he does not want to acknowledge or see them (“which the eye fears, when it is done, to see”).
  1. What is Lady Macbeth’s reaction to hearing the witches’ prophecies?
  • She wants Macbeth to be king, but he is too kind (“full o’ the milk of human kindness”) to get rid of the king. He is weak and soft.
  • She says it is better to get what you want by evil than to follow the Code of Honor.
  • She is ruthless. She will “pour my spirits in thine ear” to make him get rid of his weakness.
  1. What advice does Lady Macbeth give to her husband regarding his “face”? What does this have to do with Duncan’s arrival at Macbeth’s castle?
  • She tells Macbeth to look fair – to look the part of a loyal thane. Be the innocent flower, with the serpent beneath it (theme of duplicity). Be prepared to kill the king.
  1. Lady Macbeth tells Duncan: “All our service, in every point twice done and then done double”. What may these lines have to do with our expression “double-crosser”?
  • Double-crossing is cheating/trickery/betrayal. When Lady Macbeth speaks of doing everything doubly, she implies that she will not be helping, but harming, Duncan.
  1. Is Macbeth sure about his decision regarding what to do about Duncan? What evidence in scene 7 suggests this? What ultimately persuades him?
  • He starts his speech with “if,” which shows his uncertainty. Macbeth reminds himself that Duncan is virtuous and is Macbeth’s relative, guest, and king. Macbeth knows there is no reason to kill Duncan other than Macbeth’s ambition.
  • He is ultimately persuaded by Lady Macbeth, who insults his manhood and tells him she would kill her own child if she promised Macbeth she would.
  1. Macbeth and Lady Macbeth both reveal how they feel about masculinity. According to each, what does it mean to be “a man”?
  • Macbeth believes he is doing what a man should be doing – loyally fighting for and supporting his king.
  • Lady Macbeth believes that ambition makes the man. She says Macbeth behaved in a manly way when he told her of the prophecy. If Macbeth kills Duncan, he will “be so much more the man.”
  1. What is the importance of Macbeth’s lines at the end of Act I?: “Mock the time with fairest show. False face must hide what false heart doth know.”

Macbeth has decided to kill Duncan – he must hide his true intent with a false face, one that appears loyal.