M A C B E T H
ACT I
SCENE I
1. Why is it appropriate that this scene opens with thunder and lightning?
2. “When the battle’s lost and won.”
a) To which battle is the witch referring?
b) What is significant about this line in terms of the rest of the play?
3. Why do the witches select Macbeth as their agent for evil?
4. Discuss the significance of “fog and filthy air”.
SCENE II
1. Describe Macbeth’s character as presented by the captain and later by Ross. Quote an example from the text to support your answer.
2. Explain the dramatic irony in the following statements:
a) “O valiant cousin! Worthy gentleman!”
b) “Assisted by that most disloyal traitor The Thane of Cawdor.”
c) No more that Thane of Cawdor shall deceive our bosom interest.”
3. Comment on the significance of the last line of the scene.
SCENE III
1. How will Macbeth’s fate be similar to that of the master o’ the Tiger”?
2. State the witches’ prophecies to Macbeth and Banquo and explain their meanings.
3. Identify which of Banquo’s prophecies Macbeth is most concerned about. Why?
4. Quote 2 lines which relate to the theme of Macbeth’s new honours being a garment. In each case explain how and why the figure of speech used.
5. What evidence is there that Macbeth had previous thoughts about furthering his ambition?
6. a) Describe Macbeth’s conflict at this stage.
b) What conclusion does he reach at the end of the scene?
7. Why is it significant that the first words Macbeth speaks are: “So Fair and foul a day I have not seen.”?
8. Match a quote of your choice to the picture.
SCENE IV
1. Duncan: There’s no art
To find the mind’s construction in the face;
An absolute trust.
In what way are these words ironic?
2. Quote two examples of imagery of plants and fertility from this scene.
3. Macbeth: The Prince of Cumberland! That is a step
On which I must fall down, or else o’erleap,
For in my way it lies.
a) To what is Macbeth referring?
b) Explain, in your own words, what he means.
c) Explain the dramatic irony in Duncan’s words:
“It is a peerless kinsman.”
SCENE V
1. What does Lady Macbeth reveal about her husband’s character in the opening lines?
2. What is the significance of Lady Macbeth’s soliloquy?
3. Quote a phrase from this scene which echoes the witches.
4. Write and answer a question that examines a theme presented in this scene.
5. Comment on the ambiguity in the statement:
“He that’s coming
Must be provided for.”
SCENE VI
1. What is significant about Duncan’s attitude to Inverness at the beginning of this scene?
2. Show how Lady Macbeth follows her own advice (in this scene) to:
“Beguile the time look like the time.
Bear welcome in the eye.” (Act 1 Scene IV)
SCENE VII
1. What does Macbeth fear as shown in his soliloquy (lines 1-11)?
2. a) What do we learn of Duncan’s character from this scene?
b) Why do these characteristics make Macbeth’s task more difficult?
3. Quote a line from p33 that shows Macbeth is doubtful as to the wisdom of his proposed action.
Use the shape in the box below to draw the scene from
Act 1 that you consider most memorable. You may not move the
Shape or alter its size.
M A C B E T H
ACT II
SCENE I
1. Lady Macbeth in Act I Scene IV said, “Come thick night…” Show how this request has been fulfilled at the beginning of this scene.
2. Comment on the irony in:
a) Macbeth: A friend. (Line 11)
b) Banquo: What Sir, not yet at rest?
3. What is significant about Duncan’s final act before retiring to bed?
4. Briefly describe what Macbeth imagines he sees in his soliloquy in this scene.
5. Show how his character undergoes a change in this soliloquy.
6. What does Macbeth mean by, “The bell invites me.”?
SCENE II
1. In this speech Lady Macbeth shows some humanity and femininity. Quote to support your answer.
2. Why does Shakespeare use economy of language in lines 15-18?
3. Explain the significance of the lines:
“But wherefore could I not pronounce ‘Amen’?
I had most need of blessing and ‘Amen’ stuck in my throat.”
4. Macbeth: I’ll go no more. To what is he referring?
5. Macbeth uses hyperbole to emphasise his guilt.
a) Quote the lines.
b) Illustrate with a quotation from Lady Macbeth how the depth of their feelings differed.
6. Why does Macbeth say, “Wake Duncan with thy knocking! I would thou couldst!”
SCENE III
1. What is the dramatic purpose of the porter scene?
2. Explain how each of the equivocators mentioned by the porter resembles Macbeth.
3. Describe how Shakespeare - through Lennox’s words - expresses the chaos in nature that occurs because of a king’s death.
4. What is Macduff’s reaction to the murder?
5. Why did Macbeth kill the guards? Provide his own reason and his reason to others.
6. Describe how Donalbain and Malcolm react and how, in fact, they play into Macbeth’s hands.
SCENE IV
1. Describe and comment on the significance of the incidents and signs that the old man and Ross find disturbing.
2. Why does Macduff not go to Scone?
3. Quote an example of clothing imagery from this scene.
For each of these symbols, link them to a character, explain why you think they are appropriate to be linked to this character and also provide a suitable quote.
M A C B E T H
ACT III
SCENE I
1. What does Banquo say that reveals he has grave suspicions about Macbeth’s part in the murder of Duncan?
2. What price did Macbeth have to pay to become King?
3. Why does Macbeth need to be clear of all suspicion that he is involved in their situation?
4. Why does Macbeth want Fleance to die?
5. Quote 3 sinister questions that Macbeth casually Banquo. What are the reasons behind these questions?
6. Explain the dramatic irony in:
a) “Is’t far you ride?”
b) Macbeth: Fail not the feast.
Banquo: My lord, I will not.
7. Explain what Macbeth means when he says, “For Banquo’s issue have filled my mind.”
8. Why does Macbeth want Banquo murdered?
9. What reasons, according to Macbeth, do the murders have for killing Banquo?
SCENE II
1. Is Lady Macbeth happy in her new position as queen? Substantiate your answer by quoting from the text.
2. Why can Duncan be considered lucky to be dead, according to Macbeth?
3. What are the “scorpions” in Macbeth’s minds?
SCENE III
1. Why are the two murderers joined by a third person?
2. Describe how Fleance was able to escape. Why is this escape significant?
SCENE IV
1. What does the murderer tell Macbeth that causes his fit of terror to return?
2. Why does Macbeth say the table is full?
3. Do the others think that all the chairs are occupied? Substantiate your answer by quoting from the text.
4. How does Lady Macbeth explain her husband’s behaviour to her guests?
5. What are her real thoughts about the matter as expressed to Macbeth?
6. What does Macbeth find particularly strange about the murder of Banquo?
7. At what stage does Lady Macbeth ask her guests to leave?
8. How does Macbeth explain the appearance of Banquo’s ghost?
9. Why do you think Macduff failed to attend the banquet?
10. How do we know that Macbeth is insecure and suspicious?
11. What steps does he intend to take to find what his future holds?
12. Explain in your own words:
a) “Why, so; being gone,
I am a man again.” (lines 109-110)
b) “My strange and self-abuse
Is the initiate fear that wants hard use.
We are yet but young in deed.” (lines 145-148)
SCENE V
1. Why, according to Lennox, did Macbeth kill the drunken grooms?
2. Who has Macbeth blamed for Banquo’s murder? What evidence does Macbeth produce?
3. What kind of help does Macduff hope to get for his country?
4. Why does the messenger say, “You’ll rue the time that clogs me with this answer.”?
M A C B E T H
ACT IV
SCENE I
1. Why does the second witch describe Macbeth as “something wicked” rather than call him by name?
2. Who are the witches’ masters?
3. Explain fully what Macbeth means by “Thou hast harped my fear aright.” (line 17)
4. Who is the “bloody child”?
5. What are the two very important prophecies given to Macbeth that will determine his fate?
6. How do we know that the meeting with the witches is part of Macbeth’s imagination?
SCENE II
1. How do we know that Ross is suspicious of Macbeth at this stage of the play?
2. What does the murder of Lady Macduff and her children reveal about Macbeth at this stage of the play?
SCENE III
1. What do we learn about Malcolm’s character in this scene?
2. Macduff: “Not in legions
Of horn’d hell can come a devil more damned
In evils to top Macbeth.”
Is this an accurate description? Discuss.
M A C B E T H
ACT V
SCENE I
1. With what is Lady Macbeth pre-occupied at this stage?
2. Why does she have a “light by her continually”?
3. To what does “One, Two,” (line 26) refer?
4. “Foul whisp’rings are abroad. Unnatural deeds do breed unnatural troubles.”
a) What were the unnatural deeds referred to?
b) What are their “unnatural troubles”?
SCENE II
1. Who are the leaders of the English force?
2. What is their purpose?
3. Where is Macbeth at this stage?
SCENE III
1. To what is Macbeth referring in lines 1-4?
2. Comment on the irony in line 11?
3. What is Macbeth’s state of mind in lines 19-28?
4. What is revealed about his character in lie 32?
5. What does the doctor say is Lady Macbeth suffering from?
6. How can you tell that Macbeth is disturbed and in a disorientated state of mind in
lines 47-56?
SCENE IV
1. What does Macbeth reveal about himself in lines 9-14?
2. What is revealed about Macbeth’s support on p139?
SCENE V
1. What does Macbeth reveal about himself in lines 9-14?
2. Paraphrase lines 19-23.
3. What disturbing mews does the messenger bring?
SCENE VII
1. Macbeth still clings to one hope. What is it?
2. What does Macduff mean in lines 14-16?
SCENE VIII
1. How does Macduff refute the witches’ prophecy?
2. Quote from p147 to illustrate how the witches have equivocated with Macbeth.
SCENE IX
1. What is revealed about the way Lady Macbeth died?
2. Quote from Malcolm’s final speech to show how he aligns himself with good?
M A C B E T H
Notes on Shakespearian Tragedy
1. A tragedy is pre-eminently the story of one person, the “hero” and leads up to and includes the hero’s death.
2. The story also depicts the troubled parts of the hero’s life. It is a tale of calamity and suffering conducting to death.
3. The suffering and calamity are exceptional and befall a conspicuous person. They often contrast with previous glory and happiness.
4. Shakespearian tragedy is concerned always with persons of “high degree”, often Kings and Princes or leader of state.
5. The fate of the person affects the welfare of the whole nation.
6. The calamities of tragedy do not simply happen. They proceed mainly from the action of men. These deeds are characteristic of the doer.
7. Shakespeare occasionally presents abnormal conditions of mind – insanity, somnambulism, hallucinations etc…
8. He sometimes introduces the supernatural into his tragedies eg. witches and ghosts.
9. In most of his tragedies he allows chance or accident an appreciable influence at some point in the action.
10. In tragedy there is an outward conflict of persons or groups, and also a conflict of forces in the hero’s soul. He is torn by an inward struggle.
11. The nature of the hero is also exceptional and generally raises him in some respect above the average level of humanity. In the circumstances where we see the hero placed, his tragic trait is fatal to him.
12. In Shakespearian tragedy the main source of suffering and death is never good – it is evil in the fullest sense – a plain moral evil.
13. The hero also shows some marked imperfection of defect eg. pride, ambition, rashness etc…and this contributes to the conflict and catastrophe.