Macbeth Act 1 Reading Questions

Directions: Answer the following short answer questions based on your reading of Act 1.

Act 1, scene 1:

1.  Where does the play open?

2.  What is the purpose of this short scene with the witches

3.  Would the witches appeal more to an Elizabethan than to a modern audience? Why?

Act 1, scene 2:

1.  What do we learn about Macbeth in this scene from battle?

2.  What is the condition of Scotland under Duncan the king?

3.  What other characters do we meet?

4.  What title is Macbeth given?

Act 1, scene 3:

1.  What do Macbeth’s remarks “So foul and fair a day I have not seen” suggest?

2.  What are the witches prophecies of Macbeth? What are they of Banquo?

3.  Two courses of action were open to Macbeth if he wished to become king; he could deliberately try to gain the throne, or let whatever is to happen, happen. Which course did Macbeth decide to follow before the end of this scene?

Act 1, scene 4:

1.  Why was Cawdor executed?

2.  What is Macbeth’s reaction when Duncan appoints Malcolm the Prince of Cumberland?

3.  When Duncan remarks that no one can jude a man’s character by his appearance, why is this dramatic irony?

4.  As Duncan praises his services, what thoughts does Macbeth harbor?

Act 1, scene 5:

1.  What does Lady Macbeth read aloud? Note this is a soliloquy, which is a speech read alone.

2.  What is revealed about her character and her relationship with her husband?

3.  When she finds out that Duncan will spend the night as their guest, what does she ask of the supernatural?

4.  What does she propose to do? What does “O never shall sun that morrow see” indicate?

Act 1, scene 6:

1.  What is ironic about Duncan’s remarks that the castle is so lovely?

2.  Why doesn’t Macbeth come forth to greet Duncan?

Act 1, scene 7:

1.  At the banquet, Macbeth leaves the room to soliloquize. What does he speak about?

2.  When Lady Macbeth finds him, what news does he reveal to her about Duncan?

3.  How does Lady Macbeth react to this news? What do we see again about her character?

4.  What will be her plan? How does she get him to go along with the plan?