Macbeth Act 1 & 2

What is the point of the first scene literally an in reference to the whole play? 3 witches are deciding when they are going to meet with Macbeth again & we are introduced to supernatural influence in the play “Fair is foul and foul is fair”
What does Duncan call Macbeth when he hears Macbeth has defeated Macdonwald? “Valiant cousin worthy gentleman”
Who is sentenced to death? Thane of Cawdor
What do the witches predict in 1. iii for Macbeth? For Banquo? That Macbeth will be king and Thane of Cawdor & that Banquo’s son will be king but he will not
What new does Ross bring Macbeth? That he nows hold the Thane of Cawdor
Banquo, like Macbeth, is surprised that the witches have predicted Macbeth’s new title. What does he say about the motives of the “instruments of darkness”? Tell you good things that may happen but without telling the bad consequences
Malcolm describes Cawdor’s last moments before execution. What is Duncan’s reply? You can’t tell what’s in a persons heart by looking at their face/ he built his trust and then was betrayed
Macbeth says, “Stars, hide your fears. Let not light see my black and deep desires.” What are Macbeth’s desires? He wants to become king and he realized that something needs to happen to the present king before he can become king
After Lady Macbeth reads the letter, what does she tell us is her opinion of Macbeth, and how does she plan to help him? She thinks that he is a good king but is too kind-hearted so she’s going to try and talk him into it
What is Lady Macbeth’s “prayer” to the spirits after she learns Duncan is coming? She wants to be filled with cruelty so she asks the spirits to unsex her and make her more manlike so that she can do what needs to be done in order to make Macbeth king
What advice does Lady Macbeth give Macbeth when he arrives home? She told him he needs to look innocent even when his heart is full of evil
What are Macbeth’s arguments to himself against killing Duncan? He says that he has been loyal to him, Duncan is a good king, virtuous man, has done no wrong or evil
What arguments does Lady Macbeth use to convince Macbeth to commit the murder? She tells him not to be a coward, she challenges his manhood, says if she had made the promise to kill her own baby she would do it to keep her promise
What is Lady Macbeth’s plan? She’s going to drug the guards go into the king’s room murder him in his sleep and frame the guards
What is Lady Macbeth doing when we first meet her? Reading a letter that Macbeth gave her
Who does Duncan name as the prince of Cumberland? Malcolm
Why does Duncan give Macbeth a new title? He is rewarding him for great service
What is Macbeth’s lie to Banquo about the witches’ predictions? He said that he doesn’t even think about it
What is the signal Lady Macbeth is to give Macbeth to let him know when she has taken care of the guards? She rings the bell
What excuse does Lady Macbeth give for not killing Duncan herself? He looks like her father when he’s sleeping
After Macbeth kills Duncan, he goes to Lady Macbeth and is concerned about not being able to say “Amen.” What is her advice to him? Don’t think about it too much or it will make him crazy & was the blood off his hands
Then, Macbeth is worried about hearing a voice saying, “Macbeth does murder sleep.” What does Lady Macbeth then tell him to do? Get cleaned up and forget about it/ take the dagger back and smear the blood on the guards
Why won’t Macbeth take the dagger back to the scene of the crime? He was afraid he would get caught & didn’t want to see to think about what he had done
Who was knocking? The Porter, Macduff, and Lennox
What 3 things does drinking provoke? Nose-painting, sleep, and urine
How does Lennox describe the night, and what is Macbeth’s response? Lennox: the night has been unruly, people scream, earth shookMacbeth: ‘Twas a rough night
What did Macduff discover? He found Duncan’s body
What excuse or explanation did Macbeth give for killing the guards? What is his real reason? He said he killed them out of anger or rage/ He actually wanted to get past them to get to the king & so there was no witness to the murder
Why do Malcolm and Donalbain leave? They’re afraid that the king’s murderer would come after them too
Protagonist; ambitious army general in Scotland; viewed as a hero in the onset of the play Macbeth
Wife of Macbeth; very persuasive and aggressive in her marriage Lady Macbeth
King of Scotland King Duncan
Oldest son of King Duncan; prince of Cumberland Malcolm
Youngest son of King Duncan Donalbain
Army general; good, loyal friend to Macbeth Banquo
Hags who can predict the future for Macbeth Three witches
Queen of the witches Hecate
Scottish nobleman and Lord of Life; known for his wisdom and integrity Macduff
Wife of Macduff Lady Macduff
Lennox, Ross, Meneith, Angus, Carthuess: Scottish nobleman
Son of Banquo Fleance
Earl of Northumberland; general of the English for us Siward
Officer attending Macbeth Seyton
Son of Siward Young Siward