| ACT 1 SCENE 4 | ACT 1 SCENE 4 |
| How does Malcolm say the execution of the Thane of Cawdor went? | Well, he confessed to everything |
| Who is Malcolm? | Duncan’s oldest son |
| What does Duncan deem Malcolm to be? | Prince of Cumberland |
| Who does Duncan thank and why? | Banquo and Macbeth for their performance in battle and loyalty |
| Where does Duncan reveal he will go? | Inverness |
| Prince of Cumberland | Someone who is set to inherit the throne |
| Why is Macbeth upset that Malcolm is Prince of Cumberland? | The title of Prince of Cumberland wasn’t hereditary, so Macbeth assumed he would get it because he did so well in battle. Also, with Malcolm as Prince of Cumberland, it’s harder for Macbeth to become king and fulfill the prophecy. |
| How does Macbeth change when he’s talking to Duncan vs. in his aside? | While talking to Duncan, Macbeth is polite and speaks eloquently. In his aside, Macbeth is aggressive and talks mostly uses monosyllabic words. |
| What are some character traits of Duncan? | Trusting (maybe too much), gracious, and a strong ruler. |
| “There’s no art to find the mind’s construction in the face” | You can’t tell what someone’s thinking based on their face. The theme that looks are deceiving reoccurs. |
| “He was a gentleman on whom I built absolute trust” | Dramatic Irony – Macbeth enters as Duncan says this. Duncan trusts Macbeth, but only the audience knows that he’s planning to murder Duncan. |
| “That is a step on which I must fall down, or else over-leap.” | Macbeth can either give up on being king or overcome it (possibly murdering Duncan in the process). At this point, Macbeth doesn’t believe that the prophecy will fulfill itself. |
| ACT 1 SCENE 5 | ACT 1 SCENE 5 |
| Why doesn’t Lady Macbeth think Macbeth can carry out the murder? | She says he’s too kind, saintly, merciful, ambitious, and honorable |
| What is Lady Macbeth’s personality? | She is determined and will do anything to push her husband to greatness. |
| How does Lady Macbeth tell Macbeth to act? | Peaceful, as if everything is normal. |
| Soliloquy | Dialogue in which a character is alone on stage. It presents their thoughts and is usually lengthy. |
| What does Lady Macbeth call on the spirits to do? | Make her evil |
| Is Macbeth’s whole letter shown? | No |
| What is the role of femininity? | To become evil, Lady Macbeth removes her femininity. It is also shown that she is becoming aggressive and taking control – traits that are usually credited to men. |
| Beguile | To lie |
| Harbinger | Messenger |
| “Look like th’innocent flower, but be the serpent under’t” | Metaphor – This is another example of the theme that looks are deceiving. Lady Macbeth is telling Macbeth to look peaceful, but be ruthless inside. |
| “Unsex me” | This is a gender reversal in which Lady Macbeth asks for her femininity to be removed to allow her to commit murder. |
| “Come to my woman’s breasts, and take my milk for gall” | Imagery – Lady Macbeth is replacing her femininity with poison, essentially. Her motherly qualities are being stripped away. |
| ACT 1 SCENE 6 | ACT 1 SCENE 6 |
| How does Lady Macbeth greet Duncan? | She’s very polite, thanks Duncan for honoring Macbeth, says they’re glad he’s visiting, and says that they’re at his disposal. |
| What is the weather around Inverness? | There are pleasant breezes and birds build nests. |
| What does Duncan ask Lady Macbeth? | Where Macbeth is because he left Duncan’s castle quickly instead of waiting for him. |
| How does the weather play a role? | Lady Macbeth is putting up a cordial front, and the weather reflects that. |
| ACT 1 SCENE 7 | ACT 1 SCENE 7 |
| How does Macbeth justify killing Duncan in his soliloquy? | He is driven by ambition If he does it quickly, there will be no time to second guess himself and most likely no consequences |
| How does Macbeth not justify killing Duncan in his soliloquy? | He may be punishedDuncan is a good man and rulerHe’s a thane and a subject to Duncan so it’s his duty to protect himAs Duncan’s host, he should stop a murderer not be oneHe is trusted my DuncanIt would be against GodDuncan has honored him multiple timesMacbeth is well-loved and has a good reputation |
| How does the soliloquy start and end? | With justifications for murdering Duncan |
| What is Macbeth’s decision after his soliloquy? | To not murder Duncan |
| How does Lady Macbeth convince Macbeth to carry out the murder? | She calls him a cowardShe says he was only a real man when he was considering the murderShe says she’d rather smash the head of a newborn baby while breastfeeding than go against her word and not kill DuncanShe says she has a “fool-proof” plan so they won’t fail |
| What is Lady Macbeth’s plan for the murder? | Get a couple of guards drunk, murder Duncan, then frame the guards because they won’t remember anything |
| What are some examples of imagery in Macbeth’s soliloquy and are the merciful or murderous? | “poisoned chalice” (murder)”trumpet-tongued angels” (mercy)”bloody knife” (murder)”naked newborn babe” (mercy)”heaven’s cherubin horsed” (mercy)”tears drowning the wind” (mercy) |
| What does Macbeth’s soliloquy reveal? | His troubled state of mind |
| “The poor cat i’th’adage” | This a reference to a proverb in which a cat wants a fish, but is scared of water. Lady Macbeth is explaining that Macbeth wants kingship, but won’t do what it takes to get it. |
| “Away, and mock the time with fairest show, False face must hide what the false heart knows” | Last lines of Act 1. Reflect previous themes like “fair is foul and foul is fair,” the flower and the snake, and the idea that you can’t tell what someone is thinking |
| What does a couplet signify? | Something important |
Macbeth Act 1 Scenes 4-7
August 22, 2019