Macbeth: Act I Reading and Study Guide

hurly-burly noisy disorder and confusion
thane a member of an aristocratic class and holds land
whence from what place
valor bravery
minion loyal servant
aught anything
prophetic predicting future event as if by supernatural forces
surmise guess based on incomplete facts
harbinger sign of future events
adage a saying that expresses a common observation; proverb
ancient Roman goddess of war Who was Bellona?
aside a remark made quietly so as to be heard by a select group of people and not by others who are near by; In Shakespeare’s play, sometimes a character makes an _________ to the audience
soliloquy lines spoken by one character on stage; these lines are not meant to be heard by anyone; ____________ function to communicate a character’s inner thoughts and usually communicate an internal conflict
Macbeth Who will the witches meet?
Malcolm wants the Captain to tell Duncan what happened in the battle What does Malcolm ask the Captain to tell Duncan?
“Brave Macbeth” What name does Macbeth deserve?
a. Macbethb. Macdonwald The captain says, “Till he unseamed him from the nave to the chops / And fixed his head upon our battlements.” a. Who is the person doing the “unseaming?”b. Who is the person being unseamed?
Thane of Cawdor What title do they give Macbeth after the battle?
Thane of Glamis What title did Macbeth already have?
Thane of Glamis, Thane of Cawdor, and the “king hereafter” or the “king of all things” The witches greet Macbeth by three titles. What are the three?
They say that Banquo will not rule Scotland, but he will be the father of future kings. (meaning the generations to come in his family will rule Scotland) What prophecy do the witches give to Banquo?
He says the “instruments of darkness” (the witches) are capable of telling the truth about things. What does Banquo say the “instruments of darkness” are capable of doing?
Because the prophecy was coming true, piece by piece. In Macbeth’s short soliloquy, he argues that the witches’ prophecy cannot be “ill” because why?
He imagines killing Duncan In this short soliloquy, he argues that it cannot be good. What images does he conjure that makes him feel frightened?
He thinks it might be possible to be King without killing anyone. To satisfy his fear, Macbeth thinks it might be possible to be King without what?
He says that all of Macbeth’s new titles and responsibilities are throwing him off What reason does Banquo give to Ross and Angus for Macbeth’s odd behavior?
Malcolm says Cawdor confessed, and then died nobly. What does Malcolm report Cawdor did at his execution?
King Duncan “There is no art / To find the mind’s construction in the face. / He was a gentleman on whom I built / An absolute trust.” Who is speaking?
Duncan is saying it’s impossible to tell what a man’s really thinking just by his face. He’s saying that he thought the former Thane of Cawdor was a “gentleman” he could trust, but he turned out to be a traitor. “There is no art / To find the mind’s construction in the face. / He was a gentleman on whom I built / An absolute trust.”Paraphrase these lines.
He feels bad because the only thing he has to repay Macbeth is a hug. For what does Duncan apologize to Macbeth?
Duncan announces that Malcolm is the successor to the throne. What does Duncan announce about Malcolm?
Inverness is where Macbeth’s castle is Duncan says that they should go to “Inverness.” What is Inverness?
Macbeth says that he is a “stone” that needs to be stepped on or stepped over. What does Macbeth say about the Prince of Cumberland?