Macbeth Act Questions

What atmosphere is established in Scene 1? How is it established? Give some examples An atmosphere of chaos and evil is established in Scene 1. This atmosphere is established by thunder, lightning, and 3 evil witches appearing. An example of this is the state direction at the top of the page, “Thunder and lightning. Enter 3 witches.”
How does Banquo describe the witches when he first sees them upon the heath? Banquo describes them as old and ugly, “So withered and so wild in their attire.” He also says that they do no look like “inhabitants of the Earth.” Finally he concludes that they look like woman but their beards hinder him from interpreting their gender.
Macbeth is reported to be a valiant soldier in Act 1. What can you infer from “Till he unsealed him from the nave to the chops and fixed his dead upon our battlements.” It paints a different picture of Macbeth. He might not be as good as he seems because of the necessary, drastically cruel measures he took in war. Also, it shows that once he commits to doing something , he’ll do it and finish it to the fullest extent (foreshadow to the murder of Duncan and others)
In Scene 1 the witches say, “Foul is fair and fair is foul.” Which characters do you consider fair or foul. I consider the captain fair because he fought bravely to protect the King of Scotland. The three witches are found because they killed the women’s husband all because she was rude. The FIRST Thane of Cawdor is foul because he betrayed his king and tried to overthrow him. Macbeth is both (if you don’t know why, read the book–I’m not typing all that out)
Why do you think Shakespeare opened Scene 3 with the witches discussing and evil deed they have committed? Shakespeare opened Scene 3 with the witches discussing and evil deed they committed to progress their character plots. In the first Scene it is evident that they are supernatural. In scene 3 it is revealed that they are truly evil.
What prophecies do the Witches make for Macbeth and Banquo? *****REALLY IMPORTANT The witches prophesied that Macbeth will be the Thane of Cawdor and the King of Scotland. They prophesied Banquo’s children will be kings of Scotland. However, Banquo will not be king himself.
What does Lady Macbeth mean when she says of Macbeth, “Yet do I fear thy nature. It is too full o’ the milk of human kindness to catch the nearest way” Lady Macbeth really wants Macbeth to be king so she can be queen. However, she fears that Macbeth is too nice to do what it takes to be king, killing the current king.
Macbeth is having second thoughts about killing Duncan. What are the reasons he gives? Based on these reasons what does he decide? He has second thoughts about killing Duncan because Duncan trusts him twice as much. He trusts Macbeth as family because they are cousins and as his subject. Because of these reasons, he decides not to kill the king.
What does Lady Macbeth mean when she says, “Was hope drunk wherein you dressed yourself? Hath it slept since? And wakes it now to look so green and pale? Lady Macbeth is basically asking Macbeth if he’s a chicken and too scared to kill Duncan. She’s saying he’s not man enough.
What decision does Macbeth make at the end of Act 1? What has Lady Macbeth said to influence his decision? Macbeth finally decides to kill King Duncan. Lady Macbeth influences him by saying that if she had sworn to smash her babies brains she would do it because she swore to. She uses this story to say to Macbeth that he swore to do this so he needs to go through with it.
What are Baquo’s concerns about the Witches’ prophecy? what is Macbeth’s response? Banquo has a dream about the Witches and is concerned that part of the prophecy has come true. Macbeth responds by saying that he wishes to talk about it later.
What does Macbeth see when Banquo and Fleance leave and what does he say about it. Macbeth sees a dagger that he will use to kill the king. Macbeth says that this weapon will bring King Duncan’s demise and his own demise
What was Lady Macbeth unable to do in Duncan’s chamber and why? Lady Macbeth was unable to kill King Duncan in his sleep because he looks too much like her father (uh what happen to going through with something once you swear to do it?)
What was Macbeth’s reaction when he returned from Duncan’s chamber? What did he say? Macbeth feels so guilty that he killed Duncan. He says that he keeps hearing a voice saying “Sleep no more” because only the innocent sleep and he is no longer innocent.
Who was sleeping in the second chamber? Why did Shakespeare include that information in the play? Donablain and Malcolm, the king’s sons, were sleeping in the second chamber. This is important because those are the 2 closest people that could get past the guards. Therefore, when everyone finds out about he murder, they would be one of the first suspects.
Macbeth is unable to return to Duncan’s chamber with the bloody daggers. Why do you think he fears going back? He is afraid to go back and look at the place where he killed the king because he feels so guilty.
What does Lennox say to Macbeth the previous night? Lenny says that he heard cries of death, saw other ominous things, and felt the Earth shake. This shows the the environment hinted about the forthcoming murder.
Who discover that Duncan has been murdered? Macduff
Why does Macbeth say he has murdered the guards? Macbeth kills the guards because he said he felt angry and sad that the king is dead
As Act 3 begins Banquo is reflecting on what has happened to Macbeth. what three events does he state and what does he hope for himself? Banquo states that Macbeth has become the Thane of Glamis, Thane of Cawdor, and King of Scotland just as the 3 witches promised. He hopes that his part of the prophecy comes true, being the father of many kings.
What reason does Macbeth give the Murderers for wanting Banquo killed? What reason does he give for not doing it himself? Macbeth says that Banquo mistreated and deceived them and caused them misfortune. Those are the reasons why they should kill Banquo. Macbeth cannot kill Banquo because they have too may of the same friends so he might get caught.
Why do you think Macbeth does not tell Lady Macbeth about his plan to murder Banquo and Fleance? Macbeth doesn’t tell his wife about the murder for 2 reasons. One, so she can remain innocent. Two, the less people that know about his plan, the lesser chance he has of getting caught or blamed for the murder.
When Banquo’s ghost enters the banquet what is Macbeth’s reaction? Macbeth cried that they table is full. He starts talking to the ghost saying that he can’t prove that Macbeth killed him.
What does Lady Macbeth say to the guest is the reason for his behavior? Lady Macbeth says the he has been having fits since his youth so don’t worry about him.
Does Macbeth recognize the ghost? How do you know he does? Macbeth does recognize that the ghost is Banquo because he says to the ghost that you cat prove he did the murder
What does Hecate say she is going to do to Macbeth? Why does she think he will respond to her? Hecate says that when the 3 witches meet with Macbeth again they will give him things that will make him feel confident when in reality they are getting justice for the murders. Macbeth will listen because he will be given things that he’ll want to hear.
What does Lennox say about Malcolm, Donalbain, and Fleance? He says that Malcolm and Donalbain killed their father, Duncan. Fleance killed his father, Banquo
Where has Macduff gone and why? Macduff has gone to England to discuss King Duncan’s mysterious murder with Malcolm. Macduff is suspicious of Macbeth.
What does Lennox hope for? He hopes for a fast blessing to fall upon his suffering country that is being ruled by a questionable man.
What are the witches doing at the beginning of Act 4? They witches are conjuring up a spell to call the 3 Apparitions that Macbeth will meet later.
What are the three statements made by the Apparitions? The armed head said to beware of Macduff. The bloody child said to not fear anyone born of a woman. The crowned child said it is impossible for Macbeth to be killed until Birnam Wood comes up Dunsinane Hill. (Dunisnane is where Macbeth lives.)
What is the significance of the witches having the apparitions give the information to Macbeth? Macbeth received the information from spirits higher than the witches. Plus the apparitions symbolize the result of the warning
What does Macbeth decide to do with the information the Witches have given him? He decides to kill Macduff’s family and servants
What does Lady Macduff say is the reason for her husband leaving? Lady Macduff thinks that Macduff was afraid of Macbeth and weak and thats what caused him to flee.
What does Lady Macduff tell her son about his father? How does he respond to her? Lady Macduff tells her son that his father is dead. The son responds by asking if his father was a traitor.
What happened to Lady Macduff and her son. They are killed
Why does Malcolm question Macduff? Malcolm questions macduff because he thinks macduff might be one of macbeth’s spies
What is Malcolm’s reaction to the news? What is Macduff’s? Malcolm reacts by saying that they ought to attack Macbeth. Macduff feels guilty because his family was killed on behalf of his betrayal to macbeth
What do Malcolm and Macduff plan to do? Malcolm an Macduff decide to attack Macbeth.
What does the Doctor say to Macbeth about Lady Macbeth’s condition? What is Macbeth’s reaction? The Doctor concludes that her condition is beyond his practice and she needs spiritual help. Macbeth says that he better figure out a way to cure her or Macbeth will hang him.
What is the Doctor referring to when he says, “Therein the patient Must minister to himself?” He is saying that she has guilty conscience from committing horrible things. In order to hear her, she must confess her sins and seek professional help.
What does the Messenger tell Macbeth he sees coming toward Dunsinane? How does Macbeth respond? The Messenger tells Macbeth that Birnam Wood began to move towards Dunsinane. Macbeth responds in fear and tells everyone to get ready to fight.
What does Macduff vow to do to Macbeth and why? Macduff says that he has to be the one to kill Macbeth or else his wife and kid’s ghost will continue to haunt him forever.
What difference can you cite between Macbeth’s army and Malcolm’s army? Malcolm’s army is passionate about fighting and the soldiers are loyal to him. Macbeth;s army is only fighting for him because they are afraid of him.
Whom does Macbeth kill in Act 5? Do you feel that is important? Why or why not? Macbeth kills the young Siward. This is important for 2 reasons. One, this shows that he has a character change. At first he was scared to kill anyone (King Duncan) but now he will kill anyone that gets in his way. Two it shows that he believes the prophecy of no one borne of a woman can harm him.
What does Macbeth say to Macduff about his morality? What is Macduff’s response? How does Macbeth react? Macbeth tells Macduff that he cannot kill Macbeth because he is born of a woman. Macduff then informs Macbeth that he was prematurely ripped form his mother’s womb so he;s technically not born of a woman. Macbeth becomes scared to fight Macduff because of the prophecy (beware Macduff).
What does Ross tell Siward about Siward’d son? Ross tells Siward that his son is dead (young Siward) but that he died like a man.
What does Malcolm say about Macbeth and Lady Macbeth? Malcolm calls Macbeth a tyrant and a dead butcher. Malcolm calls Lady Macbeth a fiend and said she committed suicide.
What title has never been used before in Scotland that Malcolm plans to use on his Thanes and kinsman? He proclaims that his Thanes and kinsman will now be called earls.
August 21, 2019