| ACT I | ACT I |
| Scene 1 | Scene 1 |
| What characters are introduced in scene 1? | The three witches |
| How would you interpret the line “fair is foul, and foul is fair?” | Something can appear to be fair but it is foul and vice versa |
| What specific plan is mentioned? | The witches will meet again but with Macbeth on the hill after the battle at sunset |
| Scene 2 | Scene 2 |
| What three men are leading troops into battle against Duncan? | Macdonwald, Thane of Cawdor, King of Norway (Sweeno) |
| Who defeated and killed Macdonwald? | Macbeth |
| What is to be the Thane of Cawdor’s punishment for his traitorous activities? | Executed and title given to Macbeth |
| Who will receive his title? | Macbeth |
| Scene 3 | Scene 3 |
| What revenge does the witch plan for the sailor whose wife wouldn’t share her chestnuts? | She was going to start a terrible storm that would attack the sailor’s ship |
| What does this indicate about the witches powers? | His boat cannot e lost but the witches can mess with it |
| What predictions do the witches make about Macbeth? | That he will become Thane of Cawdor, Thane of Glamis, and King |
| How does Macbeth react the way he does to the witches predictions? | He is enthralled and entranced |
| What prediction do the witches make for Banquo? | Banquo will be lesser than Macbeth but greater |
| What is the “horrid image” Macbeth speaks of? | The bloody dagger that he will kill Duncan with |
| Scene 4 | Scene 4 |
| What further reward does Macbeth hope to receive from Duncan? | The crown |
| Who is named to succeed Duncan to the throne? | His son Malcom, Prince of Cumberland |
| How does Macbeth react to the announcement? | He is offended and appalled |
| Where is Duncan to spend the night? | At Macbeth’s castle in Inverness |
| Scene 5 | Scene 5 |
| What does the nature of the letter reveal about Macbeth’s relationship with his wife? | They are close in their marriage and she is given a lot of power |
| How does Lady Macbeth characterize her husband? | He is too kind |
| Why does Lady Macbeth call upon the spirits to “unsex” her? | Because she wants to become evil, like a man, but without any remorse |
| What warning does she give Macbeth? | She’s going to kill Malcolm |
| Scene 6 | Scene 6 |
| What action takes place in scene 6? | Everyone arrives in Inverness |
| How does Lady Macbeth greet Duncan? | Pleasingly |
| Scene 7 | Scene 7 |
| In his soliloquy, what reasons does Macbeth give for not wanting to kill Duncan? | He is his kinsman and subject, he serves him |
| What reason against the murder does he give Lady Macbeth? | Duncan has done nothing but honor him, and the public would hate him for killing him |
| What does Lady Macbeth imply about Macbeth’s love for her? | That he is a coward |
| What finally causes Macbeth to decide to commit the murder? | Lady Macbeth said it would make him a man |
| ACT II | ACT II |
| Scene 1 | Scene 1 |
| What “cursed thoughts” does Banquo have? | He’s been dreaming about the witches |
| What lie does Macbeth tell Banquo? | He isn’t thinking about the witches |
| What is the meaning of Banquo’s answer to Macbeth? | He will not loose honor to receive more honor |
| What causes Macbeth to think he sees a dagger? | Confliction with killing Duncan |
| At the end of scene 1, a bell rings. What is the significance of this? | His decision to go on with killing Duncan |
| Scene 2 | Scene 2 |
| What omen of death doe Lady Macbeth hear? | The owl’s scream and the cricket’s cry |
| Why does Lady Macbeth say she did not commit the murder herself | Duncan looked like her father in the moment |
| What words about himself does Lady Macbeth believe he hears? | He will never sleep again |
| Both Macbeth and Lady comment upon the effectiveness of water in cleansing away their involvement in the deed. How do they differ? | Macbeth– the water cannot wash it awayLady Macbeth– water will wash it away |
| Scene 3 | Scene 3 |
| Why has Macduff come to Macbeth’s castle? | To call on Duncan |
| What unusual things happen to Macduff and Lennox during the night? | There was an uproar, chimneys fell, screams of death in the night |
| Who discovers the murder? | Macduff |
| Why does Macbeth kill the king’s men? | He loved Duncan so much that he was angry that the guards did not protect Duncan |
| Why might Lady Macbeth pretend to faint? | Because Macbeth just made everything worse and her fainting leaves her out of the mess |
| What actions to Malcom and Donalbain take? | Make plans to leave town so it doesn’t look like they killed their dad |
| Scene 4 | Scene 4 |
| Ross and the old man discuss the strange events occurring. How are these strange events similar? | Macbeth disloyal to Duncan, but then he killed him |
| How does popular opinion account for the murder? | Everyone thinks Malcom and Donalbain did it |
| Who is named king? | Macbeth |
| Why does Macduff not plan to attend Macbeth’s coronation? | Everything was better in the past |
| ACT III | ACT III |
| Scene 1 | Scene 1 |
| What suspicions does Banquo voice? What does he say that lets us know what he suspects? | he probably thinks Macbeth did it |
| Who besides Banquo knows of the witches’ prophecies? | Macbeth and Lady Macbeth |
| Why does Macbeth question Banquo about his plans? | Because he is plotting Banquo’s death and they need to know where he is |
| In lines 49-72, what suspicions does Macbeth harbor? | That he is plotting Macbeth’s death so that his children will be kings. |
| What does Macbeth tell the murderers about Banquo? | That Banquo has wronged them by doing bad things to convince the murderes they are killing him for a good reason |
| According to Macbeth, why does he himself not kill Banquo? | And because he doesn’t want to lose his friends |
| Who else are the murders to kill? | Fleance |
| Scene 2 | Scene 2 |
| What is the meaning of Lady Macbeth’s saying, “Naught’s had, all’s spent, Where our desire is got without content”? | They are King and Queen but there not happy |
| In lines 13-22, from what affliction does Macbeth suffer? | The guilt again of the murder and terrible dreams |
| In line 35, Lady Macbeth says, “You must leave this.” What does she mean? | He has to get over his guilt |
| Is Lady Macbeth aware that Macbeth has planned the death of Banquo and Fleance? | No |
| how is the planning of Banquo’s murder different from that of Duncan’s? | They hired murderers to do it instead of themselves committing the crime, easier, and its Macbeth’s plan not Lady Macbeth’s plan. |
| Scene 3 | Scene 3 |
| Who is murdered in scene 3? | Banquo |
| Who escapes in scene 3 with the fail of the murder? | Fleance |
| What is Banquo’s dying request of Fleance? | To advenge Banquo’s death |
| Scene 4 | Scene 4 |
| What activity opens scene four? | Murderes come ot the banquet at Macbeth’s castle to tell him about the murder |
| Who joins the assembled group, sitting in Macbeth’s place? | Ghost of Banquo |
| How does Lady Macbeth explain Macbeth’s reaction? | She said he looks like he has the sickness that is from his childhood |
| What is Lady Macbeth’s reaction to Macbeth’s claim of seeing Banquo’s ghost? | That she thinks he is just ill |
| To what other event in the play is this ghostly appearance similar? | the dagger |
| Why does Lady Macbeth ask everyone to leave? | So that they do not see what Macbeth is doing for example talking to the ghost |
| Who refused the banquet invitation? | Macduff |
| What is Macbeth’s plan for the next day? | To go and talk to the three witches about him still being king and sends for Macduff |
| To what does Macbeth attribute his condition? | He’s new to murdering and still has guilt and once he keeps killing he will get used to it |
| Scene 5 | Scene 5 |
| What does Hecate plan to do? | Further plot Macbeth’s downfall |
| Scene 6 | Scene 6 |
| What is implied in Lennox’s speech at the opening of scene six? | That he suspious of Macbeth |
| Where has Macduff gone? | To england to find Malcolm |
| What does he hope to do? | Build up forces to go against Macbeth |
| What purpose does scene six serve? | Reveal that people believe Macbeth killed Duncan |
MACBETH ACTS 1-3
August 5, 2019