Macbeth Review

What happens when the murderers try to kill Banquo and Fleance? They kill Banquo and let Fleance escape.
Why doesn’t Lady Macbeth kill Duncan? She thought the king resembled her father.
What is suspicious about what Malcolm and Donalbain do after King Duncan is murdered? They flee making them look suspicious of the murder.
How does Lady Macbeth feel about King Duncan’s murder? She is satisfied that he is dead and thinks Macbeth is a coward.
What reaction does Macbeth have to the ghost at dinner? Macbeth becomes upset and feels guilty.
Besides ambition, what is another aspect of Macbeth’s tragic flaw that is created by the witches? He becomes arrogant.
What hallucinations does Lady Macbeth have? She’s trying to wash the blood off her hands.
What does Lady Macbeth do in her sleep? She rubs her hands together as if washing off the blood.
How does the gentlewoman feel about Macbeth? She’s worried that Lady Macbeth will kill herself.
Why does Macbeth finally leave his castle to fight? He’s confident because “no man born of a woman” can kill him.
Why does Malcolm trying to convince Macduff that he has so many flaws as a leader? He wants to see if he can trust Macduff.
What do Macbeth and Macduff have in common at the end of Act IV? They are both aware of their sins.
What title did King Duncan first give to Macbeth? Thane of Cawdor.
What are Banquo’s three prophecies? His sons will be king; He will be happy but not too happy; He will be lesser than Macbeth, and greater.
Why does Macduff join Malcolm in England? He is suspicious about Macbeth because he came king and it is later revenge for killing his family.
What happened to the first Thane of Cawdor? He was executed for being a traitor.
What emotion does Lady Macbeth show in her sleepwalking scene? Guilt.
Why did the servants look guilty of Duncan’s murder? They had the blood from the daggers on them.
Why does Lady Macbeth think Macbeth will not go through with the murder? She thinks that he is a coward and not a man.
What is ironic about the way Duncan treats Macbeth in the first part of the play? He treats him well but Macbeth ends up killing him.
How does Macbeth convince the murderers to follow his instructions? He promises to be loyal to them.
Why can Macduff kill Macbeth? Macduff was born unnaturally, so technically not “born of a woman.”
Why is Young Siward’s father concerned about his death? Because he was a noble man and and wants to know why Macbeth kill him.
What kind of king will Malcolm become and why? He will become king of Scotland and he will be a grateful king.
What are the visions that Macbeth has? The vision of the bloody dagger.
What is ironic about Duncan’s arrival to Macbeth’s castle? The castle used to be under Duncan’s rule.
What does Macduff say he must “feel as a man”? He must be a man although he feels guilty.
How did Birnam Wood come to Dunsinane? Malcolm orders his soldiers to cut down the trees of Birnam Wood and move them to Dunsinane.
Macduff Scottish Nobleman who is spiteful and wants the throne against Macbeth.
Banquo Noble leader whose children are supposed to take the throne; Macbeth’s friend killed by Macbeth.
Lady Macbeth Wife of the new king; very devious but dies due to guilt and regret.
Macbeth Scottish nobleman who commits many murders to become king.
Siward A leader of the rebellious fight against Macbeth.
Malcolm Son of King Duncan who becomes Macbeth’s opponent with Macduff’s help.
Duncan The good king of Scotland who is murdered by Macbeth.
Hecate The man witch who is upset with the other witches for Macbeth’s given prophecies.
Ross Scottish nobleman who is somewhat neutral and informs Macduff of his family’s death.
Donalbain The second-born of King Duncan.
Tragedy A play with tragic events and an unhappy ending, especially with the downfall of the main character.
Aside A remark that is intended to be heard by the audience but unheard by other characters in the play.
Catharsis Provides relief for strong or repressed emotions.
Tragic Hero Literary character that makes a judgment error that inevitably leads to his or her own self-destruction.
Hubris Excessive pride or self-confidence.
Comic Relief Comic episodes the offset more serious scenes.
Soliloquy Speaking one’s thoughts aloud when by oneself or regardless of any hearers.
September 4, 2019