The Tragedy of Macbeth (Act 1)

valor marked by courage or bravery
treasons betrays of one’s country or oath of loyalty
imperial of an empire; having supreme authority
liege lord or king
sovereign supreme in power, rank, or authority
Duncan king of Scotland
Malcolm and Donalbain Duncan’s sons
Fleance Banquets son
Siward Earl of Northumberland, general of the English forces
MacbethBanquoMacduffLennoxRossMentheithAngusCaithness noblemen of Scotland
Setting Scotland, England
equivocation a contradiction
three equivocations -“so foul and fair a day I have not seen”-“lesser than macbeth but greater”-“not so happy yet happier”
what do the witches predict for macbeth? -thane of gleams-thane of cawdor-king here after
what do the witches predict for banquo? -lesser than macbeth and greater-not so happy yet much happier-thou shalt get kings, though thou be none
which prophecy comes true immediate? thane of cawdor because the original thane was a traitor and got hung for his crimes
what does macbeth mean when he says “if chance will have me king, why chance may crown me, without my stir” if it’s meant to be then it will and he’ll go with the flow. Fate will lead him to the throne
what is lady macbeth’s thoughts immediately after reading the letter from macbeth? she starts plotting to kill the king because she thinks her husband is a no good yellow bellied wuss and she thinks its up to her to make him him
why is lady macbeth so happy that king duncan is coming to her castle? she thinks it’s fate and she can kill him herself. He’s staying for the night but leaving in a body bag
supply there reasons why macbeth does not want to go along with lady macbeth’s plans -it’s wrong-the king just rewarded him-it’s his king/boss/kinsmen-the king’s a good guy-he wants to go to heaven not hell-he’s the king’s host
by the end of the act what is macbeth’s final decision? he decides to kill king duncan
how does lady macbeth convince macbeth? how does she compare herself to a man? cite two lines she goads him by making fun of his manhood and calling him a coward and what not and then she tells him her brilliant planshe has courage and brilliance, masculine traits as well as the thirst for murder”when you durst do it, then you were a man””and live a coward in thine own esteem”