Name

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Macbeth study guide questions: Act One

1. What might be the point of the first scene both literally and in reference to the whole
play?

2. Briefly retell the Captain’s story about Macbeth in Act I, Scene 2

3. What is Macbeth’s title at the end of Scene 2?

4. What do the witches predict in Act I, Scene 3 for Macbeth? For Banquo?

Macbeth:

Banquo:

5. What news does Ross bring Macbeth near the end of scene 3?

6. Banquo, like Macbeth, is surprised that the witches have predicted Macbeth’s new
title. What does he say about the motives of the “instruments of darkness?” (copy down
the passage and decipher its meaning)

7. In her monologue in Act I Scene 5, how does Lady Macbeth say she will help
Macbeth?
 8. What arguments does Lady Macbeth use to convince Macbeth to commit the murder
and what is her plan?

Macbeth Character List

Briefly explain WHO each character is in the play, and write a little bit about what you
know of their MOTIVATIONS

The Three Witches:

Macbeth:

Lady Macbeth:

Banquo:

Duncan:

Malcolm:

Donalbain:
 Macbeth literary terms

Define each term and provide and example from the play where helpful

Denotation:

Connotation:

Stress:

Inflection:

Soliloquy:

Dramatic Irony:

Mood:

Instructions: For the following passages, identify (1) the speaker, (2) who is being spoken to,
(3) what’s going on during the play when this passage occurs (and what characters are thinking
when they speak these lines) and (4) why this passage is relevant to the plot.
1. Stay, you imperfect speakers. Tell me more. /By Sinel’s death
I know I am Thane of Glamis./ But how of Cawdor? The Thane
of Cawdor lives….(1.3.73-5)

2. The Prince of Cumberland! That is a step/ On which I must fall

down or else o’erleap/ For in my way it lies. Stars, hide your
fires;/ Let not light see my black and deep desires. (1.4.55-9)
3. To beguile the time,/Look like the time. Bear welcome in your
eye,/Your hand, your tongue. Look like th’ innocent flower/But be
the serpent under ‘t. (1.5.69-71)

4. Come, you spirits/That tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me

here,/And fill me from the crown to the toe top-full/
of direct cruelty. (1.5.42-45)

5. He’s here in double trust:/First, as I am his kinsman and his

subject,/Strong both against the deed;/then, as his host,/Who
should against his murderer shut the door,/ not bear the knife
myself. (1.7.12-6)

6. We will proceed no further in this business./He hath honored me

of late, and I have brought/Golden opinions from all sorts of
people,/Which would be worn now in their newest gloss,/
Not cast aside so soon. (1.7.34-8)